From left: Kris Folsom, marketing and communications director for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, discusses the importance of branding as Dream Local Digital founder and Client Success Officer Shannon Kinney looks on. (Maia Zewert photo)
The Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission office was filled almost to capacity Thursday, March 9, as people from around the county gathered to learn about social media and digital marketing and branding.
Over the past year, people across Lincoln County have been clamoring for a workshop about social media and how to use it for their businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations, according to Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Mary Ellen Barnes. “We listened and put this on the calendar as soon as we could,” she said.
The amount of interest generated a waiting list of people wanting to attend the event, Barnes said.
During the workshop, Dream Local Digital founder and Client Success Officer Shannon Kinney gave a general overview about how people use social media and the different platforms businesses can use to reach their customers.
Dream Local Digital founder and Client Success Officer Shannon Kinney talks about social media platforms during a workshop at the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission office on Thursday, March 9. (Maia Zewert photo)
Founded in January 2009, Rockland-based Dream Local Digital helps businesses across the U.S. and Canada with digital marketing and social media.
Kinney encouraged the audience to “think like the consumer” and develop a strategic plan for social media that allows the business to meet its objectives, whether those are growing audience, building engagement, or other goals.
Kris Folsom, marketing and communications director for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, spoke about the effective use of social media, the “word of mouth of today.” Folsom also touched on the importance of branding.
Joining Kinney and Folsom were Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Governor’s Account Executive Jaimie Logan and Amy Bassett, the district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Maine office.
Based on the comments she heard from attendees, Barnes said the workshop was well-received, and plans are currently underway for a follow-up workshop.
“We’re hoping to get some feedback and design a more focused workshop in the future that will be more focused on specific needs,” Barnes said.
