News

New Training Sessions Help Build Digital Marketing Skills

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:55:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 2, 2012

For further information:
Cathy von Birgelen/814-898-6547
vonbirgelen@emarketinglearningcenter.org

ERIE, PA - Today, digital experience is in demand and keeping your skills up to date is the key to having a competitive advantage for working professionals. The eMarketing Learning Center’s Winter/Spring 2012 program is adding new and expanded classes to help working professionals master the basics of digital media and marketing. Some of the sessions will be shorter and more narrowly focused allowing for a “deep dive” into various strategies and tactics.

For example, “Link Development” an important component of search engine marketing, will be one of our first in-depth sessions, providing a level of information typically not fully covered in a “fundamentals” workshop. This class, presented by expert, Adam Yakish of Myriad Core, will be held on February 16, 2012 at the eMarketing Learning Center.

Additional topics scheduled include Intro to Photoshop, HTML Basics and Blogging for Beginners. For a complete list of sessions or to sign up for a class today, visit: www.emarketinglearningcenter.org.

Cathy von Birgelen, Director of the eMarketing Learning Center explains, “Today, there’s a real demand on business professionals to expand their skills in digital media and e-marketing. Our Program offers a mix of affordable, focused training sessions that are tailored to the needs of busy professionals who don’t have the time or the budget to spend days at a training seminar.”

About the eMarketing Learning Center

The eMarketing Learning Center (eMLC), an initiative of the Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum, offers education and training programs designed to help businesses and working professional’s bridge skill gaps with emerging technologies for competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Training includes Internet, search engine and email marketing, social media and mobile marketing, web design and writing for the web. For more information, see http://www.emarketinglearningcenter.org.

Expert in Creating Online Content Coming to Our Area!

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:58:00 GMT

For further information:
Cathy von Birgelen/814-898-6547
vonbirgelen@emarketinglearningcenter.org

ERIE, PA - Web copywriting expert, Holly Buchanan, is sharing her expertise on how to create Online content that produces optimal results. Ms. Buchanan is a sought-after copywriter and marketing consultant who has worked with clients including Waterford, GE Healthcare, Hewlett Packard, Genworth Financial, and American General. In addition to her work with a variety of different industries, she is the co-author of “The Soccer Mom Myth - Today's Female Consumer, Who She Really Is, Why She Really Buys.”

According to Ms. Buchanan, “Learning to connect and communicate with your audience through copy is an essential skill in today’s online marketplace. Tests show huge increases in conversion rates (sales) with even minor changes to the copy.”

The half-day seminar titled, “Writing for the Web: Learn how to Communicate with and Convert Visitors Online”, is being offered on September 28, 2011. The session will cover how to write persuasive copy, creating a consistent voice, and how writing for the web differs from creating traditional copy. Early Bird Rate $125 Expires 9/16/2011 – Two or More $99 each - Regular Rate $169.

Register Online at www.emarketinglearningcenter.org .
8:30 AM -12:00 Noon
Knowledge Center’s Jordon Room At Knowledge Park
5240 Knowledge Parkway Erie, PA

This event will also be held in Harrisburg on September 27, 2011 from 8:30 AM – 12:00 Noon.
Giant - Blue Mountain Commons Community Center
Susquehanna Room - 2nd Floor

About the eMarketing Learning Center

The eMarketing Learning Center (eMLC), an initiative of the Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum (http://www.cnpbenfranklin.org), offers education and training programs designed to help business and workforce professionals bridge skill gaps with emerging technologies for competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Topics such as developing an online sales and marketing strategy, understanding search engine marketing, creating eNewsletters, blogging, integrating social media and writing for websites. For more information, see http://www.emarketinglearningcenter.org.

EXPLORE THE LATEST TRENDS IN SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:27:00 GMT

For more information:
Ms. Cathy von Birgelen
The eMarketing Learning Center
814-898-6547/Cxv17@psu.edu

ERIE, PA- Mr. Neal Rabogliatti, an eStrategy consultant from Catalyst Connection in Pittsburgh, PA will be back in Erie on April 13, 2011 to share his insights on current practices in search engine marketing (SEM).

The event, which is sponsored by the eMarketing Learning Center, the NW Industrial ResourceCenter, and the Erie Chamber and Growth Partnership, will be held in the Jordan Room at Knowledge Center, located at 5240 Knowledge Parkway, beginning with registration at 8:30 AM.

The focus of Mr. Rabogliatti’s seminar will be on the formulas that help your business increase its overall “Findability.” Trends in SEM related to Keyword Relevancy, Content Marketing, Social Media and SEO, Mobile Search, and the Future for Search, will all be discussed.

Sign up for the seminar before March 31, 2011 to take advantage of the Early Bird Special. Send two or more attendees and receive a discount.

For more details about the event or to register visit the eMarketing Learning Center.

The eMarketing Learning Center is Now Part of the Ben Franklin Program

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:32:00 GMT

ERIE, PA – The Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum (BFVIF) and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA (BFTP/CNP) are pleased to announce that the eMarketing Learning Center (eMLC), formerly an initiative of the Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT, will now offer its training through the Ben Franklin/VIF program.

Cathy von Birgelen, the Director of the eMLC commented, “In this digital age, an emerging or growing company’s success depends on having the level of knowledge and skills required to market and sell products/services online. I’m pleased to be able to continue to offer this type of training under the Ben Franklin umbrella.”

The eMarketing Learning Center has a long history of partnering with groups and associations to teach best practices on implementing strategies that help generate leads, increase sales, and improve overall website traffic. Other entities that may have an interest in hosting a training session of this nature should contact Cathy at vonbirgelen@emarketinglearningcenter.org Visit the eMLC’s Website to learn more about training topics that will soon be available.

For further information, contact:
Cathy von Birgelen / eMarketing Learning Center
814-898-6547
vonbirgelen@emarketinglearningcenter.org

GOOGLE ANALYTICS TRAINING SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 4TH: UNDERSTAND WHAT CAPTIVATES WEB SITE VISITORS

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:52:00 GMT

Erie, PA (February 26, 2010) - Web site analytics are the key to understanding how customers interact with a Web site. Which pages are they visiting? How long do they spend on your site? Which features are most important to them? Coming March 4, from 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m., at the Knowledge Center in Erie, Pennsylvania is the highly sought after Google Analytics Training Seminar.

This course is an opportunity for retailers, service businesses, manufacturers, and nonprofits alike to gain a greater understanding of how Web site visitors are interacting and using their Web pages. This course is hosted by the eMarketing Learning Center and will be led by Jonathan Weber from LunaMetrics, a Google Analytics Certified Web Analyst.

Being able to understand and analyze Web metrics is an imperative aspect of marketing in today's digital environment. That is why the Google Analytics Training Seminar is perfect for those in any industry. Similar training in large markets can cost nearly $499, but marketers can attend this Google Analytics Training for less than half that price!

“This course will show attendees how Google Analytics can help businesses understand how customers use their Web site and even how Google Analytics can help them decide on changes to make to a Web site. This very affordable, information packed one day course will be well worth the time of any marketer or Web site administrator looking to get maximum value and impact on their site,” said Cathy von Birgelen, Director of the eMarketing Learning Center.

Attendees will gain a vast understanding of Google Analytics. The seminar will also dig a little deeper and take a look at the seven newest Google Analytics features. Including, custom reports, advanced segments, intelligence and alerts. Every individual is sure to benefit from this opportunity.

Attendees will learn how:

1. To use Google Analytics to create insights about your Web site and its visitors.

2. To Google's Web site optimizer to test improvements to your Web site.

3. To get the rest of your business to support your metrics initiatives.

4. To increase traffic through SEO, Adwords and email marketing.

For registration and a complete agenda for the Google Analytics Training visit the eMarketing Learning Center’s site.

SIX OPPORTUNITIES FOR NONPROFITS TO OPERATE MORE EFFECTIVELY IN ONLINE CHANNEL

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:31:00 GMT

A series of six training and professional development programs for nonprofits are being offered by a partnership between The Nonprofit Partnership and the eMarketing Learning Center @ eBizITPA. This opportunity aids nonprofits in the understanding and application of e-marketing best practices, strategies, tools and services to operate more efficiently and effectively though the online channels. These six training programs offers a mix of benchmark practices, case studies and scenarios that focus on how nonprofits are using internet marketing in an effort to help nonprofits enhance and nurture relationships with current constituents and future prospects. Helping promote programs and services to subscribers by encouraging loyalty with donations and volunteers will strengthen opening communication in online channels for nonprofits.

On January 27, 2010 the DIY Email Workshop was the kickoff for the strategic alliance between the eMarketing Learning Center and the Nonprofit Partnership. The half-day workshop was made up of two components: the first part focused on email marketing best practices and fundamentals and the second part walked participants through using an email marketing hosting tool to create, send and track an email message.

The workshop filled with eager participants representing nonprofit organization’s in the Erie and surrounding communities. The range of these nonprofits covered several different spectrums, such as social services, arts, community asset organizations and many more. Although each representative came to the class with different objectives for their organization, many agreed that the workshop was extremely helpful, especially the hands-on part of the session. Each of these nonprofits not only learned how easily and effectively an email can be created and distributed, but they also had a lot of fun using the tool and walking through the marketing scenario provided by the email marketing service provider, EnnectTM.

These six training sessions will offer both how to and hands on experience to all those in attendance in order to get them in the right direction in becoming successful within the online channel. The remaining hands on workshops will include the following topics:
-   Google Grants (March 25, 2010)
-   Event Marketing (May 20, 2010)
-   Social Media (July 29, 2010)
-   Development of a Webinar (September 30, 2010)
-   Creating an Request for Proposal Webinar (November 18, 2010)

For more information regarding the seminar or for other educational opportunities offered by eMLC visit our website @ www.eMarktingLearningCenter.org.

Small Businesses and Organizations Find Email Marketing Easy with the eMarketing Learning Center's Hands-On Email Marketing Workshop

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:16:00 GMT

On Wednesday, November 11th, the eMarketing Learning Center (eMLC) presented a Hands-On Email Marketing Workshop in partnership with Edinboro University in Meadville. The workshop took place in the Bessemer Center on Edinboro University's Meadville campus from 8:30am to 12:00pm.

Last week's session was the pilot for the eMarketing Learning Center's Hands-On Email Marketing Workshop. The half-day workshop was split into two parts: the first part focused on email marketing best practices and fundamentals and the second part walked participants through using an email marketing hosting tool to create, send and track an email message.

The workshop filled quickly with participants representing a host of companies and industries. The industries represented included everything from manufacturing, architecture and engineering to service industries and nonprofits. Most participants were beginner email marketers who were looking to gain a solid foundation in how to effectively use email as part of their marketing strategy and gain experience in using an email marketing tool.

Although attendees had different objectives for attending the workshop, participants agreed that the workshop was extremely helpful, especially the hands-on part of the session. Attendees not only learned how easily and effectively an email can be created and distributed, but they also had a lot of fun using the tool and walking through the marketing scenario provided by the email marketing service provider, EnnectTM.

With the success of last week's pilot, the eMarketing Learning Center plans to offer a series of hands-on workshops throughout the state, working with other partners interested in bringing these programs to their area. "The purpose of the workshops is to help small and medium-sized organizations connect with using online marketing technologies to help them market more efficiently," said Cathy von Birgelen, director of the eMLC.

For information about the eMarketing Learning Center's classes and opportunities to work with the eMLC, contact Cathy von Birgelen or call (814) 898-6547.

The eMLC provides affordable access to educational experiences to help workforce professionals obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively use digital marketing - a vital component to success in today's hightly competitive global market. It is headquartered in Erie, PA at the Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT (eBizITPA) and on the Web at www.eMarketingLearningCenter.org.

The eMarketing Learning Center and the Nonprofit Partnership Present Hands-On Social Media Marketing Workshop

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:37:00 GMT

On Tuesday, October 20th, at the Bayfront Convention Center, Dana VanDen Heuvel will present a hands-on workshop: Mapping Out Your Social Media Marketing Strategy

The morning session is tailored for businesses and the afternoon session is specific to nonprofits, Each session will include industry-specific and localized content regarding social media marketing tools and technologies.

Dana VanDen Heuvel is the founder of MarketingSavant, one of the nation's first Weblog marketing consultancies. He is also a widely recognized expert in blogging, podcasting, RSS, Internet communities and interactive marketing trends and best practices and speaks regularly on these topics at industry events.

Date: Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
Times: 8:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. (businesses) 1:00p.m. - 5:00p.m. (nonprofits)
Location: Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier, Erie, PA 16507

"The online channel simply opens up a world of opportunities, both locally and globally for those who are expanding their nonprofit or business," said Cathy von Birgelen, director of the eMarketing Learning Center. "Through this workshop, participants will learn which social media channels will best fit their objectives and most effectively reach their target audience."

Who should attend?

B2B marketers - manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, education providers, IT services, transportation
B2C marketers - retail, insurance, healthcare, utilities, finance and accounting
Corporate marketing managers and directors
Advertising agency professionals
Nonprofit organizations

"Since the cost of operating in the online channel is so affordable and the tools available have become so accessible, nonprofits and businesses are marketing and massaging online as never before," said Bob Wooler, director of the Nonprofit Partnership.

This workshop is a preview of this year's 9th Annual Nonprofit Day conference, Finding Your Way in the Storm: A Compass for Today's Nonprofits. This full-day event will be held on Wednesday, October 21 from 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA.

The keynote address this year will be given by Peter Brinckerhoff, award-winning author of Generations: The Challenge of a Lifetime for Your Nonprofit. The day will also include 20 compelling workshops on in-demand topics in management, governance, fundraising and marketing and communication.

For more information, visit www.emarketinglearningcenter.org or www.thenonprofitpartnership.org.

Attendance to the Dana VanDen Heuvel workshop is free for all Nonprofit Partnership members and for those registered for the 2009 Nonprofit Day Conference; otherwise, the four hour workshop is $49.

Thought Leadership Article: Small Businesses Not Connecting with Online Audience

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:30:00 GMT

Thought Leadership Article: Small Businesses Not Connecting with Online Audience
By: Cathy von Birgelen

Digital Marketing Mixer Designed like Speed Dating with eMarketing Experts

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:53:00 GMT

On March 26th, the eMarketing Learning Center will present a Digital Marketing Mixer at the Ambassador Conference Center, 7792 Peach Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“We want to give business professionals and marketers the opportunity to learn about successful online marketing strategies and the technologies that enable them to market to present and potential customers,” said Cathy von Birgelen, director of the eMarketing Learning Center. “The Digital Marketing Mixer will be a one-stop, no pressure environment to learn about the latest eMarketing strategies. Now more than ever, these skills are important during a tough economy.”

The Digital Marketing Mixer is divided into three parts. In the morning session, attendees will listen to presentations by a variety of eMarketing industry experts. Dana VanDen Heuvel, who is an award-winning marketing blogger and creator of the American Marketing Association’s Techno-Marketing training series, will be the keynote lunch speaker. He will discuss “Digital Marketing in a Downturn.” In the afternoon session, attendees will break into smaller groups and participate in roundtable sessions where they can speak with service providers on a more one-on-one basis and ask any pressing questions specific to their business needs.

The eMarketing Learning Center @ eBizITPA (eMLC) is a nonprofit, educational and professional development center focused in the discipline of online marketing. The eMLC develops industry-leading curriculum to help workforce professionals obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively use digital marketing – a vital component to success in today’s highly competitive global market. “At the eMarketing Learning Center at eBizITPA, we offer affordable, world-class training from experienced industry experts,” von Birgelen said.

To register for the Digital Marketing Mixer or to learn more about the eMarketing Learning Center and its classes, please visit www.emarketinglearningcenter.org or call 898-6500.

The eMarketing Learning Center Explains How To Develop a Paid Search Advertising Campaign

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:55:00 GMT

On May 7th, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the eMarketing Learning Center @ eBizITPA, 5340 Fryling Road, will host The Fundamental Guide to Developing a Paid Search Advertising Strategy presented by Chris Rudd.

“Today, 85% of people online use search engines to find new products, information, services, components or suppliers, yet less than 15% of the businesses allocate marketing dollars for online marketing” said Cathy von Birgelen, director of the eMarketing Learning Center. “Our goal is to provide affordable, unbiased and research-based classes to help all industries reach their target audiences through eMarketing.”

This course will provide a detailed explanation of why it is important to implement paid search advertising as well as the benefits of including paid search as part of your online marketing strategy. Attendees will learn the skills necessary to develop, execute and manage a paid search campaign, as well as how to test, track and tweak their paid search ads. Participants will also learn how to incorporate this powerful channel into their online marketing strategy to drive highly targeted and qualified leads to their Web sites.

The course instructor is Chris Rudd. Rudd is the Web marketing specialist at PAPA Advertising, with offices in Erie, PA and Charlotte, NC. Nearly 10 years of experience allows Chris to provide dynamic solutions and strategies for interactive marketing, including Web management, promotion and sales. Rudd has past experience as a Web optimization consultant, director of Web marketing, and director of business development for regional and national firms. Rudd is also a certified Google AdWords Qualified Individual.

The eMarketing Learning Center @ eBizITPA (eMLC) is an educational and professional development organization focused on the discipline of online marketing. The eMLC has developed an industry-leading curriculum to help workforce professionals obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively use digital marketing- a vital component to success in today’s highly competitive global market.

To register for this class which costs $299, please call the eMarketing Learning Center at 814-898-6500 or visit the Web site, www.emarketinglearningcenter.org.

Thought Leadership Article: Online Channel Sustains Businesses in Challenging Economy

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:12:00 GMT

Thought Leadership Editorial Article
by Cathy von Birgelen