New courses launched in Shropshire to help small businesses launch digital PR campaigns

J&PR Ltd, run by managing directors Rhea Alton and Kirsty Smallman, already runs courses to teach businesses about the basics of PR and how to use it but the new course will look specifically at the online world.

“If you’re not making use of social media for your business PR, you are missing out on an invaluable tool to market your product to old and new customers alike,” said Mrs Alton.

“The list of social media networking sites is almost endless. There’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogster, Instagram, Flickr, LinkedIN, My Space, Mailchimp, YouTube, Google Plus and if you’re not accessing at least part of that world in your PR campaign then you’re not connecting with a host of would-be customers and you’re not using a handy way of keeping current customers of what’s going on with your business.”

Mrs Alton said the course will cover the basics from writing a blog and an e-newsletter, which is an easy way to reach current clients, to making the most of social media during a PR campaign by interacting with clients through Facebook to explaining just what a hashtag is on Twitter.

“There are some sites that small businesses may not have even considered using. For example, Pinterest can be vital in a PR campaign for a company that produces products as you can share content and it allows members to ‘pin’ images, videos and other objects to their pinboard.

“It’s all about getting to know how your customers want to converse with you and keep interacting with them. Social media is available 24/7 and while you don’t want to bombard customers with updates, you do want to keep on top of what’s happening in the digital world,” she said.

J&PR’s Digital DIY PR training course will run a number of times throughout the year.

Dates include June 20 at Craven Arms Community Centre, July 24 at Longbow House, Shrewsbury, September 25 at Longbow House, Shrewsbury, October 9 at Maple House, Telford and a Christmas special on November 20 at Longbow House, Shrewsbury.

All one-day courses run from 10am to 4pm, cost £120.00 per person and include tea, coffee and lunch.

For more information, contact J&PR training co-ordinator Jane Shaw on training@jandpr.com or 07967191243 with your preferred date and company details and she will get in touch. Information is also available at www.jandpr.com or via Twitter @JandPR and Facebook at www.facebook.com/JandPR.