Mike Blinder is a successful small business owner and multimedia consultant and one of his favorite things to do is share his experience and expertise in marketing.

        The Statesboro Herald has invited Blinder to come to Statesboro on Tuesday to offer advice to local entrepreneurs and other small businesses on how to grow their business at a free workshop. Blinder's workshops are set for breakfast and lunch meetings on Tuesday, March 3 at RJ's Grill on South Main St. The deadline to register for one of the workshops is 6 p.m. on Monday.

Visit http://www.localmediaworkshops.com/ to register for one of the free workshops.

        "Any small business owner who is looking to find new customers and wants to help themselves use the Internet better to grow their business should attend the seminar," Blinder said. "If you're not embracing a strong digital marketing strategy, odds are your competitor is and that's what I'm noticing in today's world."

         Blinder is a consultant with hundreds of newspaper and media companies across the United States, Canada and around the world. He was a radio and TV talent who moved from behind the mic to a career in marketing and sales.

        "We have worked with Mike successfully in the past," said Jim Healy, operations manager for the Statesboro Herald. "What I like best about Mike and his team is that they work hand-in-hand with us and use the knowledge we have of our communities and businesses combined with their proven expertise in marketing to put together the best plan for our customers."

        At each of the 90-minute workshops, Blinder will talk about the best use of all forms of marketing, including social media like Facebook and how Google can help, or hurt, your business.

        "We think Mike can offer some very good advice to our business partners in better understanding the opportunities of digital marketing, and marketing in print, as well," Healy said. "He certainly has helped us better understand it."
        Blinder also will discuss mobile marketing.

        "I will also spend some time talking about what I call the mobile movement and how important it is to embrace a very mobile strategy," Blinder said. "You have to embrace the fact that everyone is walking around using mobile devices. We're in a world where everyone is on the move, taking the internet from the beach to the bathroom and back and businesses have to realize that now."

        About 80 per cent of small businesses don't have mobile-optimized web sites, offering a bad customer experience on smartphones, said Blinder, and that impacts their business a great deal.

        The workshops will not be filled with complicated geek speak. Blinder said he provides simple, comprehensive information to help grow a business.

        This seminar is suitable for anyone interested, from beginners to experienced small business owners. It's going to be general enough to appeal to people who are technically savvy or someone who is e-mail challenged, Blinder said.