YPWC: Lunch & Learn: Marketing Fundamentals

 

Marketing Fundamentals for Small Businesses: A Practical Workshop

Marketing can feel overwhelming for small business owners. Between social media, websites, email, advertising, and word of mouth, it’s hard to know where to focus your time and energy. This workshop is designed to simplify marketing and help small businesses and owners understand the core fundamentals that actually drive awareness and growth. We’ll walk through the key building blocks of an effective marketing foundation, from understanding your audience and clarifying your message to choosing the right channels and creating consistent visibility for your business. Rather than focusing on trends or complicated tactics, this session will focus on practical strategies and simple frameworks you can apply immediately, whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve what you’re already doing. Because the workshop will be informed by attendee questions submitted during registration, the discussion will focus on the real challenges local business owners are currently facing.

Participants will leave with:

• A clearer understanding of the core pieces of effective marketing
• Practical ideas to improve visibility and customer engagement
• Guidance on where to focus marketing time and effort
• Answers to real marketing questions from fellow local business owners

 

Speaker Bio: Melissa Gifford, Content Creative, is a marketing strategist with more than 13 years of experience helping organizations build stronger brands, clarify their messaging, and create marketing strategies that drive real business growth. Her work spans content strategy, demand generation, and integrated marketing programs across digital channels. Throughout her career, Melissa has worked with companies ranging from startups and small businesses to national and global organizations, helping them simplify complex marketing challenges and translate strategy into practical, effective execution. Known for her ability to break down marketing into clear, actionable fundamentals, Melissa is passionate about helping business owners understand how marketing actually works, so they can make smarter decisions, focus their efforts in the right places, and build sustainable visibility for their businesses.