Now more than ever, social media is an integral part of any public relations plan. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other web-based platforms continue to evolve as tools for reaching our customers and building our brands. Again this year, the Baltimore Public Relations Council (BPRC) has gathered experts from the region and across the U.S. to help us refine and expand our digital marketing and communications skills. Please join us via Zoom for BPRC’s 6th Annual Social Media Spring Training Workshop for practical, timely information about how to get the most out of your social media presence.

DATE & TIME: Tuesday, April 19 2022,  9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Program

LOCATION: Virtual Conference via Zoom (Link provided after registration)

FEE: $45 members; $75 future members. Early bird registration is $5 off; register before April 5. (Cancellations after Friday, April 15, will not be refunded.)
AGENDA:

WELCOME
9 a.m.
Elise Armacost, President, BPRC
Baltimore County Fire & Emergency Management

Jena Frick, Moderator & Program Chair, BPRC
Senior Media Relations Specialist, University of Maryland, Baltimore

SESSION 1: Making Social Media Videos Work for You
9:00-9:45 a.m.
Presenter: Nate Brubaker, Owner, Rock Shore

SESSION 2:  Don’t Feed the Trolls: Managing Online Negative Content
9:45-10:30 a.m.
Presenter: Brandi Bates, Senior Communications Coordinator,  Matrix Design Group, formerly Public Information Officer, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners

Social media is great, isn’t it? Getting your message to your public fast and cheap all from your cell phone is awesome, except when social media becomes anti-social media. Examples include when you are personally targeted, when every post you make incurs the unanticipated wrath of the angry faceless masses, when your page is doing a death spiral and when you dread looking at your phone because of the notifications rapidly filling the screen.

Do you delete snarky comments and ban the troll? Do you ignore them and just let the hate run unheeded? Or, do you just stop posting altogether? There is a better solution. With a little patience and a few tricks, you can learn how to build a loyal following and manage negativity on your social media platforms while keeping your sanity.

BREAK & ANNOUNCEMENTS
10:30-10:45 a.m.
Elise Armacost, President, BPRC
Baltimore County Fire & Emergency Management

SESSION 3: How to Tell Authentic Stories That Shift the Narrative
10:45-11:30 a.m.
Presenter: Adena White, APR, Founder and Chief Storyteller, Blackbelt Media

Learn how strategic storytelling can shape our organizations, build connection and bring about change. Using as a framework the principles of strategic communications outlined by PRSA (research, planning, implementation and evaluation), you will learn how to:

• Identify stories within your organization that may be overlooked.
• Analyze stories for common themes that tie back into your organization’s goals.
• Repurpose content to amplify stories with the right audiences.

SESSION 4: Engaging Social Influencers for Your Events & Initiatives
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Presenter: Heidi Klotzman, CEO, HeidNSeek Entertainment

Influencer marketing. It’s everywhere across all social channels and has proven it is here to stay. In today’s digital climate, more and more people are learning about events and organizations through social influencers. They post photos/videos and add to their stories on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc. about what’s happening right now and what’s happening next. Are you activating Baltimore’s diverse group of influencers for your brand? Having worked with Baltimore staples like About Faces, Bozzuto Properties, the Shops at Kenilworth, Gordon Ramsay Steak at Horseshoe Casino and many, many more, Heidi’s session will address why you should consider incorporating social influencers into your marketing campaigns and provide guidance on how to engage the RIGHT people for your events and initiatives.