The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) is launching a new quarterly, virtual speaker series, Thursday Takeaways, designed to provide business owners with insights from experienced professionals. The first session will feature Marjorie Young, founder and CEO of Carriage Trade Public Relations, Inc.

-Scheduled for Thursday, March 13 at 10:00 AM for a live Zoom Webinar, this one-hour workshop is tailored for business owners and marketing personnel looking to develop a   structured, yearly PR plan. Young will present “The Secret to Creating a Powerful   Reputation in the Community,” outlining key strategies to strengthen brand credibility and   amplify word- of- mouth marketing.

-Many business owners assume that word-of-mouth marketing happens organically.   However, research shows that 92% of new business comes directly from word-of-mouth   referrals. This session will introduce attendees to the Reputation Matrix Method, a proven   approach to managing and enhancing business reputation proactively.

Key takeaways from the workshop include:

• Understanding the difference between PR and advertising and how PR supports long-
  term credibility.

• Learn five actionable strategies to increase visibility and positive brand perception.

• How to develop a yearly PR plan using the Reputation Matrix Method.

The session will include real-world examples and a Q&A segment, providing attendees with
practical tools to integrate into their business strategies.