(SAVANNAH, GA) – 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.
About the Speaker Marjorie Young has over 30 years of experience in public relations and reputation management. As the founder of Carriage Trade Public Relations®, she has helped businesses develop and execute PR strategies that enhance their community presence. Young is the author of REPUTATION MATRIX™, a guide to crafting a yearly PR plan. She has also led Savannah’s first local newswire, Savannah Community Headlines™, and her team is certified in crisis communications. Young is a past president of the Rotary Club of Savannah and a recipient of Savannah State University’s Meritorious Service in Mass Communications award. She holds a degree in Journalism and Fine Art from the University of Maryland.
About UGA SBDC The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) provides tools, training, and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. With offices across the state, UGA SBDC offers consulting services and educational programs for entrepreneurs at all stages of business development.
About Carriage Trade Public Relations, Inc. Founded in 1995, Carriage Trade Public Relations®, Inc. is a reputation management firm based in Savannah, specializing in strategies that increase visibility, credibility, and positive word-of-mouth. For more information, visitwww.carriagetradepr.com or call 912-844-9990.
For more information or to register for the Thursday Takeaways workshop, visithttps://georgiasbdc.org/training-program/0693-001or contact Jacquelyn Kennedy at the UGA SBDC at jkennedy@georgiasbdc.org
