A series of masterclasses from onlincolnshire will help Sleaford businesses make the most of the internet.

The events, which are being held at the town’s New Life Conference Centre, are the perfect opportunity for businesses from the area to learn more about the benefits of social media and digital marketing and sales.

Kicking off the series are two half-day events, Pintrest & Instagram for Business and Email Marketing, both being held on 24^th March. This will be followed by two seminars on 21^st April on Twitter and Instagram for Business, being held in morning and afternoon slots. Finishing the calendar of events will be a Selling over the Internet masterclass on 28^th April, for businesses looking to start or improve online sales.

All of the events are free of charge and open to all eligible businesses, but places are limited so booking is essential.

“We live in a technology-driven world and businesses need to keep up with the latest advances in order to survive,” said Bryn Davies, Principal Development at Lincolnshire County Council.

“These masterclasses will offer businesses in Lincolnshire access to free training delivered by people who are experts in their field. They are ideal for those who want to get up to speed with the digital world and learn vital new skills. The council is keen to support local firms in this endeavour, helping them to compete on a national and international level.

“The classes will also provide practical, jargon-free advice and will equip delegates with the knowhow they need to put their business on the online map.”

Part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund, the courses –which are also being run in Louth, Gainsborough, Spalding and Lincoln – are part of a wider programme of support across Lincolnshire and Rutland being run by onlincolnshire.

The full schedule of events is available on the onlincolnshire website at http://www.onlincolnshire.org/broadband-for-business/events.

To book your free place call 0300 80 80 120 or email onlincolnshire@lincs-chamber.co.uk. You can also follow @onlincolnshire on Twitter and www.facebook.com/onlincolnshire or visit the website www.onlincolnshire.org

Ends

Notes to Editors:

About onlincolnshire

• onlincolnshire is a Lincolnshire County Council-run project which is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013.
• In March 2013, the council signed a £48 million contract with BT to provide superfast broadband to at least 88% of county properties by 2016, with the remaining properties having access to at least of 2Mbps broadband. A further investment of £2.8 million was announced in February 2014 which has increased the number of properties to 89%.
• The contract with BT concentrates on an intervention area of over 150,000 premises where existing or planned commercial roll outs would not deliver superfast speeds.
• The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
• Some internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 12 Mbps, according to Ofcom.
• onlincolnshire also offers up to 12 hours of support and advice to eligible Lincolnshire businesses to help them make the most of their access to improved broadband. Specialist consultants provide demonstrations, workshops, masterclasses or one-to-one coaching and mentoring to businesses to improve their services, processes, productivity and profitability.

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
kate@weareshootingstar.co.uk
01522 528540
07733 230293
@KateStrawson