Business Briefs

Small Business marketing workshop set

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota Small Business Development Center, the City of Sarasota and Comerica Bank, will host a free Small Business Marketing Workshop, "Using Social Networking to Help Grow Your Business" next week.

The workshop will be held March 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St., Sarasota. A light lunch will be available.

Best-selling author and social media expert Tamara Patzer of Total Audience Market Immersion TAMI LLC will address how businesses can use social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn to increase their client base and income.

Patzer is author of "Ask Tami: Pinterest for Local Business" and "Ask Tami: A Logbook of 365+ Social Media Tips, Tricks and Tools" and creator of Total Audience Market Immersion, a company that helps businesses integrate traditional media with online media for maximum return on investments.

Patzer has taught mass communications at the University of South Florida and State College of Florida. She has a master's degree in mass communications and instructional technology from the University of South Florida.

For more information about the workshop and to make a reservation, visit scf.edu/SBDC or call Linda Baxter at 941-408-1412.

PR Firm launches real estate blog

360 Degrees PR & Marketing, a Lakewood Ranch based public relations firm, has launched a new blog that will focus on Florida Real Estate.

The site, http://www.360floridarealestate.com will feature articles, event information, press releases, and blog style videos about real estate in the Sunshine State.

"This website will help us feature our real estate clients in a new way to enhance their web presence and search engine optimization, in addition totelling some of their stories that aren't necessarily well suited for a traditional press release," said Candice McElyea, President of 360 Degrees.

Local bike shop receives top dealer award

Pedego Sarasota recently received the Pedego Electric Bikes annual Top Dealership award for the state of Florida. The award reflects more than sales. it is an acknowledgment of their outstanding customer service and community outreach.

Owners Deborah and Michael Weatherby attended a conference in California, where the awards were presented.

The Weatherbys originally opened a flagship store in Bellows Falls, Vermont. After that, they opened five satellite locations along the West Coast of Florida in a partnership deal. Then, in 2011, the couple opened a showroom and demo center in Sarasota where they eventually became Pedego Electric Bikes dealers. The store offers the complete line of Pedego Comfort Cruisers, City Commuters, tricycles, off-road Trail Trackers and more.