#Free On-Demand Learning for Running Your Small Business
August is back-to-school month here in Florida. Learning isn't just for the littles, though! As a small business owner (or someone who's thinking about starting a small business), there are things you need to know, too! The public library is a great place to learn.
Can't afford a college course or costly seminar? No problem! The best back-to-school supply that you or your kids could want is a Jacksonville Public Library card. Bonus: you don't have to wait for a tax-free holiday to pick one up! They're always free!
To help get you started, we've lined up some great LinkedIn Learning courses on some of the core platforms you need to run an effective small business. From building an e-commerce site and serving customers using social media to going paperless, LinkedIn Learning has tons of video courses - and it's all free with your library card.
If you want to take a deeper dive, we have also included a few books on the same subjects so you can keep on learning and improving your business plan, creating a marketing plan, and more.
Featured Resource: LinkedIn Learning
Try out LinkedIn Learning, a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology, and creative skills to achieve their goals. All you need is your library card and PIN to enjoy unlimited FREE access to 16,000+ on-demand courses.
Using the LinkedIn Learning mobile app?
The Library ID (case sensitive) is: jaxpubliclibrary.
#Courses We Recommend
Build an E-Commerce Site in 30 Minutes: This course, led by instructor Patrick Rauland, compares popular platforms—Squarespace, Wix, Shopify, and WooCommerce—by guiding you through the creation of a real e-commerce website with actual products. Learn essential tasks like product uploading, configuring e-commerce settings (payment, taxes, and shipping), and customizing your store's front end. Gain insights to make an informed decision about the ideal platform for your business.
Squarespace Essential Training: Learn how to use Squarespace to design, build, and host stylish websites without needing to code or manage servers. Whether you're well versed in web design, or you have little to no coding experience, this course can help you leverage Squarespace to bring your website ideas to life. Instructor Jen Kramer helps you get up to speed with this popular platform, stepping through the creation of a website for a small business. Jen spells out how the Squarespace service works and shows how to create pages, upload images, and work with assets within Squarespace, as well as manage site structure and navigation.
Serving Customers Using Social Media: Learn how to serve customers in high-stakes channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, ratings and review sites, and more. When you reply to one customer, thousands can read your response. Every word can be shared with the world, so you’ve got to get every word right. Using social media to serve customers is an art form and a critical customer service tool. Join instructor Leslie O’Flahavan as she explains how to respond quickly, move from public to private channels, and write in an authentic but professional tone that blends your company’s templated responses with your own personal touch.
Introduction to Google Drive: Looking for an easy way to keep your files accessible, without having to give up on security? In this course, learn how to organize, secure, and share files with ease using Google Drive, the cloud-based file storage service. Discover the key differences between My Drive and a Google shared drive as well as the sharing options available in Google Drive. Find out how to navigate the Google Drive interface, create and manage a Google shared drive, control permissions, and apply a wide variety of customizable templates that work in other Google Workspace apps.
Going Paperless, Start to Finish: Reduce your paper use and make sure all of the information you need is immediately available via a smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer. Professional organizer Suzanna Kaye outlines new ways of thinking about the information you print and save, shows how to handle papers until they are scanned, and introduces the software and apps you can use to manage your information and keep it secure. Then explore password management and how to manage paperless lists, notes, calendars, and contacts. Last, Suzanna shares some smart strategies for reducing incoming papers and keeping your email inbox organized
No project management training? No problem! Franklin Covey experts Kory Kogon and Suzette Blakemore understand the importance of leadership in project completion and explain that people are crucial in the formula for success. If you're struggling to keep your projects organized, this audiobook is for you. If you manage projects without the benefit of a team, this audiobook is also for you. Change the way you think about project management. "Project Manager" may not be your official title or necessarily your dream job, but with the right strategies, you can excel.
A bottom-up strategy [intended] to produce a focused, thorough, and compelling presence on the most popular social-media platforms ... [guiding] you through steps to build your foundation, amass your digital assets, optimize your profile, attract more followers, and effectively integrate social media and blogging.
In the age of Amazon, e-commerce is the name of the game. And over the past few years, the shift to online shopping has radically accelerated. If you don't have an e-commerce business yet, it's time to start one! If you already have one, it's time to scale up. E-Commerce Power teaches you how to harness the power of the niche brand model. The book also includes interviews with successful online entrepreneurs including Mike Brown, Death Wish Coffee; Zac Martin, Yellow Hammer Tools; Alex Shirley-Smith, Tentsile; Lisa and Jared Madsen, Madsen Cycles; and more.
