HAGERSTOWN – “Fingernails, Shoestring and Marketing: will be the Hagerstown Chamber of Commerce’s topic on Tuesday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The presentation is directed toward small business owners looking to market their businesses effectively without breaking the bank. The session will be led by Dave Barnhart, the digital marketing manager and senior account executive at Manning Media.

The inspiration behind the event’s title comes from a common challenge faced by many small business owners. As Barnhart put it, “A lot of times, businesses are operating on marketing budgets that they’re clinging to by their fingernails, or they’ve come upon by just operating on a shoestring budget, and it’s all about putting together a solid marketing plan that can still be very effective and efficient, even though it may be just by your fingernails and your shoestrings.” The presentation will focus on practical, budget-friendly marketing strategies, including tactics that can be done entirely for free.

“One of the biggest mistakes small business owners make when it comes to marketing is only looking at it from an internal perspective,” Barnhart explained. “You have to consider both your current customers and your future customers. If you’re not thinking about both audiences in the present and for the future, you’re missing out on opportunities.”

Throughout the session, Barnhart will provide attendees with an overview of cost-effective marketing tools and approaches, using real-world examples of businesses that have succeeded despite limited resources. One such example is Capital Clean-It, a trash can cleaning service based in Annapolis. Barnhart said, “By focusing their marketing efforts on local SEO, email campaigns and strategically targeting neighborhoods with homeowners associations, Capital Clean-It saw year-over-year growth – all while working with a modest budget.”

The presentation promises to be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs hoping to make an impact in their communities without overspending. “There’s a lot of power in free tools, and often business owners just need the right strategy to put those tools to work,” Barnhart added. For those interested in learning how to stretch their marketing dollars further, this event offers actionable advice and proven techniques.

To attend, the charge is $35 for non-chamber members and $25 for chamber members. Readers may register here.

For additional information or follow-up questions, attendees are encouraged to contact Barnhart through the Chamber of Commerce at 301-733-4500 ext. 3053.