July 6, 2010
Client: Chicago School of Woodworking, LLC (“CSW”)
4700 N. Ravenswood Unit SW 4
Chicago, IL 60640
773-275-1170
info@chicagowoodworking.net
Enjoy the experience
The Chicago School of Woodworking, with 2 human and 1 canine employees, has a web page with information about the school and class calendar. There are many social media techniques and tools that can be used to improve the visibility of the school and increase enrollment.
A goal of the SM policy will be to increase awareness through the implementation of a SM Plan, of which the following are to be included:
Additional goals will be to increase the enrollment in the courses for the October 11 session of 9 week courses.
1. Promote the new facilities (to open October 10, 2010) - press releases, business page, opening event (absolutely rock bottom cost, i.e. just the lights on and a giveaway)
2. New business Facebook page
3. Find local bloggers on woodworking and begin networking (ie you have lots of sources listed on the website, so tap into their customers.
4. Promote the places student purchase wood on your site. They do the same for your classes on theirs.
5. Twitter...? And a YouTube channel, maybe even flickr
6. Have a booth at a few local craft faires.
7. Find free publicity in places unexpected. I.e. donate some left pieces, auction them from Facebook and
8. Queenie is a great mascot. She can have her own page too!
9. Invite all former students to the opening - and we can video their comments on experiences
10. Meet with the local High School to explain the school, see if there is any interest in a class for the students. Also ask about spring/winter break ideas. have a number of students identified before hand.
11. google calendar
12. On the web, add more pics and links to the class photos so they are easier to find. And add an interactive google calendar (?)
Background:
CSW's Mission Statement:
“To train students in the art of furniture making. Principally focused on the novice hobbyist, CSW’s goal is to use a progressive skills based approach to teaching individuals how to make furniture.
Through lectures, demonstrations, and most importantly, practical application, CSW’s intent is to produce graduates who can safely and effectively build furniture both with hand tools and machines.
Our primary business objective is to instruct and educate students. Our facility is conducive to the learning process and geared for a quality educational experience. We have chosen machinery and tools that are safe, up-to-date, and well maintained, so students can focus on learning and enjoy the varied aspects of building a quality piece of furniture.”
About the Owners
Mark, Shaun and Queenie
Shaun Devine
Experience: Shaun, a graduate of Northern Illinois University, taught in the Chicago Public Schools for eight years. Tired of that, she quit to compete on the U.S Kendo team. She worked for two years as a photographer. After that she spent about five years as a restaurant manager. She saved her money so she could quit her job and complete a one year unpaid apprenticeship at The Chicago Bauhaus Academy. Upon the death of the founder, Berthold Schwaiger, she cashed in her retirement, emptied her savings account and opened The Chicago School of Woodworking with her business partner Mark Hamester.
E-mail: shaun@chicagowoodworking.net
Mark Hamester
Experience: Mark, a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, served for 23 years in the United States Marine Corps where he held a variety of instructional billets. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Mark taught basic woodworking at the Chicago Bauhaus Academy.
E-mail: mark@chicagowoodworking.net
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