Local Business Launches ‘Lunch & Learn’ Series

How often do you ask Siri, or Google,  "Find a coffee shop near me?" More importantly, how often do you hope YOUR business is where search engines refer all those other hungry, thirsty, needy people.

This past week, I did exactly that, and I was presented with a coffee shop that I knew damn well was NOT the closest coffee shop to me.

Why and how does that happen? Well, long story short, it is not an accident and PaymentStars, a company based here in Boise, wants to teach you how to ensure that your business shows at the top of the list. Their inaugural event, 'You. In Control. Everywhere', on Tuesday, November 19, will feature PaymentStars industry experts who will be assisting business owners to understand how to boost their company's online presence. Business owners attending the event will also be provided with a free scan of their business to see where the gaps are found.

I met Laurel Blow, Marketing Director of PaymentStars, at the not quite closest coffee shop, so she could explain a bit more about the companies new 'Lunch & Learn' series and this event in particular.

"The goal of our 'Lunch & Learn' series is to educate and provide networking opportunities for local business owners of the Treasure Valley," Blow explained."

This inaugural event will feature PaymentStars industry experts who will be assisting business owners to understand how to boost their company's online presence. Blow explained that this event likely has the highest return for small businesses with brick and mortar locations, but will absolutely be applicable to all business types.

"The way your customers find and engage with information about your business has changed. Simple organic results are now replaced by intelligent answers in maps, apps, voice search tools, digital assistants, search engines, GPS systems, and social networks. These AI-powered services have created an entirely new channel where customers can engage with your business —are you in control of the answers they see across all these platforms?" - PaymentStars Facebook

"Think of it this way, " Blow explained in laymen's terms. "You've been able to ask for the nearest coffee shop to you for a long time. But, let's say you submit a long-tailed question, 'Hey Siri, find the closest coffee to me that allows dogs and has something for people that are lactose intolerant.' It all depends on how you organize your business data online to ensure that you are the first and most frequently viewed search result.

The event listing shows tickets priced at $10, which includes lunch. The Lunch & Learn series will take place on the third Tuesday of every month at the PaymentStars offices located at 7225 Franklin Rd, Boise, Idaho. You can purchase tickets here.

You can learn more information about this community event on PaymentStar's Facebook page.