Startup Sharp with the Augusta Library

Our goals for this program were to provide a free service to the community that gave expert advice and resources to patrons affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have lost their source of income and are forced to stay at home during this time.

It took us a month to plan and prepare this series. We wanted Startup Sharp to reach multiple audiences so we planned to purchase a streaming service that would help us go live on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Next, we searched for guests to come on the show and give advice to those looking to start a small business from home. We ended up connecting with three professors from the James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta University and a marketing and communications specialist from the Georgia Cancer Center.

Next, we focused on marketing and publicity. We created a flier for the event and spread the word by sending out a press release, boosting social media posts, email marketing and word-of-mouth marketing. To prepare for the show, we created a script and an outline for our guests so they would be prepared for a Q&A discussion towards the end of our show. We invited people to ask questions in the comment boxes. We also prepped our guests with backup questions in case there were no comments. When preparing for each episode, we tested the livestream an hour before the official program to troubleshoot technical problems.

Our unexpected challenges came during the livestream in the form of blackout slides and no audio. The streaming service help line wasn’t really enough to help us solve these problems. Technology isn’t always on our side, and sometimes it has a mind of its own. No matter the obstacle, we always found a way to work through to the end of the show. Our outcomes were for patrons to leave with a basic understanding of formulating a business plan, financing a business, and building their business brand.