James Barnes, Ph.D. Assistant Extension Professor Department of Agricultural Economics

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks: A Practical Approach to Economic Development Using Facebook Economics 101

James Barnes, Ph.D.Assistant Extension ProfessorDepartment of Agricultural Economics369 Lloyd-Ricks-Watson Building255 Tracy DriveP.O. Box 5187Mississippi State, MS 39762Office Phone: (662) 325-1796Office Fax: (662) 325-8777E-mail: [email protected]

An entrepreneurship Extension program whereby entrepreneurs learn Facebook Economics 101 and how to use social media, blogs, websites and e-commerce solutions to start and grow their businesses.

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

- Origins

- The Practical Steps

- Some Results

- Mississippi Pilot Program 2013

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

Goal: 30 entrepreneurs Target: Establish social media and web presence options

for each businessTrack: Facebook ‘Likes’, ‘Friends of Fans’, and Sales

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

Some Results

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

Custom Cross Creations

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

Custom Cross Creations

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

*August 2012 to Present

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

*August 2012 to Present

- 15 businesses in the program to date;

- These 15 businesses have a Facebook ‘Friends of Fans’ Network of more than 1.5 million fans

- Businesses are rural- Wide variety of business

types- Continue to measure how

Fans influence sales

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks…

- 10 businesses in Woodville- Begins May 2013- 5 week program- iPads- Social Media, Facebook Economics

101- Measure how social media influences

sales, job growth, etc.

Mississippi Bricks to Clicks

http://www.bulldogphysicaltherapy.com