Members of the UC Oshkosh Digital Marketing Clinic lend their expertise to digital marketing challenges. From the left: Erin Richer will graduate from Weyauwega in spring 2023. Nina's Amanda Dorsey. Kathy Fredrickson, assistant professor; Alex Larsen will graduate from Verona in spring 2023. Allison Lundeen, a virtual intern at the University of Eau Claire, appears on a computer screen.
An initiative by University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh students to provide digital marketing assistance will go beyond the Fox Valley and soon help a group of small businesses in northwestern Wisconsin.
The Digital Marketing Clinic at Oshkosh College's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will partner with the SBDC on the Eau Claire College campus later this month to provide digital marketing training and best practices.
Student consultants from the Digital Marketing Clinic will give presentations to managers from approximately 35 companies. He then receives 20-30 minutes of free and confidential one-on-one time with seven intern consultants (six from his UWO and one from UW-La Crosse, where he is part of the team). Digital marketing appointments will be held.
UWO's Digital Marketing Clinic team includes (top row from left): Lauren Welter of Neena; Karina Fritsch of Nina. Kayden Scheibel of the University of California, La Crosse; and Nathan Weiss of West Bend. (Bottom) Dan Brossman, SBDC Director. Grace Pirillo of Nina. Anthony Preston of Little Chute. Nina's Amanda Dorsey. Assistant Professor Kathy Fredrickson.
“The opportunity to provide clients with digital assets and teach them the digital marketing skills they need to run a successful business is incredibly fulfilling,” said UWO junior Grace Pirillo of Neenah, majoring in marketing.
Pirillo and other students often find owners overwhelmed with figuring out how to run and market their small businesses.
“Marketing itself can be scary,” she said. “I love to sit down and explain everything I've done for them and explain the 'why' behind it. That way, they can walk away feeling like they have the tools to maintain momentum. ”
The partnership with UW-Eau Claire began when Harley Judes, UWEC’s SBDC director and director of the Network Capital Access Clinic, offered funding for UW-Eau Claire students to work remotely at DMC. Alison Lundeen, a marketing analytics student, joined the clinic in February and plans to return as an intern this fall.
This month's Oshkosh and Eau Claire events offer businesses a great mix of help.
Capital Access Clinic's Eau Claire team of accounting interns provides technical assistance to businesses through the financial process. Students in the Digital Marketing Clinic provide assistance with marketing challenges.
A statewide initiative of the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center Network, the Digital Marketing Clinic connects talented, motivated college students with business owners who make an economic impact in their communities. The clinic is located at his UWO and is managed by Kathy Fredrickson, assistant professor of marketing.
Since February 2021, our highly trained intern consultants in Google Analytics, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), User Experience, Video Production, and Graphic Design have completed over 3,500 consulting hours.
Lauren Welter, a UWO senior from Neenah majoring in interactive web management, said many clients understand the concept of search engine optimization (SEO) and what is most important to do to reach new customers. He said it was difficult.
She said the students' suggestions were being implemented by the management after their appointment.
“They seem to have a better understanding of what they can do to achieve success across their social media channels, websites, and other digital marketing efforts,” Welter says.
The DMC initiative allows student consultants to gain hands-on experience in various components of digital marketing, including analysis, digital asset creation (graphics and video), website updates, and SEO. This helped Welter solidify his future career direction in web design/development and user experience or interface design. She is on track to graduate in December.
Pirillo said his experience as an intern manager and student consultant at the Digital Marketing Clinic strengthened his future plans, which include small business marketing. She is scheduled to graduate in spring 2025.
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