Need to get the word out about your business, but don’t have a big marketing budget? The San Juan County Economic Development Council will host a workshop on how to market your business inexpensively and effectively on Tuesday, Nov. 27, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Orcas Island Library community room.

The workshop offers tips for small business owners looking to improve their marketing efforts at little additional cost. The course will be taught by Victoria Compton, director of the Economic Development Council and longtime marketing consultant.

The workshop covers a variety of low-cost and effective marketing tools, such as direct mail, e-marketing, networking, public relations and cold-calling. Techniques to stimulate a “buzz” about products and services and to leverage various channels (from social media to logos) to create a strong identity will be highlighted as well.

Workshop instructor Victoria Compton has worked for over 20 years in marketing and advertising. She founded At Home Magazine and published the first three official Visitors’ Guides to the San Juans in collaboration with the SJI Visitors’ Bureau. She also worked for five years as a marketing consultant in Manhattan and the New York metro area, with a particular focus on helping small- to mid-sized companies get the word out about their products and services with very small marketing budgets.

Participants will leave the workshop with the resources they will need to create a robust, low-cost marketing plan. Cost is $15 to cover materials; space is limited and advance registration is recommended. Space is limited: email the Economic Development Council at info@sanjuansedc.org, or call 378-2906, to reserve your space.

The EDC thanks San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor and the Ports of Friday Harbor and Lopez for supporting our educational programming.