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Workshops take aim at virtual storefronts

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An upcoming workshop will help Mississippi entrepreneurs learn how to use the Internet to market their products and services.

"Electronic Retailing: Selling on the Internet" will be offered Oct. 28 in Greenwood, Nov. 2 in Starkville and Nov. 4 in Brandon. Sponsored by Mississippi State University's Extension Service, each workshop is designed for new and existing businesses wanting to sell products and services through a retail Web site.

Beth Duncan, Extension professor with MSU's Food and Fiber Center, said established businesses can benefit from expanding sales into this marketing channel, or a new business could start out entirely as a virtual storefront.

"E-commerce is proving to be a great equalizer, allowing the smallest of businesses and those in rural locations to access markets and have a presence that allows them to compete on equal footing with the major retailers," Duncan said.

Six sessions in the day-long workshop will cover Web market strategy, Internet customers, Web site development and other issues.

The registration cost is $20 per participant and includes workshop materials, breaks and lunch. Registration is available online at http://ext.msstate.edu/departments/foodandfiber/ and click on the icon for the workshop registration. People also may register by phone at (662) 325-2160, by fax at (662) 325-7844 or by mail at MSU Extension Service, Food & Fiber Center, Box 9642, Mississippi State, MS 39762, Attn: Ann Sansing.

For more information about the workshop or registration, contact Sansing at (662) 325-2160 or by e-mail at asansing@ext.msstate.edu.

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Writer: Linda Breazeale

Released: Sept. 23, 2004
Contact: Dr. Beth Duncan, (662) 325-2084

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