Unlock Your Potential: Take Free Digital Courses and Secure $10K Grants

The latest $10,000 grant period from Verizon Small Business Digital Ready has opened, and you can apply now. But the real value of Digital Ready lies in the program’s long list of benefits. Many of Digital Ready’s tools and resources, like online courses, are available immediately, on demand.

To learn more about the grant application process and all that Digital Ready offers, read this explainer. Digital Ready virtual events and community networking gatherings take place on a regular schedule. See highlights of this month’s lineup below.

The program is free and easy to join. So, register here to get started.

From creating personas to using them

• October 13 | 1:00 – 3:00PM ET
• Successful marketing campaigns start with a deep understanding of your audience—and that starts with creating actionable personas. In this session, you’ll learn how to transform audience insights into targeted campaigns that resonate with your customers.

Avoiding predatory lending in a shrinking market

• October 14 | 3:00PM – 6:00PM ET
• Every day, small businesses across the country are searching for capital. The problem? They are shopping for it like they would for personal credit cards. Unfortunately, the same regulations that apply to personal lines of credit are not the same as those for commercial or small business financing. In fact, buying capital online is often referred to as the “Wild Wild West” of small business financing because anything goes.

Peer to peer check-in

• October 15 | 8:30 – 9:30AM ET
• Discover a new way to boost your business goals in our Peer to Peer Check-in Series. Join us bi-weekly for an interactive peer-to-peer session at a time that works for you with morning and evening sessions that are designed to keep small business owners like yourself focused, supported, and moving forward. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs in a collaborative space where you can share goals, overcome challenges, and gain practical insights.

Access capital with Bank of America

• October 15 | 12:00 – 1:00PM ET
• This event is about the factors that impact the ability to access capital as a business owner. This includes information that business owners should know when seeking access to capital, as well as how to improve the odds of approval. It will also review different types of financing options for small businesses.

Grow your business with search ads

• October 16 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM ET
• In this Ask the Expert session, learn how to create a memorable advertisement that shows up as a top search result and optimizes your brand’s visibility. Gain understanding of important factors such as algorithms, keywords, types of search results, and more. Register today to learn how to succeed in the online advertising world.

To register for the program, click this link.

To find an online event, click this link.

To find an online course, click this link.

Podcast Powerplays: Turn conversations into conversions

• October 16 | 2:00PM – 4:00PM ET
• Tired of the endless hustle on social media with little to show for it? Podcasts are the next big opportunity to grow your business and connect with high-value clients.

Using SWOT analysis to find your sweet spot

• October 20 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM ET
• Do you want to stand out to potential customers? Do you feel your business is getting lost in the sea of competition? Are you ready to use your competitive advantages to attract more customers? SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats..

Driving more traffic to your website

• October 20 | 2:00PM – 3:00PM ET
• If the COVID-19-related restrictions taught us anything, it is that we need to be able to sell to as many people as possible, regardless of their location and mobility. Having a strong online presence is essential in being able to connect with your audience online.

Demystifying payments

• October 22 | 11:00AM – 12:00PM ET
• Unlock the complexities of payment processing! Learn where your money goes, demystify confusing fees, and gain the knowledge to confidently navigate different payment models for your business.

Fantastic webinars

• October 27 | 1:00AM – 3:00PM ET
• Webinars continue to be an effective business venture in the digital age. However, they require the necessary preparation to be successful. In this session, our expert will dive into what goes into a thoughtful presentation and all the steps to prepare.

Capital ready: Securing financing ahead of major events

• October 28 | 2:00 – 4:00PM ET
• This special event series is designed to equip small businesses with the tools, strategies, and mindset needed to identify, prepare for, and capitalize on the economic opportunities that mega events like FIFA World Cup 2026™, the Super Bowl, and the Olympics bring to their cities. This four-part series delivers a step-by-step approach to help you build credibility, access capital, market effectively, and fulfill increased demand.

Peer to peer check-in

• October 29 | 3:00 – 4:00PM ET
• Discover a new way to boost your business goals in our Peer to Peer Check-in Series. Join us bi-weekly for an interactive peer-to-peer session at a time that works for you with morning and evening sessions that are designed to keep small business owners like yourself focused, supported, and moving forward. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs in a collaborative space where you can share goals, overcome challenges, and gain practical insights.

Business Plan Bootcamp

• October 29 | 12:30 – 2:30PM ET
• The process of thinking about and crafting your business plan provides clarity and a “north star” for your business, while also demonstrating a solid understanding and vision for the operating model. Your business plan helps prioritize what is important, critical tasks, as well as a timeline.