Absolutely not.

This course is designed to meet you where you are. We welcome beginners, business owners who feel overwhelmed by social media, and experienced users who want to refresh their strategy and keep up with changes in the digital landscape.

You'll learn practical strategies for:

• Building a stronger social media presence

• Understanding your audience

• Creating content people want to see

• Taking better photos and videos

• Creating Reels and short-form video

• Writing captions

• Building a content calendar

• Understanding social media trends

• Using AI and other digital tools responsibly

• Growing community engagement

• Collaborating with other local businesses

• Turning your social media presence into a stronger marketing tool

Social media is constantly changing.

New platforms, features, algorithms, trends, AI tools, and content formats appear all the time. Keeping Up With the Times is about learning how to adapt without feeling like you have to chase every trend.

Our goal is to help local businesses understand what matters, what doesn't, and what they should focus on next.

This is one of the things that makes Explore Eastchester Academy different.

Every lesson can feature a surprise instructor or guest expert.

Our instructors may include local business owners, photographers, marketers, social media professionals, hospitality professionals, content creators, public relations professionals, wellness professionals, entrepreneurs, and other experts who can bring real-world experience into the classroom.

You won't just learn from a textbook—you'll learn from people who are actually doing the work.

There isn't one person who knows everything about social media.

Different industries have different challenges. A photographer may teach you how to create better visual content. A restaurant owner may share how they use social media to bring customers through the door. A marketing professional may explain strategy and analytics.

The surprise instructor format keeps every lesson fresh, practical, and connected to the real world.

Whenever possible, Explore Eastchester Academy will feature local professionals, business owners, creators, and industry experts connected to Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Scarsdale, and Lower Westchester.

Our surprise instructors bring real-world experience from their own businesses and professions, creating an educational experience that also helps strengthen relationships within our local business community.

No.

Instagram is one of the platforms we may explore, but the course is designed to teach transferable digital marketing and content skills that can be applied across today's major platforms and communication channels.

Depending on the lesson, topics may include:

• Instagram

• Facebook

• TikTok

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Email marketing

• Websites

• Digital storytelling

• Photography and video

• Content creation

• AI and emerging technology

You'll also learn how to create professional content using tools you already have—including your smartphone—so you can create photos, videos, Reels, Stories, and other content without needing expensive equipment.

That's the goal.

Explore Eastchester Academy is designed around practical education, not just theory. Each lesson gives you ideas, strategies, and tools that you can take directly back to your business and put into practice.

You'll have opportunities to ask questions, learn from surprise instructors, connect with other local businesses, and work through real-world examples.

We'll also discuss how AI and emerging technology can help small businesses brainstorm, create content, improve workflows, and save time—while keeping your brand's voice authentic and human.

The goal is for you to leave each lesson with something you can actually do.

And because Explore Eastchester is a community storytelling platform, participating businesses may also have opportunities to connect with the broader community through appropriate features, collaborations, or community content.

Learn. Connect. Create. Grow.