After 25 years in business, real estate broker Rosa Chang knows real estate. What she didn’t know, however, is how the Internet and social media services such as Facebook could help make Legacy Real Estate Associates even more successful. What’s more, she didn’t have the time to learn.

“I was just swamped, even though I’m not that well known in Brentwood yet,” said Chang, who recently relocated from the Livermore area. After attending last December’s Impact Marketing Summit conducted by The Press, however, that appears to be changing.

“I’ve already got a couple of leads,” said Chang, who got help setting up a website and establishing a presence on Facebook. Her website, part of The Press Business Directory, has been optimized for search engines and is already paying off.

“A client said, ‘I just Googled real estate in Brentwood and your name came up,’” said Chang. She helped the man sell his house and buy a new one from another of Chang’s clients. “It was a trifecta,” she said. “You can’t beat that story. I know (digital marketing) will be very helpful for my business.”

Michele Chatburn, Social Media Manager at The Press, said Chang’s story isn’t unique. What’s unusual is that Chang caught up on the latest in the digital world without leaving town.

“The level of info you get at our seminars is something you usually must travel outside East County to get,” said Chatburn. “Plus, you not only learn something, you get fed!”

Thanks to stories like Chang’s, The Press has expanded its Summit series. Two sessions will be offered this month: Wednesday, April 25 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; and Thursday, April 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Both seminars will be held at Cap’s Oak Street Bar & Grill, and include dinner (on the 25th) or lunch (on the 26th).

“The new Facebook timeline started March 30, and a lot of people have no idea what to do about it or how the new tools it offers can help them,” said Chatburn. “We can help them use it to tell the story of their business.” Topics will also include managing your page’s story flow, QR codes and how to network with experts in your industry.

Keynote presenter for the seminar will be Jason Smith, digital marketing consultant for Radiate Media of Utah. Along with Chatburn, Smith will explain why digital marketing is a critical supplement to traditional print advertising.

“Businesses need to be relevant on the World Wide Web, because that’s where more and more people are doing their research before making a buying decision,” said Chatburn.

Tickets for the Spring 2012 Digital Impact Summit are $59 for either session. You can register online at

www.thepress.net/registration, or at The Press offices, 248 Oak St. in Brentwood.