Santa Fe 2026 Making a Clear First Impression in an AI-Driven Visual World

Making a Clear First Impression in an AI-Driven Visual World

This session focuses on what people understand the very first time they come across your business, especially when you are still building things out. We explore how first impressions are shaped through images, video, and design, and how clarity and consistency across your website, social media, and branding help people quickly understand who you are.

The session also addresses common concerns around AI in marketing, including fears about authenticity, ethics, originality, and quality. We discuss where those concerns are valid, where they are often misunderstood, and how thoughtful use of AI can actually support trust, inclusivity, and stronger brand perception.

The workshop concludes with a live, hands-on demonstration showing how to use AI for image and video creation in a responsible and cost-conscious way, helping participants see firsthand how AI can enhance creative work without replacing human judgment or creativity.

Free food provided!

This session is a part of the Marketing Essentials for Small Businesses training series which covers essential topics including marketing strategy, branding, websites, and e-commerce, providing small business owners with practical tools to increase visibility, attract customers, and support business growth.

Schedule and topics:

• 3/25/26 - Building a Simple Marketing Plan
• 4/29/26 - The Many Ways Customers Discover You
• 5/27/26 - Your Website and Why it Matters
• 6/24/26 - SEO Basics and How Search is Changing
• 7/29/26 - Social Media Made Simple
• 8/26/26 - How Video Helps Build Trust
• Website and e-commerce topics to be announced.

Keep an eye on our training calendar for registration details on each session. Sessions will be held in person on the last Wednesday of each month at the Santa Fe Business Incubator from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, with modified dates in November and December 2026 to accommodate holiday schedules.

Powered by City of Santa Fe Office of Economic Development in partnership with NMSU-Arrowhead Center

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Please notify Valeria Olave at 505-246-6900 when you register for the class, or no later than 24 hours prior to your class, so that WESST can make sure necessary accommodations are available. All programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

The Women's Business Center is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.