Excerpts from our March Newsletter, The Source
March Membership Meeting Speed Networking Lunch
Tuesday, March 16 11:45 a.m. Rockwoods Banquet Center Cost: $20 per person
Join us Tuesday March 16 for a favorite membership event - the speed networking lunch. During this event which is a bit reminiscent of “Musical Chairs”, you enjoy your lunch while networking with different table-mates for each course. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun. Learn first hand about other Chamber members and give them an opportunity to get to know your business. Bring plenty of your business cards or pamphlets and be ready to talk to at least fifteen other members about your products and services.
Cost is $20 per person and attendance is limited to Chamber members only.
Call (763) 441-3110 or email eracc@elkriverchamber.org to reserve your place by March 9.
Business Education Seminar: FAB-ulous Sales!
Wednesday, March 31 8:00 - 10:00 am Cost: $39 per person
at Minnesota School of Business, 11500 193rd Avenue NW, Elk River
Everyone has something to sell. In order to make a sale, someone has to buy. If you knew what makes people buy, would that make your sales job easier? Are purchases made based on the color, size, shape, speed? A product or service has to meet a customer’s need or want to motivate them to make the purchase.
There is a strategy that works towards giving a prospect a keen understanding of the benefit they receive from your product or service. The strategy starts with the salesman understanding and communicating the difference between features, advantages and benefits (FAB). This seminar will help you discover how to uncover the customer’s needs and wants so they can see the benefits of YOUR products and services.
This special educational seminar is sponsored by Minnesota School of Business presented by Bob Trewartha, Director of Campus and Program Promotions. Bob has 15 years of teaching experience and has won numerous teaching awards. He also has 25 years of management experience and is a business owner of a consulting company. Come prepared to interact, learn and discover new strategies to selling in 2010!
View from the Board Chair by Cathy McManus
“Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made” Otto von Bismarck
Anyone trying to follow the health care debate would be tempted to agree with the German Chancellor. The Senate’s bill is 1505 pages. By contrast, Stephen King’s latest book is a mere 1088 pages. The House reports that its bill is 395,096 words. Type in “Senate Health Care Bill” on Google and you get 34,000,000 hits. Add to that the special deals some states were given for their representatives’ votes and it’s no wonder support for health care reform is weakening.
While health care may not need reforming, how we pay for it does. Here’s an example of what is right with our system. My 60 year old brother-in-law had an outpatient 4-hour rotator cuff procedure. It didn’t cost him a dime, and he’s good as new. Here’s what’s wrong—it cost his insurance provider $20,000.00. No wonder premiums keep going up. For some small businesses and individuals, skyrocketing premiums are putting health care out of reach.
Congress and the President have stated that they are not giving up on a health care bill. The question is what its final shape will be.
The web sites of Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken and Michelle Bachmann have set out their positions on what should be in the bill. (Well, Al Franken’s directs you to read a speech he gave on it.)
The U. S. Chamber of Commerce has take a position on what it believes should be in the bill, and it is asking for the support of individual Chambers of Commerce.
You recently received an e-mail survey concerning health care reform from our Chamber asking you to give your opinion on whether or not the Elk River Area Chamber should support the U.S. Chamber’s lobbying efforts. Please look this over and let us know what you think.
Don’t be like Grumpy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, “I don’t know what it is, but I’m agin it.”
Follow Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce
There is a new way to keep up with events and announcements from your Chamber.
You can now follow us on social networks FaceBook and Twitter. Become a fan of our FaceBook page, “Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce” and also follow us on Twitter @ElkRiverChamber to receive regular posts, events, reminders, member news and points of business interest.
Make the most of your membership: Things you can do to get started
· Attend a New Member Orientation
· Display membership plaque or window decal with pride, and enjoy added credibility of Chamber membership
· Bring your company brochure, information sheet or business cards to display in the Chamber office
· Investigate advertising options the Chamber has available for you
· Attend a Business After Hours
· Attend a membership meeting
· Join a Chamber committee
· Be involved in special events such as the golf tournament, Business Expo, annual business meeting/fundraiser
· Use your Chamber membership directory to form new contacts and shop local
· Use the Chamber bulk mail permit when mailing your piece TO THE CHAMBER’S MAILING LIST
· Log on to the Chamber Website, www.elkriverchamber.org and browse the site
· Learn how to use the Chamber’s Email list for your direct marketing
· Join a networking group to meet local business people
· Advertise your event on the Chamber website
· Log in with your new login name and password at www.chambermaster.com to review your listing, post a job, a Hot Deal, or event.
As I See It: Member Get a Member...and MORE by Debbi Rydberg
In today’s world, personal relationships are more important than ever before. There are millions of opportunities for each of us to participate in everyday. How can anyone sort them all out? Quite frankly, we can’t. We all rely on one another to clue us in to what works well and what doesn’t. If you received excellent service from someone, don’t you tell your friends, especially when they are looking for a similar service themselves? Of course you do. This is the root of networking. Referral business is king today. Many won’t do business unless it comes by a referral.
The bread and butter of a chamber of commerce is their membership. Members are what power a chamber and enable them to advocate, advertise, connect resources and create value for the membership and the community. Our chamber, like your business, has had soft sales lately. This is because businesses are adjusting to a new economy. Many of those that have decided to discontinue their membership did not take advantage of the many benefits of membership. Many of our strong member businesses are participating and taking advantage of what we provide as member-exclusive benefits. We are looking for more ways to promote you, our members, every day. You will see over the next several months a roll out of new opportunities to promote your business at our events and in our publications. These promotions will help your business build its brand and credibility.
There are approximately 7500 people working at Elk River Area Chamber member businesses. These are people that are here (or very close by) every day! How are you reaching this niche market with your products and services? Many of our members’ employees do not live where they work. One way you can reach them is through chamber products. We offer a monthly mailed promotion pack, as well as newsletter advertising for a very reasonable rate to reach a targeted market of 7500 people. We offer a targeted email list and we have a fan page on Facebook. Yes, we are participating in the social media “Craze” – but more importantly, we are learning how to leverage it to benefit our members both as a promotions tool and as a communications tool. If you have a fan page, look us up and we will add your fan page to ours giving you even more exposure. Soon, the chamber will also be tweeting messages about new members, event reminders and important legislative updates.
Another referral tool that we provide to our members is our directory. You should be receiving your new directory in the mail in the next several weeks. Take a look at it and re-acquaint yourself with our entire membership. More importantly, who do you have a relationship with that is missing? Your referral to the chamber is the best resource for attracting new members. You know how chamber membership has benefited your business – who do you know that needs that same service? What if every current chamber member talked to just one other business about joining the chamber? Even if there were overlaps, the results would be fantastic – for your chamber. There would be more people to connect with and more members to do business with, which will lead to better bottom lines for everyone’s business.
Who do you know that needs to belong? This is the place to be; who’s missing? Find them today and talk to them about the chamber – your experiences are the best advertising we have.
Member Benefit: Promotion Pack
Once a month, the Chamber’s Member2Member Promotion Pack containing a variety of member promotions and advertisements, is mailed to 700 member representatives. By promoting your business to other chamber members and their employees, you are giving your membership, as well as your business a boost.
This is your avenue to distribute your company brochure, extend a discount or coupon offer, inform members of a new service, or advertise a special promotion or event to 700 local people who work in our area every day. Regardless of where they live, they can use your products and services here! The cost to reach them is only $75, plus your 700 copies.
Call today to take advantage of this advertising tool. (763) 441-3110
BusinessConnection is an electronic business assistance and referral network open to all businesses. It was initiated by Grow Minnesota! the Minnesota Chamber’s initiative focused on retaining and creating jobs, and is carried out in partnership with over 50 local chambers of commerce across the state. Its primary goal is to strengthen and grow Minnesota's economy by making our companies more aware of available resources. Grow Minnesota! BusinessConnection helps businesses grow by breaking down barriers, opening doors and answering questions ranging from acquiring specific permits, to looking for a raw material supplier for a manufacturing process, to searching for potential buildings and sites to expand within a community or the state.
The website-based information refers to reliable, authoritative resources that have been vetted for credibility and accuracy. Because the program’s focus is on Minnesota, the information is distilled to be relevant to Minnesota.
Using BusinessConnection to search for information and resources is quicker and more focused than using a regular computer search engine.
BusinessConnection is a joint project of Grow Minnesota! and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The service is designed to be statewide and easy to access.
BusinessConnection is open to all businesses and can be reached via the website www.mnbizconnect.com. BusinessConnection is also available toll-free by calling (888) MINN-BIZ (646-6249). Live operators are standing by. Personal assistance is available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Elk River’s Grow Minnesota! is sponsored in part by The Bank of Elk River
6th Annual Central Minnesota Area Job Fair
Showcase your business to our area’s job-ready workforce. It’s currently an employer’s market with unprecedented top talent available.
This event is Thursday, April 1, from 1:00-5:00 pm at Monticello High School, facilitated by Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services Monticello and their partner organizations. Last year the job fair attracted 1,500 job seekers. Find your next great hire and learn more about additional resources for your business.
For registration information or questions, contact either Tim at 763-271-3722 or Brad at 320-308-5364.
An easy way to save
Through Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce’s partnership with Constant Contact, our members are eligible to receive discounts of up to 25%. Both existing Constant Contact customers and new users are eligible.
If you are already using Constant Contact, call the Chamber office, 441-3110 with your username and we will have your account updated.
For new accounts, sign up for a free 60 day trial account by using a special link on the Chamber’s home page at www.elkriverchamber.org and automatically receive a discount.
This is one more way that your Chamber membership can help your business save money.
Statements will be electronic
In the past, if you have received a monthly statement from the Elk River Chamber, it has been in your regular postal mail. For the month of March statements will be sent by mail and also emailed. Beginning April 1, statements will be sent by email only. If you want a paper copy, please call the office at 441-3110 and let us know.
Tips for planning for Business Expo
Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo is an effective way to meet and interact with your target market in a short amount of time. It can be very worth your time and investment if you plan well and have reasonable expectations. Here are a few tips and tricks about preparing and setting up for the Elk River Business Expo on April 11:
· Stay at your booth. If you don't, you may miss a prospective customer. If you have to leave, make it as quick as possible. Or you can have a helper (see next tip).
· Enlist a helper. Have someone to help you carry your booth supplies (which may take 2-3 trips from your vehicle) and to be there if you need to take a short break.
· Displaying only a few promotional brochures at a time can make them seem more valuable.
· Set up your exhibit using varying heights. In order to create visual interest, use boxes and drape them in bright colors.
· Use the same eye-catching colors throughout your display space.
· Hang a banner. Think about your display space as a temporary billboard. What impression do you want to make?
· Have a drawing. You can collect names for your newsletter or a future workshop from the registrations.
· Run a video on continuous loop. It attracts attention, but be considerate of the volume level so it won’t annoy your neighbors.
· Everyone loves candy! Have an ample supply of individually-wrapped candy so visitors linger longer.
· Have plenty of relevant handouts. People love to grab a colored flyer that has handy information.
· Take pictures of your booth to post on a blog or on Facebook.
· Bring snacks and water for yourself.
· Wear comfortable shoes! You will be standing most of the time. When you’re standing, you look more professional.
After expo, follow up with your registrants while the experience is still fresh in their minds. Don't be disappointed if you don't see immediate results. It can take time to get a call about your products and services. Most of all, you need to know that as an expo exhibitor you have taken a visible step at building brand recognition. And always remember: ‘You never get a second chance to make a first impression'.
Search Engine Optimization Basics: Make Your Website Easy To Find
A website is a great way to market your business, but how easily can new customers find you? There are concrete steps you can take to make sure that your site is as visible as possible in search engines like Google or Bing. Think in terms of relevance, rank, and location.
First, ensure that your site is constructed to the proper technical standards so that search engine software can easily index it. You can use a free testing service like validator.w3.org to get detailed recommendations for your site.
Next, improve your relevance score by adjusting the content of your site to match likely search terms. When a person searches for a word or phrase, the search engine looks for matching text in its index of web pages. If your page doesn’t contain a match, you won’t show up in results.
For instance, if someone is searching for “widget,” your site must have the word widget in its text to be found. To perform well for that search term, it would be best to have a dedicated widget page, with the term included in the language of the page title and in meta tags as well as in the content. Detailed, focused pages perform best in searches.
Once you have your content optimized, work on interlinking to increase your rank. Search engines calculate rank in several different ways, but the most famous (and copied) is Google’s PageRank, which is based on the number of links pointing toward your page. To improve the rank of your Web pages, you need to have other sites linking to yours. One way to do this is to list your site’s address in directories and review sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor. Another is to interlink with suppliers or customer web sites.
All major search engines now have a “local search” engine, which helps people find businesses near them. As GPS-enabled smart phones grow in popularity, local search is becoming a way to drive walk-in business. To show up in the local search results, list your business’ address prominently - in text - on your website. Again, it also helps to include your business in directories and review sites. Finally, most search engines allow you to submit your business location information directly to their index.
A final word of caution: Don’t fall for search engine optimization (SEO) scams. No one can guarantee a high placement in search engines, no matter how much you pay them. Focus on relevance, rank, and location and you’ll make the most of web search.
Originally published February 2010. Reprinted by permission, Free Enterprise, February 2010.
Minnesota Business Day at the Capitol set for March 10
Crowne Plaza St. Paul-Riverfront, 11 East Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul
Individual registration is $70 per person
Call the chamber office by March 5 to reserve your place
Minnesota Business Day at the Capitol provides all sizes and types of Minnesota companies the opportunity to see the Legislature in action and to influence public policy decisions.
Join us as we represent companies from our community alongside businesses from across the state. Business leaders gather for this day of education and lobbying at the Capitol, which has become the largest lobbying day in Minnesota.
It is an excellent venue for the business community to speak with a single voice on common priorities including quality and affordable health care, minimizing the state tax burden, and passing long-term funding for transportation needs across the state.
