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The Chamber Weekly Blog
A collection of articles that we believe will add value to you and your business!Christina Metcalf and Edited by Julie CarrollThursday, October 24, 2024If you ask anyone over the age of 20 what the date is, after telling you, they will probably say you how quickly time flies. How it seems like only yesterday it was _____. This is especially true when you own a business. There never seems to be enough time in the day to do what you need to do. And you no sooner pay one bill than it’s due again. Making the most of the time you have is essential to business success. But how do you beat the clock? Read moreChristina Metcalf and Edited by Julie CarrollThursday, October 17, 2024If you want more views on your business content, you don’t have to be a celebrity (although that makes things a lot easier). All you have to do is help your audience get to know you, and by doing so, humanize your business. Some people are gifted engagers. They naturally know how to get people interested in their stuff. But for most of us, it’s a learned activity. If you’re not a born engager, here are five things you can do to improve your business content. Read moreChristina Metcalf and Edited by Julie CarrollThursday, October 10, 2024If you’re like many of us, you may have decided that watching the news is not in your mental health’s best interest. From angry rants to misinformation, it’s difficult to understand the benefits these days. That’s why focusing on positivity and feel-good stories can help your business stand out and create a sense of connection with your audience. But what kind of “feel good” content can you provide? Read moreChristina Metcalf and Edited by Julie CarrollThursday, September 26, 2024If you’re like most businesspeople, finding ways to get names on your emailing list can be exhausting. We all want tons of fans and followers. There’s value behind a list of people who are interested in what you offer. Most businesses start their list with people they know. But if you want to turn your email list into marketing gold, you need to get strangers (who will become potential customers) interested in you. That’s no easy task. It’s the kind of activity that most of us avoid because the thought of it seems so overwhelming. Read moreChristina Metcalf and Edited by Julie CarrollFriday, September 13, 2024No, this isn’t another article about how you can turn your hobby into a side hustle. But having a hobby can be great for your existing business. It may not feel like you have enough time for a hobby, but here’s why you should prioritize hobby time (or time spent cultivating one). Read moreChristina Metcalf and Edited by Julie CarrollFriday, September 6, 2024Social media is becoming more and more frustrating, right? If you have used it to connect with your audience for ten years or so, you undoubtedly have seen crazy changes in your reach. If you’re new to the social media for business scene, reaching 2% of your audience probably feels pretty normal. But if you’re not reaching your audience, how are they going to know who you are and all the wonderful things your business can bring them? When it comes to building a loyal following, there are several things you can do. Ultimately, reach is still dependent on the platform’s algorithm, but every social media channel claims to respond to value. To reach more people, you need them to see you as providing valuable content they want to interact with. Here’s how you can start doing that. Read moreChristina Metcalf and Edited by Julie CarrollTuesday, September 3, 2024Does your business seem to be a revolving door of employees? If so, there are several reasons why that could be true that have nothing to do with your business itself. It could be the nature of your industry. Some industries are seasonal or attract a more nomadic employee base that tends to wander. It could also be a problem with one of your managers or supervisors. Perhaps, it’s a lack of growth opportunities. If you’re shaking your head thinking, “No, that’s not it,” and you’re wondering what it could be for your business, The 2024 Intuit QuickBooks Allstate Health Solutions Benefits Survey may provide some answers. The survey of 1,000 employees from both small and large companies reveals just how important employee benefits packages are in today's competitive job market. Here’s a summary of the key findings: Read moreChristina Metcalf and Edited by Julie CarrollThursday, August 22, 2024I receive a lot of emails and as a marketing writer, I study much of what I get. In marketing, it’s important to stay curious and notice what attracts your attention and what misses the mark. There’s a ton to be learned from all that spam. So, let's take a look at the The 5 Most Common Mistakes Email Marketers Make! Read moreChristina Metcalf and Edited by Julie CarrollWednesday, August 14, 2024Have you noticed these days that everyone seems to have a course or at least a YouTube video on how they do what they do? Teaching has become a secondary (and sometimes primary) revenue stream for the small business professional. Marketers, eBay sellers, and even real estate agents are turning how-to instruction into a new business. Sure, it can enhance your brand, generate additional revenue, and establish you as an authority in your field. But it’s not always the answer for every business. Before jumping into becoming an online guru in your industry, it's important to weigh the benefits and challenges to instructional content creation. Here’s a guide to help you decide whether going that route is the right step for your business. Read moreChristina Metcalf and Edited by Julie CarrollWednesday, August 7, 2024If you’ve ever spent any time creating or consuming content, you have either written or read a piece that proclaims some marketing trend is dead or something is “king.” Be it a social media platform, marketing activity, way of doing things—one thing is always going out of fashion, and something is lauded as taking its place. This article is no different. Today, we’re asking the riveting question—Are blogs dead (or dying) and can we blame AI? Of course, I had to turn to AI for the answers. First, let’s see what AI has to say and then I’ll give you my marketing take. Read more