Social Media Isn’t a Four Letter Word

by Angie Tutterrow, By Design Media

Social media can feel like a four-letter word to some business owners: you either don’t have a clue, or you don’t have the time to manage it properly. It can be full time position in your business and can take up way more time that you are ready to give; especially when it comes up against inventory control, payroll, and taxes. You may look at other businesses who seem to have it all figured out with their amazing pictures and their perfect content. You may feel like wanting to give up before you even try but I am here today to tell you “you can do it.”

What I want to help you with today is not to harp on the importance of social media; you already know that. What I want to give you today are a few tips and assurances that it’s all going to be ok. My first tip is to pick a platform and excel at it before you start with another. There is no reason for you to be on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, SnapChat, or anything else if you aren’t going to be able to manage them. Pick one platform like Facebook and then move on to the next. Not all social media platforms cater to the same audience, so it is essential that you find the platforms that are a good fit for your brand and the audience that you want to target and be consistent and active on those platforms.

Second, personalizing your branding is critical. Personalizing, in this context, means that you are forming a relationship with your client or customer; making your existing customers and prospects feel a powerful connection to your business. In today’s world, you must be prepared to interact with followers when they post a question, compliment, or — especially — a negative review. Remember the golden rule, if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.

Next, become a great storyteller; be interesting and enthusiastic, be authentic and be human. You can’t be a good storyteller if you don’t know your own story. Each of us has an origin story. Start thinking about how you can tell the story of yourself, your products or your company. What was that journey like? Think about the great stories that mean the most to you as a child. What made you connect with the hero of the story? When you are comfortable in your own skin you are able to communicate your own story, and people will respond to it! People relate to stories and to people. Customers may initially come to you because of your product, but they stay with you because of how you make them feel and how you treat them.

Finally, as I mentioned above consistency is key! If you want your customers to recognize your company, you must be consistent. Not just consistent in making sure your post regularly, but consistent in your brand. Being consistent in your brand allows you to grow in audience engagement and reach. From the tone of voice used in messages to the aesthetics of your profiles, you need to be recognizable to gain traction among your intended audience. Consumers want to buy from companies they know and trust – and a consistent brand is more often viewed as a dependable brand.

 

Angie Tutterrow, owner of By Design Media, has over 10 years experience in the marketing world. She has worked with many different businesses including the Bank of Sullivan, Fidelity Communications, The UPS Store, and The City of Cuba, providing services from web design, social media management, social media campaign, online advertising, business consulting and more.

www.bydesignmedia.org

angie@bydesignmedia.org

(573) 612-1402

 

 

You Joined the Chamber, Now What?

by Robin Southern, Membership Director

Congratulations!  You have made a very smart business decision!  So, you signed on the “dotted line”, paid your dues, Now  What?  Chamber membership brings lots of benefits, but also lots of questions.

Often times I hear from members or potential members, “I don’t have time to participate, so I don’t see the benefit.” Here is the good news, while that may be true for gym membership, it is not the case with Chamber membership!  Even if you are never able to attend one Chamber event, the Chamber is still tirelessly advocating for you and your business. The Chamber will refer your business or the product you offer to community members and travelers, often seeking suggestions from the Chamber on businesses in town. The Chamber is constantly working to enhance the economic environment in the community.  So, you see, you really don’t have to do anything to reap the benefits of Chamber membership.  However, if you are able to participate, the return on your investment for your business will be much richer.

What are your goals for Chamber membership? Why did you join the Chamber?  The answers to these questions can help guide you on how to make the most of your membership. Whether your answer is to grow your customer base, become more visible, or be a bigger part of the community, your Chamber membership can help you. Here are some suggestions to help you get started and make the most of your Chamber membership:

Open Your New Member Packet.  Read all of the information in your packet and take advantage of the coupons and information provided.

Read your emails. This is the best way to stay in touch with what is going on with the Chamber, make a note of what interests you and mark your calendar to participate.

Follow Us on Social Media.  We share our information as well as our member’s information.

Attend an Event.  This is a great way to get to know people, don’t go there to sell, go there to be of service to them and don’t forget your business cards.

Enhance your Website Listing. Online presence is very important, take the time to enhance your website listing with us, you can add photos, videos, keywords, and details about your business. Make sure your business information is always up to date. Consumers are visiting your website,  and checking out your content long before you see them.

Post your Job Openings. Make sure to utilize the job board that is included in your online account.  Job postings will automatically post to Facebook.

Post your News Releases.  Have a press release?  Add the Chamber to your media list. Post your press releases in the News Release section included in your online account. News Releases will automatically post to Facebook.

Host an Event.  This is a great way to bring potential customers into your place of business, and showcase your business.

Sponsor an Event.  This is another great way to showcase your business. We offer many different sponsorship levels with our events to fit any budget.

Join A Committee.  This is a great way to be involved and help further the efforts of the Chamber.  Serving on a committee provides numerous networking opportunities as well as professional leadership development. Helping others is a great way to become part of something larger than your business.

Host A Ribbon Cutting.  Whether you are a new member, celebrating an anniversary milestone, adding a new location, adding a service, a Ribbon Cutting is an excellent way to draw attention and to showcase your business. Just relax, we do all the work and you reap the benefits.

No matter why you joined the Chamber, your Chamber membership is full of benefits to help you with your business goals. Getting involved is the best way to utilize your membership. Hopefully the suggestions I have outlined will assist you in making the MOST of your Chamber membership.  The possibilities are endless!

Benton Square Salon & Spa was name Business of the Month at the August Luncheon, August 15, 2018.  Benton Square Salon & Spa opened in 2009 in the 100 year old Benton School Building, located at East 6th Street in Rolla.  In 2015, the Salon was purchased from the original ower and in 2016 Benton Square qualified to become an Aveda salon.

The Salon & Spa occupies the top two floors of Benton Square and offers Aveda Color Services, Precision Cuts, Wig Styling, Facial & Body Waxing, Gel Manicures, Pedicures, Massage, Event Makeup, Spray Tans, Lash & Brow Tinting, Murad Facials, and Retinol Peels.  Benton Square Salon has 15 stylists; 10 are independent booth renters and 5 are employed by Benton Square as Aveda Artists.  

The Spa houses 3 massage therapists and 3 estheticians.  Employees are provided continuing education and encouraged to be active in the community.  A unique feature to the Salon & Spa is that they offer private suites for guests that have privacy needs such as due to religion or special needs.

Benton Square Salon & Spa is located at 400 East 6th Street, Rolla MO.  You can reach them at (573) 426-4310.  For more information visit http://bentonsquarerolla.com/

 

The Education Committee of the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize the efforts of Jessika Zink and Ashley Rapp as the 2018 Outstanding Educators.

This award is designed to honor an educator who exemplifies creativity, enthusiasm, commitment and development of a positive learning environment. A Positive learning environment has been proven to prepare students for success beyond the classroom.

This year, the 5^th grade teaching team of Jessika Zink and Ashley Rapp received several nominations outlining their dedication to their students and commitment to the community. Each nomination reinforced their enthusiasm and efforts each day to “lift their students up”. In addition, they encourage community involvement through various projects and programs.

 

Please join us in congratulating the 5^th grade teaching team of Jessika Zink and Ashley Rapp on this recognition.

 

 

 

On Tuesday, July 24, 2018 the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and Rolla Books & Toys presented Laura Brown, Director of Rolla Parents as Teachers, with 121  books valued at $813.27.

Books and donations were collected in May and June; with Rolla Books & Toys as a partner, selling the recommended books at a discount and collecting the books at their retail location. All monetary donations were used to purchase books from the approved book list.

Parents as Teachers in the Rolla area visits children ages 3 and under – books are presented to the children by Parent Educators that visit them in their homes.

We would like to thank everyone in the community who donated books and cash donations to support the book drive.

The Rolla Area of Chamber of Commerce was pleased to name Red Door Gifts as our July Business of the Month.  Red Door Gifts has been located on Pine street in downtown Rolla for 13 years. It is a fun destination for trendy jewelry, purses, home decor, baby gifts, candles, seasonal florals and decor, and more. The owner, Katy Langston Combs, joined the team 10 years ago as the Manager when her Mother, Marilynn Langston owned Red Door Gifts.  3 years ago Katy was able to purchase Red Door Gifts from her mother and also started a clothing boutique next door, More Red Door Boutique. Last fall they were able to knock a hole in the wall to connect the two stores into one fun shopping destination that now includes trendy and affordable women’s clothing and shoes in addition to everything Red Door offered.  They are excited to carry quality lines including Kendra Scott jewelry, Brighton jewelry, Vera Bradley, and Mariana jewelry, just to name a few.

Katy’s main goal is for customers to have an amazing shopping experience that includes awesome customer service and unique items that are hard to find elsewhere. Our staff strives to help customers find the perfect gift, perfect outfit, perfect home decor item for that certain spot. 

New exciting things that have happened just in the past couple of months at Red Door is the launch of their “Happy Boxes” which is a subscription box that is delivered right to the customer’s door.  Katy purchased a vintage camper to take to events and home parties as a mobile boutique.  Also in the works is Corporate Happy Boxes for you to send to your business associates, staff, board members, and more.

Red Door Gifts is located at 700 N. Pine Street in downtown Rolla.  Visit www.reddoorgiftsrolla.com for more information.  

Lee’s Famous Recipe has been around since 1966. My family opened the Rolla Franchise location in 1991. In 1995, I moved to Rolla to take over the store. We take pride in what we do at Lee’s Famous Recipe and we are passionate about making sure our customers receive the best possible service and quality product at an affordable price. Our chicken comes in fresh twice a week and is never frozen. We hand bread everything. Our Potato Wedges are still hand sliced and hand breaded as well. We offer free delivery for Catering within a 15 mile radius of Rolla and will deliver to about anywhere for a small fee. We love to give back to our community that supports us and are active contributors to many local worthy causes. I have raised my children here and have two kids in the RHS Marching Band. We love Rolla and are very happy to live here. – Jason Fisher, Lee’s Famous Recipe, Rolla

We are excited to share with you our first ever Chamber Vlog!! 

Now you can take a look “behind the scenes” of weekly activities at the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce.  We hope that you enjoy this new adventure that we will continue to share with all of you!

Blossom Basket Florist proudly serves the Rolla area.  Family owned and operated, they are committed to offering only the finest floral arrangements and gifts, backed by service that is friendly and prompt. Their professional staff is dedicated to making each experience a pleasant one and they go the extra mile to make the floral gift perfect.

Blossom Basket Florist specializes in the following services:

• Large inventory of fresh flowers for any occasion
• Weddings / Wedding Flowers
• Sympathy and Funeral flowers
• Birthday Flowers, Get Well Flowers, Anniversary Flowers
• Plants
• European/dish gardens
• Modern and traditional flower arrangements
• High-style floral arrangements
• Silk flower arrangements
• Dried floral arrangements
• Extensive gift line
• Gourmet fruit baskets
• Gift baskets
• Greeting cards

Their shop is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.  They are located at

910 Cedar St.
Rolla, MO 65401

(573) 458-5511

Small Business Week

The Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce would like to urge all the citizens of Phelps County to recognize Small Business Week by doing as much business as you can with our local small businesses the week of April 29 – May 5, 2018.

The Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee has planned events for the entire week to help promote our small business community.  

April 28 – May 5, Small Business Week Punch Card Promotion
Shop with participating businesses for a chance to win grand prizes. Pick up your punch cards at any of our participating businesses, or the Rolla Chamber of Commerce office.
Winners will be announced on May 7
Participating Businesses

May 1, B.O.S.S. Seminar, (Business Owners Success Stories)
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Rolla High School Lecture Room
RSVP, robin@rollachamber.org
Join us for a panel discussion with some of our community’s top small business leaders!

May 2, Mo-Sci, Community Business Tour
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Join us for a tour of one of our communities leading businesses.
RSVP, robin@rollachamber.org

May 3, Speed Networking, Alex’s Pizza
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Join us for an evening of networking with some of Rolla’s most driven professionals!
Connect with new people, promote your brand, and create new business opportunities. Don’t forget your business cards

May 4, First Friday Coffee, Silverstone Place
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Join us for our most popular networking event, don’t forget your business cards