TELLING YOUR CHAMBER S STORY

Transcription

1 TELLING YOUR CHAMBER S STORY Webinar for ACCE Thursday, July 16, 2015 Presented by Amy Smolik Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

2 TELLING YOUR CHAMBER S STORY Amy Smolik Marketing & Communications Manager Sioux Falls Area Chamber Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce siouxfallschamber.com [email protected] Amy Bennett Smolik Issuu: Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

3 GOALS FOR TODAY Gain insights from what the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has implemented in our communication practices to improve membership communication and advocacy awareness

4 WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT TELLING YOUR STORY? People remember stories Show your members that you re a valuable investment Don t make them fill in the blanks themselves If you don t tell them, who will?

5 CULTURE MATTERS What is your style? What is the culture of your organization? What works for your organization in your community? Who is your audience: Baby Boomers vs. Millennials?

6 ABOUT SIOUX FALLS South Dakota s largest city City population: 166,700 Four-county MSA: 250,000

7 OUR CULTURE AT THE SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER OUR MISSION: We represent our members by advancing and promoting the economic health and quality of life of the region. Started in ,200-plus Members 68% of our members have 10 or fewer employees

8 OUR CULTURE AT THE SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER Part of the Chamber: Sioux Falls Young Professionals Network, Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau Partner organizations: Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Forward Sioux Falls

9 OUR CULTURE AT THE SIOUX FALLS CHAMBER Staff: 19 Chamber (includes 1 YPN, 1 FSF), 14 CVB Average staff tenure: 11 years VERY volunteer-driven (Ambassadors, Diplomats, Board)

10 OUR COMMUNICATIONS STORY Print Magazine marketing pieces issuu.com/siouxfallschamber

11 OUR COMMUNICATIONS STORY

12 OUR COMMUNICATIONS STORY

13 OUR COMMUNICATIONS STORY

14 OUR COMMUNICATIONS STORY The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is mobile! This user-friendly App is available as a free download for mobile users including the iphone and Android web-enabled smartphones. The App is designed to be a complete resource for our Chamber members. All Chamber members automatically receive a listing in our online and mobile directory at no charge. Use the Chamber App to connect with fellow members and help your business reach new customers. Don t have a smart phone? No problem! The App is a great addition to our online directory at SiouxFallsChamber.com. From your computer, just click on Membership Directory in the upper right hand corner of the main page and you ll be directed to our online directory. Download your FREE APP at your favorite app store. Search Sioux Falls Chamber. How to Use Your Sioux Falls Chamber App: Search the Directory Get connected with Chamber members using our online directory. All Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce members are included and may be searched by company name, category or keyword. Browse Events See dates/times/locations and special notes about events. You can even map the location so you know where you re headed! Chamber Staff Have a question? We can answer it! Connect with a Chamber staff member here. Chamber News Read news about our members and view our ribbon cutting photos, stay up-to-date with advocacy efforts, community Appeals campaigns and the latest in local business news. Chamber Website Learn more about our committees, programs and events, advocacy efforts or get contact information for elected officials on the Chamber s website. Join Now Know someone who should be a member? Let them know they, too, can download this Chamber App and start the membership process from their mobile device. Social Media Stay up-to-date with the Chamber (and our members!) by staying in touch with our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn feeds. We love to talk about our members and share their news here, too! Questions? Contact Pat: or [email protected]

15 OUR COMMUNICATIONS STORY Issue Briefs The Chamber Advocate Chamber News Bill Tracker

16 I (or a co-worker or employee) am a member of the (news about your business or industry that is TOOLS OF THE TRADE How can you explain your benefits to your members? Do you ask for feedback? SIOUX FALLS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBERSHIP CHECKLIST Have you utilized these benefits of belonging to the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce? Review the checklist below to see some of the ways your membership can benefit your business check off those you ve already taken advantage of or ones you plan to utilize in the future. If you see items you want to learn more about, talk to your Chamber volunteer Diplomat, visit SiouxFallsChamber.com or contact a staff member! Chamber s Young Professionals Network (YPN). I attend networking events such as Membership Mixers or Good Morning Sioux Falls program. I attend educational events such as Business Sense Workshops or Chamber Café. I have shared my expertise as a presenter at a Business Sense Workshop or Chamber Café. I use the Chamber s App to: Search the Membership Directory Look at upcoming events Get driving directions to Chamber events Contact Chamber staff Read Chamber News Go to the Chamber website I am a member of or have attended a meeting of a Chamber Committee. I regularly submit information for the Chamber News magazine: Business News Briefs Connect with the Chamber s social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). I offer fellow Chamber members a discount through the Members Only section of the website (SiouxFallsChamber.com). pertinent to the general Chamber membership) Faces & Places (honors, awards, new staff members or staff promotions) Member s Voice column (share your expertise on a subject that would be of interest to the general Chamber membership) People know I m investing in the community because I m a Chamber member: I have taken advantage of a Member-to-Member Discount from the Members Only section of the website (SiouxFallsChamber.com). I advertise with the Chamber to promote my business: Quickly electronic newsletter Chamber News magazine SiouxFallsChamber.com I have had a ribbon cutting (exculeds affiliates) and proudly display my ribbon cutting plaque in my office. Sioux Falls Detailed Map I promote my business : Sioux Falls Community Guide I posted my member window cling. I downloaded the membership e-plaque onto my website. Member-to-Member Discounts Community Calendar (SiouxFallsEvents.com) Information current for Chamber year My milestone anniversary plaque is displayed in my office. I use the Chamber s communication tools to be informed and to network with other Chamber members: I read the Chamber News magazine each month in the mail or in my inbox. I read the weekly Quickly to keep updated on upcoming Chamber events. I read the weekly The Chamber Advocate to learn about governmental, current issues and how they may effect business. I like the Chamber on Facebook. I follow the Chamber on Twitter (@SFAreaChamber I am a member of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce LinkedIn group. SIOUXFALLSCHAMBER.COM Door Prizes (membership drives, Operation Thank You, etc.) Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Membership Mixers Holiday Fair or Business Fair Vendor Booth Rental I use sponsorship opportunities to promote my business: Sioux Empire Farm Show Ag Appreciation Day Sioux Falls Day at the Legislature Operation Thank You Legislative Coffees YPN Membership Card

17 YOUR COMMUNITY S STORY IS YOUR STORY, TOO

18 Testimonials, testimonials, testimonials! STORYTELLERS

19 QUICK HITS ON COMMUNICATION Clear Concise Concrete Correct Complete Courteous Credible Creative Coherent

20 TAKE-AWAYS Have you defined the role of your Chamber in your community? Have you asked your members what they want from their membership? Have you shared with your members how they can use their membership? What are some small, incremental changes you can make now that will have an impact in six months?

21 TAKE-AWAYS Can you eliminate any of your communication vehicles? Other resources: ACCE, State Chambers of Commerce, Regional Chambers of Commerce, U.S. Chamber, SBA, Social Media (ACCE LinkedIn, Chamber of Commerce Professionals Facebook group) How can you create more efficiencies to save time or money? (No matter your staff or membership size, this is important!) And one more thing... change is inevitable!

22 Q&A: TELLING YOUR CHAMBER S STORY Amy Smolik Marketing & Communications Manager Sioux Falls Area Chamber Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Issuu: Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce [email protected] Amy Bennett Smolik siouxfallschamber.com