Monthly Archives: August 2009

Marketing Monday

Posted on August 31, 2009 | Leave a comment

“We cherish our customers so much we have not just a good deal, but a great deal… http://www.enteryourcompany.com”

“Did anyone see the Govt. is starting a Cash for Clunkers program, what does that mean for you… http://www.enteryourcompany.com“

“What a great day! Once again down here at (company name) we appreciate your business…http://www.enteryourcompany.com”

“Answer (company name) trivia question and receive the chance to get 50% off your next purchase… http://www.enteryourcompany.com”

What are these examples of?  Yes, you guessed they are TWEETS!

Last week we tackled the importance of using Facebook for your business and this week Twitter gets its time to shine on Marketing Monday.

Twitter and Facebook are two of the most important social media tools you can use to gain recognition, build reputation and attract customers.  Twitter, compared to Facebook, is really a whole different animal in itself and can be used in a lot of different ways.twitter-bird

One thing that I really admire and have noticed in a lot of successful people is that they are always connected.  Whether it be through personal interaction, on the phone, through email etc., they always have a way of always having enough time to respond to people.  That is how I view Twitter; a social community where people are always connecting and sharing ideas and spreading news.

So, how do you use it?

Well, Twitter is a lot easier to get started as opposed to Facebook and a lot easier to ‘get connected.’  When you log onto Twitter.com you will be requested to enter your name, username, set up a password and give an email where updates can be sent (you can opt out of these).  Then it will ask for your e-mail password and if you have an address book with a lot of e-mails stored it will load all the names and search for them on Twitter.  This will build the base almost instantly, because Twitter will automatically follow them.  Next, Twitter will throw together some random people you could follow that are either some celebrity or some high-traffic businesses that a lot of other fellow “tweeters” like.

twitter-128x128Okay, your ready to roll and the page is set up, now ‘how the heck do I  tweet?’ You can go to your profile and  provide a picture if you would like or in the info section under setting you can put in a small, concise statement about you or the company. Then, in the “What are you doing?” section you can say something like (i.e.), “just setting out our fabulous product and getting ready for a great Monday.”  Right after that statement provide a link to click on that will drive to your company’s website.

Providing a link to something is vital. Whether it be to your blog, to the Facebook page or the website using this key component is necessary for recognition of your product.

What does follow and following mean?

Good question.  Basically, it means the same things as having friends on Faceboook, but on Twitter friends can be a one-way or two-way street.  Someone could click on your name and follow you, but if you didn’t know them or think that their name was appropriate just don’t “follow” them or “block” them.  The whole idea of Twitter is to get the most followers and follow a bunch of people.  It’s social networking on steroids.

The next step, is to go into your settings and enter your mobile device to receive updates via text message.  This way, you can see who is following you instantly and update your Twitter page while your away from your computer; once again, staying connected.

I obviously didn’t tap into absolutely everything you can do with Twitter, but I did get most of the basics.  Remember if anyone needs any help setting up their account on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media tool don’t hesitate to contact the Chamber and we will get you set up.  Once again, have a great week Siouxland!

-Ian

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Chamber Trivia

Posted on August 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

Great job last week on the Trivia question. Either people are really smart in the Sioux City Metro..or just know how to research the internet. I’d like to think a little of both :-)

What anniversary is the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce celebrating this year?Trivia Logo Siouxland

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Posted in Chamber Trivia

Reveal the Answer!

Posted on August 27, 2009 | Leave a comment

Question for the Week:

Sioux City, Iowa was the first FICTIONAL home office for what late show comedian?

Answer: David Letterman!david-letterman

Congratulations to this week’s winner Nick Buth! Everyone that answered correctly was entered in a drawing for this weeks prize, 4 tickets to Friday’s on the Promenade! Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next Chamber Trivia Question.

Would your business like to sponsor a Trivia Question? Contact intern@siouxlandchamber.comDonate a prize and be featured on our blog.

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101 Ways to Take Advantage of the Chamber

Posted on August 26, 2009 | Leave a comment

In the upcoming weeks, we will be doing a series on 101 Ways we are at your service.  You could be a new member of the Chamber, a long-standing member or a business who just doesn’t know if they want to get involved, because you don’t know the benefits.

Here at the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce we are all about service.  It is our job to help your business grow and thrive in this community.  Let us help you and over the course of this series if you see some ways that you could benefit from the Chamber, don’t hesitate to take advantage of these opportunities.

1) Get on the list! The Business Directory list that is, this list will include your business info and website link.  This online directorychamber_site receives over 500 hits per month.

2) Take advantage of me!!! Take advantage of my job, send us a blog and we will title it as “a guest article.”  We want to help promote your business and if you have an interesting or entertaining story to tell, let us (and everyone) know!

3) Displays-  Take advantage of our display in our high traffic lobby, which is exclusive to all members.

4) Recognition-  Gain recognition in the Siouxland Business Journal during a Ribbon Cutting, chamber anniversary, or when you become a new investor.

5) Get included in our newsletter “e-blast” that reaches all 2,000 member investors and representatives.

6) Free Advertising-  As a thank you for your first year of membership, receive $200 worth of free advertising on Powell Broadcasting stations JACK FM or Y101.3.

7) Social Media- Use us, to help set up your Facebook fan page for your business.  Just give me a jingle and I would be more than welcome to walk you through it.

8) Blog- Use the tips provided on our blog to better equip your company.

9) Support- Let us be the resource for your toughest business questions…if we don’t know we will point you in the right direction.

10) Welcome to Siouxland- When recruiting new employees, we can assist you in showcasing the community.  We also have newcomer packets and all the up-to-date regional information available right in our office.

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Positively Siouxland- Art Splash!

Posted on August 25, 2009 | Leave a comment

This week’s Positively Siouxland features Chris Mcgowan discussing a special event that has been in Siouxland for 16 years….Art Splash!

siouxland cham

Positively Siouxland-Art Splash

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Posted in General info, News, Weekly Update

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Marketing Monday

Posted on August 24, 2009 | 4 Comments

In this blog, we have written a lot of generalities and nothing specific about how to use social media.  I am going to dedicate the next couple very sacred “Marketing Mondays” as a way to educate our viewers on how to use the free & nearly free resources that social media has to offer.  I hope this is useful facebook-128x128and will get the ball rolling for your company, no matter what stage it is in.

First of all, how do you use Facebook?  Facebook originally started out as a way for INDIVIDUALS to communicate, keep up friendships, acquaintances, share pictures, chat and meet new people.  Well, then businesses and Facebook realized that this could be a good way to advertise the company whether it be for reputation up keep, promote specials, job offers….anything positive, you name it.

Becoming a friend of a business just didn’t seem right, because your friends with people, you can’t be friends with Staples or IBM.  If someone said, “Ian who do you consider your best friends?”  I wouldn’t say, “My best friends are Jeremy, Tyler, Snickers, David and Microsoft.”  This just wouldn’t work and I think the multi-billionaire company Facebook probably thought of that as well.

To fix this problem, they created “Fan pages.”  A fan page on Facebook allows your company to upload photos of the company, describe its location and business hours, link viewers to your website etc.

This is all very simple, all you need to do is set up a profile for yourself and then on Facebook it will say “Create a Fan Page” in the settings section.  Facebook will then walk you through every step from general info, business hours and the about section.  After this step is done, you should take all the friends that you have for your personal profile and suggest that they become”fans” of your fan page.  If some do, automatically they will receive updates about your company and receive updates on their wall.  Then, hopefully, some of those people will like your page and product so much that they will refer their friends.

It astounds me, when companies are willing to advertise on billboards, television and radio, but aren’t willing to use the resources that the internet offers, like Facebook.  This is free, set it up today and if you have any questions leave a comment and we will be in touch so your company doesn”t fall behind.

-Ian

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Posted in Marketing Monday

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Siouxland Resident Present at Iwo Jima Flag Raising

Posted on August 24, 2009 | 1 Comment

Alvern Molskow holds his signed photograph dated Feb. 23, 1945. Molskow is a Siouxland Resident who was present at the flag raising of Iwo Jima.

When the Chamber announced this year’s speaker for the Annual Dinner as James Bradley we knew this would peak the interest of many. Bradley is best known for his New York Times Bestselling novel, Flags of our Fathers, the story of the U.S. soldiers that lifted the flag at Iwo Jima. What we didn’t expect however was a call from Greg Gregerson, Regency Square Care Center, who told us about a Regency Square resident that had a deeper connection to this year’s speaker.

Alvern Molskow was a Marine assigned to guard the photographer taking pictures of the flag raising at Iwo Jima. I had the opportunity to interview Molskow about what he remembers from that day. Even at 92, Molskow can recall the day the United States flag was put up at Iwo Jima. His assignment was to guard the photographer that took the picture of the flag being raised. This photographlater became one of the most reproduced of all time. Molskow has a copy of the photograph in which you can see the first flag being lowered as the second is being put up.

Molskow said that he was proud to be a Marine on that day but that he didn’t know that the photographs taken would become such a part of our history. In his words, “It was just another day.” When asked what he remembers most from his time in the service, Molskow answered, the fact that he never had an injury.

Molskow lead a life of service even before enlisting in the Marines through his job as a fire fighter in Sioux City. He returned to the fire department after serving in the Marines and retired as an assistant fire chief. Molskow is a Sioux City native and graduate of East High School. He and his wife Colleen reside at Regency Square Care Center in South Sioux City.

news-at-a-glance-registrati

Click for more information on the Chamber Annual Dinner

Want to hear James Bradley first hand? The Siouxland Chamber Annual Dinner is less than a month away and tickets are still available. Click here for more information.

-Sarah Thiele, Siouxland Chamber Intern

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Posted in Chamber Annual Dinner, Chamber Members

Community Enhancement Initiative

Posted on August 21, 2009 | 2 Comments

A Dream, A Wish, A Hope…

It’s amazing how dreams can become realities.  It’s happening all over Siouxland and it comes from hard work and determination.  There is something more though, it’s feeding off one another for ideas, joining together for one cause and fulfilling the task.Boundless 001

At the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, we have been fortunate to be an integral factor in making these dreams come true.  One of the most fulfilling projects we were blessed to help accomplish was the Boundless Playground that opened up in November 2007.

The Chamber teamed together with area sponsors, Opportunities Unlimited and the Sioux City Parks and Recreation in a joint effort to enable all children to be able to play together.  There are just over 150 boundless playgrounds in twenty-eight states and two Canadian provinces. 

In Iowa, there is only one and Sioux City got it done.

Every year a community enhancement project is selected to be featured on our annual membership plaque.  Each member receives a plaque and with all the different projects that the Chamber has had its hand in the past year, the Boundless Program was the one chosen for 2009.

A playground is just a playground, but a “boundless” playground is truly special.  A boundless playground enables all children, of different abilities to play together including those with physical, developmental, cognitive and sensory disabilities and experience independent fun at his or her own ability.

Differences between a playground and a boundless playground:

1) Boundless playgrounds are barrier-free

2) Boundless playgrounds are configured to support children’ predictable play behaviors

Boundless 025This Community Enhancement Initiative was great to be a part of and we are very proud to have it here in Siouxland.  If you have some time today or this weekend take the kids out to this special playground experience.

Have a great weekend Siouxland!-Ian

“How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal, and you have to be willing to work for it.”
-Jim Valvano

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Posted in General info, News

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Chamber Trivia

Posted on August 21, 2009 | 20 Comments

I was pretty impressed last week Siouxland, I must admit.  This week the comments will not be revealed, but a reply will be given.  I have a suspicion that you guys and gals have been copy cats on the answers. :)

Question for the Week: Sioux City, Iowa was the first FICTIONAL home office for what late show comedian?

Trivia Logo Siouxland

Think you know…comment on this post with your answer for your chance at a great prize. Trivia questions will be posted each Friday with answer and winners announced the following Thursday.

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Posted in Chamber Trivia, General info

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Look me in the eye..but just one eye please

Posted on August 20, 2009 | 2 Comments

Matt BoothHosting a networking event at 7:30 a.m. can make it hard for people to get out of bed not to mention focus on relationship building. That wasn’t the case this morning when Matt Booth, internationally known motivational speaker, proved to the Siouxland Chamber Business Roundtable and Sioux City GO that getting energized and checking your attitude can be a refreshing start to the day. To a crowd of more than 50, Matt spoke about how you can improve  from a slick networking to building long lasting relationships valuable to your quality of life and career.

With an enthusiastic demeanor, Matt taught the crowd how the first step in relationship building is to have a genuinely positive attitude. Not only does that attract others to you, but you become approachable and someone pleasant to be around. It’s important to constantly check your attitude so it becomes a habit to stay positive, just as routine as brushing your teeth.

Matt also gave the group some worthwhile tips on networking and communicating effectively. Below are just some of the valuable tools he shared with our group.

Business Cards: Use the Name people call you on your business card-When you introduce yourself to people, do you use your full name ie: Jonathan A Doe III? Your middle initial? Then why include that on your business card. Use the name that you introduce yourself as so people know who you are know how to address you when making contact.

The internet is prime real estate-Purchase the domain to your name so when contacts google your name (c’mon you know you do it), you can rest assured they are finding accurate information. Domain names are cheap (some less than $10 per year) so why not give this as a gift to friends, family or youngsters BEFORE they become motivational speakers or CEO’s.

Smile!- One of the best ways to make people like you is to smile. It can be said in any language and is rarely misunderstood. This is an easy improvement to make when networking and building relationships.

Look ‘um in the eye- Who ever said that had it right. One of the quickest and most effective ways to build a beneficial relationship is to gain trust. Eye contact is a wonderful tool to develop that trust. Focus on just one eye and maintain that contact. Try it, you’ll soon find out how powerful one-eye contact can be.

Use the FORD technique to get people to like you- No I don’t mean using the topic of cars, I’m talking about questions to ask people in regards to their Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Dreams. Don’t forget to LISTEN to the answers, networking doesn’t work as a one-way street.

Overall, Matt Booth shared some great tips and advice on how to be an effective communicator. Please remember, the business roundtable committee is open to all chamber members and a great place to develop current relationships and make new contacts. Best of all, its included in your chamber membership so there is no additional charge! You might even learn something in the process.

Did you miss this business roundtable but want to join in next month? Not a problem, feel free to contact myself or Nicole at nthompson@siouxlandchamber.com and we’d be happy to put you on the list.

-Beth Trejo, Director of Investor Relations- Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

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Posted in Business Roundtable