Newsletter 3 - Crook County Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Observer
Prineville Crook County
Chamber Of Commerce
May 2012
“Being Mayberry” By Steve Holiday, Chamber President
“Sometimes it feels like this world is spinning faster,
Than it did in the old days
So naturally we have more natural disasters
From the strain of a fast pace
Sunday was the day of rest
Now its one more day for progress
And we can’t slow down
Cause more is best
It’s all an endless process
Well I miss Mayberry
Sitting on the porch drinking ice cold Cherry Coke
Where everything is black and white
Picking on a Six String
Where people pass by and you call them by their first name
Watching the clouds roll
Bye Bye”
The song “Mayberry” performed by Rascal Flatts always evokes thoughts of what a
small town used to be like. There are many of us who dream of the good old days. They are
gone, but not forgotten.
Its official, Apple is now a member of our community. Several months ago 250
million dollars, and possibly more, walked in our front door and we never knew it. The
CFO from Apple came and visited our community. The purpose of his trip was not to check
infrastructure and power availability. It was to see if their company would be the right fit for
our community. He liked what he saw.
Ask yourself, did I show our small town values that we all talk about? Did I stop for
someone who was trying to cross the street? Was it giving a friendly wave to someone that you
don’t know? Was it the friendly employees who gave great customer service? What about the
friendly people who live here? Were the streets clean and the sidewalks swept? We have the
hustle and bustle of economic activity, but with our small town values. I believe that we all had
a part in their decision. You never know who is standing beside you in the checkout line or on
the other side of the counter.
We can have world technology giants in our community and still stand on our small
town values. Times and things change…values don’t. We all have great memories of the past,
but we can’t live for yesterday. We need to remember our history and heritage and how we got
here and apply it to our future. Our community can change the world, but we need to start with
our individual selves first.
What are you going to do today, to make tomorrow better?
In This Issue
A Message From the Chamber CEO 2
Crook County- Worksource Oregon 3
Event Calender
4
The Original Social Network, Pictures from members events 6
Upcoming B2B Classes
13
New Members for April 2012 13
Ten Ways for Small Businesses to Use LinkedIn14
A Message From the Chamber CEO
PARTICIPATION
Recently I have been attending various candidate forums and meet and greet
opportunities in an effort to gain the clearest picture possible of those who
would lead our town, county and state in future.
I have heard the word transparent used in most of these events. It seems to be
the buzz word of this season. I agree that being aware of the activities that are
going on in the halls of government is critical for our future. What I’m having
some difficulty with is the tendency to lay responsibility for this transparency
at the feet of our elected officials.
I believe that we the citizens have at least as much responsibility for paying
attention to what’s going on with our government as those who we have elected
to govern are responsible for being open and approachable.
Participate, be engaged, pay attention, attend meetings, ask questions and our
community will have the best possible government. No individual we elect is
perfect but with our active support and attention they will be the best they can
be and do the best job for us.
Participation is an active sport so stand up and take part and we will all win.
Bill
Upcoming Dates
Of Interest
May 13, 2012
Mothers Day
May 28, 2012
Memorial Day
May 29, 2012
No School - Improvement day
Monthly Membership Luncheon Agenda For May 23rd
HOSTED BY:
Lutherine Community Services
12:30 -12:45 pm 12:45 pm 12:45 -12:50 pm 12:50 -12:55 pm 12:55- 1:00 pm 1:00 - 1:20 pm 1:20- 1:30 pm
1:30 pm Sign-in and Networking
Call to Order
Introductions
Chamber Announcements
Member Announcements
Hospice Volunteers
Lutherine Community Services
Adjournment
Meeting is free to attend!
Please note the new starting time!
2
June 6, 2012
D-Day
June 8, 2012
CCHS Graduation
Crook County- Worksource Oregon
In March, the seasonally adjusted unemployment
rate in Crook County was 13.5 percent. Although
still the highest in the state, this is the lowest that
the rate has been since November 2008. Crook
County’s jobless rate declined by 1.6 percentage points from the March 2011 rate.
The county added 80 jobs in March, a month
when a gain of 70 jobs is the seasonal norm.
Between March 2011 and March 2012, total nonfarm payrolls grew by 140 jobs (2.7%) in Crook
County. Government added 170
jobs over the year; most of those gains
(140 jobs) occurred in local
government. Private-sector employment dropped
by 30 jobs over the year. Sectors with the largest
Website Breakdown
Pageviews
We had 1625 unique visitors from 28 different
countries, accessing 6,668 individual pages.
Home
Members
Contact
Pageviews
Relocating
Visitors spent on average 02:54 minutes on our site,
looking at 3.4 pages per visit. 75.2% of visitors were
new visitors, while 24.8% were returning visitors.
Vacationing
Events
0
500
1000
1500
Find us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/PrinevilleChamber
3
3
Event Calender
May 12, 2012
Central Oregon Pee Wee
Rodeo
Friday – Sunday,
Start Time: 9:00 AM Outdoor Arena
Information: Kelli Rose
541-589-5841
www.copwrc.com
Start: 9:00 am
End: 5:00 pm
Venue:Crook County Fairgrounds
Address:
1280 S. Main St.,
Free Cake decorating for
kids at Ray’s Food Place
We provide the blank cake and a cake
decorator to help if necessary, and let
the kids decorate their own cake for
mom.
May 15,
2012
B2B Class:
How to sign
up and use
Facebook
Facebook can
keep you in
contact with
your loved ones,
friends you
havent seen for
years, and be
inspired by the
thoughts of those
that are wise in
the ways of man.
Start: 5:30 pm
End: 7:30 pm
Start: 11:00 am
Venue:COCC
Open Campus Computer Lab
May 17, 2012
End: 3:00 pm
Address:510 Lynn Blvd,
Venue:Rays Food Place
May 16, 2012
Big Country RV parking
lot show
Address:1535 NE 3rd St,
Lunch-N-Learn
May 14, 2012
HOW INSOMNIA AFFECTS YOUR
MENTAL WELL-BEING !
Are you running on double espresso
all day just to keep your eyes open,
or do you find yourself lying in bed
wide awake staring at the ceiling?
Bring your lunch and join us at this
FREE Lunch-N-Learn
Start: 12:00 pm
End: 1:00 pm
B2B Class: Productivity
Software
Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel
are amazing programs that can help you
figure out math problems, save money,
track expenses, write Christams letters,
make invitations to parties etc.
Start: 5:30 pm
End: 7:30 pm
Venue:COCC Open Campus Computer room
Address:
4
510 Lynn Blvd,
Venue: Rimrock Health Alliance
Phone:541-233-0706
Address:236 N Main Street,
Start: 8:00 am
End: 5:00 pm
Venue:Rays Food Place
Address:1535 Ne 3rd St,
May 17, 2012
Business After Hours
Hosted this month by Oregonians
Credit Union.
Start: 5:30 pm
End: 8:00 pm
Venue:Oregonians Credit Union
Phone:(541) 447-4995
Address:110 Ne 5th St,
All members of the community are
invited to attend the Crook
County Volunteer Fair at the Crook
County Public Library on Monday,
May 14,
2012 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. If you
are looking for opportunities to
serve
your community, you don’t want
to miss the Crook County
Park - Day Use Area
May 19, 2012
Crook County Rodders
Relay for life Roll In &
Swap Meet
Start: 8:00 am
End: 5:00 pm
Venue:Prineville Eagles Lodge
Address:235 NE 4th St,
Prineville Reservoir Star
Party
Gather under the stars at one of
Oregon’s darkest night sky. Daytime
exhibits, solar viewing, presentations
& prizes. Fun kids activities include
meet Oregon State Park’s mascot
JR Beaver, build your own rocket,
learn how a comet is made, come to
our Mars Party and more! Evening
stargazing.
For all ages. Equipment provided.
No cost to attend event/free day-use
parking.
Phone: (541) 923-7551 ext 21
Address:
Drive,
19020 Parkland
May 22, 2012
Merchants Group
Meeting of the Local Merchants.
Start: 7:00 am
End: 8:00 am
Venue:Book and Bean
Phone:(541) 447-3778
Address:
1595 Ne 3rd St ,
Volunteer Fair organizers Big
Brothers Big Sisters, Crook
County DHS and
Volunteer Connect hope interested
citizens will take advantage of this
wonderful opportunity to learn
about volunteer opportunities in
Crook County
Adult $ 10.00 Child $ 5.00 ( under
12) 6 and under are free
For more information about this
and other volunteer events, please
call
For further information Call 541-4682442
Start: 1:00 pm
End: 5:00 pm
End:
Address: Spray, OR
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be on hand to answer questions
about how you can help.
and the invaluable services that
organizations provide in our
community.
Venue:Spray Rodeo Grounds
Venue: Prineville Reservoir State
During the Fair, over 20 local
nonprofit agencies that use
volunteers will
May 26, 2012
65th Annual Spray
Rodeo
Start: 1:00 pm
11:00 pm
Volunteer Fair.
Volunteer Connect at 541-3858977.
Website: www.
volunteerconnectnow.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
VolunteerConnect
The Original Social Network, Pictures from members events
Past Presidents
Lunch
Merchants Pride
Cleanup Day
6
Grand Opening at Advanced Lock & Safe LLC
Members Lunch
at Meadow Lakes
Senator Doug Whitset
joined us this month
2012 Chamber Annual Banquet & Awards Dinner
Crook County Fairgrounds Calender of Events
Central Oregon Pee Wee Rodeo
May 12th – 13th
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Outdoor Arena
Information: Kelli Rose
541-589-5841
www.copwrc.net
Can Chaser Barrel Racing
Tuesday – May 15th
Outdoor Arena
Free to the Public
Information: Judee Hagen
541-416-9099
www.canchaser.com
4-H Animal Weigh-In (small
animal)
Saturday, May 19th
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Grounds
Information: Kim Herber, OSU
Extension
541-447-6228
C.O. Oregon Llama Association
May 19th- 20nd
Start Time: 8:30 AM
Indoor Arena
Free to the Public
Central Oregon Llama Assoc.
Information: Sherry Halligan
541-389-6855 – 541-420-1334
Cell
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.centraloregonllamas.net
OBRA Turn-n-Burn Barrel
Racing
Tuesday – May 22nd
Outdoor Arena
Information: Rhonda
Kingsbury
541-410-9737
E-mail: Superturbopony@aol.
com
USDAA/BAAD
Bend Dog Agility Trials
June 1st – 3rd
Indoor Arena
Free to the Public
Information: Shirley Jacobs
541-350- 8136
www.benddogagility.com
10
Pee Wee Rodeo
June 2 - 3rd
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Outdoor Arena
Information: JR Brown
541-815-4223
www.copwrc.net
OBRA Turn-n-Burn Barrel
Racing
Tuesday – June 5th
Outdoor Arena
Information: Rhonda
Kingsbury
541-410-9737
E-mail:
[email protected]
Crook County Rodders
Saturday, June 9th
Start Time: 7:00 AM
Main Fairgrounds
Free to the Public
Information: Mary-Ann
Tomlinson
541-815-3320
E-mail
[email protected]
www.ccrodders.com
Can Chaser Barrel Racing
Tuesday – June 12th
Outdoor Arena
Free to the Public
Information: Judee Hagen
541-416-9099
www.canchaser.com
Oregon High School Rodeo
Assoc.
(OHSRA) Finals
June 13th - 16th
Outdoor Arena
Information: Bobbi Aldrich
541-815-2470
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.ohsra.org
Jr. P I Livestock Exposition
June 21st– 23rd
Indoor Arena
Free to the Public
Information: www.
pilivestockshow.com
503-793-7856
Rockhound Pow- Wow
June 21st – 24th
Carey Foster Hall & Grounds
Free to the Public
www.
prinevillerockhoundpowwow.
com
Crooked River Roundup
June 21st- 24th
Outdoor Arena
Information: 541-447-4479
www.crookedriverroundup.com
Oregon Association of
Taxidermists Annual Show
June 29th-30th
Carey Foster Hall
Information:
Teresa Simington
541-883-2492
E-mail: protaxidermy@
clearwire.net
OBRA Turn-n-Burn Barrel
Racing
Tuesday – July 10
Outdoor Arena
Information:
Rhonda Kingsbury
541-410-9737
E-mail: Superturbopony@
aol.com
Roundup Horse Racing
July 11-14
Start Time: 3:00 PM
Outdoor Arena
Information: 541-447-4479
www.crookedriverroundup.
com
4-H Horse Fair
July 20-22
Start Time: 8:00 AM
Indoor Arena
4-H Arena
Free to the Public
Information: Kim Herber,
OSU Extension
541-447-6228
Pee Wee Rodeo
July 21-22
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Outdoor Arena
Information: Kelli Rose
541-589-5841
www.copwrc.net
Can Chaser Barrel Racing
Tuesday – July 24
Outdoor Arena
Free to the Public
Information: Judee Hagen
541-416-9099
www.canchaser.com
P.O. Box 507
1280 S. Main St.
Prineville, OR 97754
Ph 541-447-6575 / Fax 541447-3225
[email protected]
For complete Schedule Go
To:
www.crookcountyfairgrounds.
com
Be Money Smart By Shredding and Recycling
How do personal documents, identification cards and cell
phones end up in the wrong hands? Identity thieves break
into homes, offices, vehicles, mailboxes and dumpsters;
while pickpockets physically lift items from individuals.
•Never store private documents in unsecured locations.
•Avoid carrying unneeded cards or saving compromising
details on electronic devices.
•Shred unnecessary, expired private documents, such as
old: credit card applications, financial statements, bills,
insurance paperwork, health forms and junk mail.
The Crook County
Rodders are
collecting items
for “goody bags” to be
handed out on June 9, 2012
to car participants and
spectators at the CRUISE
TO THE CENTER OF
OREGON being held at the
Crook County Fairgrounds?
If any of the businesses
have Promotional items
To help prevent identity theft and secure data during Money Smart Week - April 21
to 28 - shred documents and recycle old cell phones at Better Business Bureau’s free
Secure Your ID Day: akorww.bbb.org/secure-your-id
such as notepads, key
rings, bags, pens/pencils,
etc. – or Discount Coupons, anything appropriate
On Saturday, April 21, join BBB from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (PST), as items are shred
on-the-spot for free. Drive up to drop off up to three bags or boxes of unwanted
documents per person; no cardboard or three-ring binders. Donate old cell phones to
Verizon’s HopeLine, supporting victims of domestic abuse.
with the business name,
this will help to promote
their enterprise. It can be
any quantity from 1 to 300
and we have the drop off
Wells Fargo Alaska at 745 E Dimond Blvd. in Anchorage, Alaska, with Shred Alaska.
US Bank of Oregon at 4505 SW Hall Blvd. in Beaverton, Ore., with Shred-it.
box there at the Chamber
of Commerce office, 102
NW 2nd Street, Prineville,
Wilson Motors at 1100 Iowa St. in Bellingham, Wash., with A-1 Shredding.
set up for their conve-
America’s Credit Union at 1495 Wilmington Dr. in DuPont, Wash., with Cintas.
nience. . If they should
have items that they prefer
to schedule to be picked
up, contact Wanda Frisby.
Additional information
can be obtained on the
Website: www.ccrodders.com or Email:
[email protected]
11
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inspiring, challenging, or cracking up your
customer, you’ve hit the jackpot. Take a
look through trending topics on Twitter,
top videos on YouTube, and your own
social feeds for inspiration.
4 Ways To Create Brand Content
People Actually Care About
We sing the praises of brands that
appear to effortlessly lead the social
conversation--Tom’s Shoes, Virgin
America, Chipotle--while simultaneously
hitting “refresh” on our Facebook likes,
completely missing the point.
begins with the organization. Perform
a communication audit of existing
collateral, creative assets, and positioning
from the perspective of the customer.
There are likely many existing content
resources that with a bit of shine can
be revitalized into powerful content
The numbers game (fans, followers,
marketing pieces--just take a look
traffic, sign-ups, sales) will always fail
at the amazing photography that the
as long as we fail to connect to what
New York Times incorporated into its
the customer cares about: footwear that
Facebook timeline. However, be a fierce
makes a difference, a travel experience
that makes flying fun, fresh food and great editor, ruthless about sending things
music. Marketing strategies will maintain to the cutting room floor. Ask yourself
honestly, “Is this any good?” “Do these
their mediocre successes as long as we
images make me feel the right kind of
keep expecting engagement and loyalty
something?” “Is this worth sharing?”
from our customers without giving them
In addition to reviewing existing
the same consideration. However, by
materials, gather opinions about content
investing time and resources to develop
opportunities and upcoming milestones
great gobs of gorgeous content with
from staff members. Involve your entire
compelling, interesting messages worth
sharing, the scales will tip, the pendulum organization in a creative brainstorm to
uncover the compelling stories that are
will swing.
already happening, ripe for the
Whether your goal is to galvanize public
telling.
awareness around an important social
issue or showcase new spring denim
colors, aim to deliver relevant, sharable
content for your customer across multiple
touch points that connect to their life
moments.
Here are some considerations when
introducing strategic content strategy into
the mix:
Start with what you already have.
Content development and process
12
Let the social conversation lead. Some
of the best advice I’ve heard about
writing is to “listen to your audience and
they’ll write your copy for you.” The
social web is a goldmine for business
intelligence. Make a point to listen and
learn from what people are saying about
you, your competitors, and the world at
large. When you find out what is
Abide by your customer’s to-do list. As
the editor in chief of your organization,
develop an editorial calendar that takes
into account key dates not only in your
industry, but those that matter to your
customer. Your annual sales meeting
or tradeshow booth might be a big deal
to you, but what about it is interesting
to your customer? How can you bring
them into the fold? Maybe it’s a series of
quick “nice to meet you” videos for your
Facebook community with the C-suite,
or a Twitter contest to crowdsource the
name of this season’s new laptop bag, then
announced via live-feed during a special
customer Q&A. For clothing brand Free
People, the music festival Coachella was
an important enough event to warrant a
how-to video on DIY body paint for ontrend festival decoration.
Make transmedia your best friend. Get
the most value out of investing in content
by including multiple platforms and
varied content around singular campaigns.
During the planning phase, consider the
different ways to connect to your audience
and decide ahead of time to develop and
integrate several of these platforms into
your approach. Behind-the-scenes still
shots at a video shoot can be published to
Instagram, and money-saver tips used as
website copy can be turned into a series of
illustrated JPEGs and posted to Pinterest.
Of course, it’s not necessary to always
use every platform, but it is necessary to
consider each platform.
Now is the time to augment the traditional
marketing conversion funnel with a
strategic content strategy. Whether
you imagine your brand storytelling like
the great American novel, celebrity blog,
or must-see television comedy, know that
sales are a natural outcome of placing
value, connecting your brand to the
broader issues and ideas that interest your
customer.
Advertise in the Observer!
New 2012 Observer Advertising Rates
Full Page
1/2 Page
Full Page B&W $ 50.00
1/2 Page B&W $30.00
Full Page Color $ 60.00
Page Color $40.00
Back Cover
Margin
Back Cover B&W $ 75.00
Margin B&W $10.00
Back Cover Color $ 85.00
Margin Color $15.00
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Advetising is also availible
on the Chambers Website.
Please contact Jamie for more
information.
541-447-6304 or
[email protected]
IMMEDIATE RELEASE through May 15, 2012
Contact:
Dee Berman
Phone 447-6553
Hours 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. M-F
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Oregon Secretary of State and the Crook County Clerk’s Office are committed to
making voting more accessible to people with disabilities.
The Help America Vote Act has provided funding to assist states and counties with
this goal. Any voter who needs assistance in voting in the May 15 Primary Election
because they have trouble filling out traditional paper ballots is invited to contact the
Crook County Clerk’s Office at (541) 447-6553 for assistance.
Accessible ballot marking can be completed by using special computer equipment
which is available at the Crook County Clerk’s Office or by appointment at local
facilities.
• Using the iPad, disabled voters can call up the right ballot and tap the screen to pick
a candidate and ballot measures.
• Voters with poor vision can adjust the font size and screen color, or have the computer read the ballot out loud.
• The voters then print the completed ballot and place it in their return ballot envelope,
sign it and return it to the Elections Office.
Ballots for the May 15 election will be delivered to the Prineville Post Office for mailing on April 27, 2012. Accessible ballot marking will be available between April 30
and May 15 at the Crook County Clerk’s Office on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse
Room 23 located at 300 NE Third St., Prineville. In addition, the County Clerk can
schedule a time to come to facilities and offer voters access to the iPad for ballot
marking.
Any voter wishing to utilize this new program for accessible ballot marking is asked
to please bring their RETURN ballot envelope with them when they come to mark
their ballot. The voter must be an active registered voter. If the voter is unsure of their
registration status, our Elections Official can verify their status through the Oregon
Secretary of State’s website.
Any residential facility or senior center wishing to set up a time for the County Clerk
and Elections staff to set up at their facility to provide access to our iPad ballot marker
is encouraged to call the Crook County Clerk’s Office at (541) 447-6553 to schedule
an appointment. Please make an appointment early in the election cycle because the
last few days before an election are typically busy and there may be a longer wait.
Dee Berman, c.c.c
Crook County Clerk
300 NE Third St., Room 23
Prineville, OR 97754
“Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to
have for dinner”
14
New Members for March 2012
Business: Name Crook County Patrol Services
Contact: Name Tara Smith
Address: 779 N. Main St,Prineville, OR 97754
Phone # 541-416-0280
Business Name: Krider Law Office, LLC
Contact Name: Ellen Krider
Address: 203 N. Main St, Prineville, OR 97754
Phone # 541-447-1830
Upcoming B2B Classes
May 14, 2012
B2B Class: Productivity Software
Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel are amazing programs
that can help you figure out math problems, save money,
track expenses, write Christams letters, make invitations to
parties etc.
May 15, 2012
B2B Class: How to sign up and use
Facebook
Business Name: Cascade Wireless
Contact Name:Yaneli Tapia
Address:1565 NE 3rd St. Prineville, OR 97754
Phone # 541-447-9848
Business Name: Advanced Lock & Safe
Contact Name: Beverly Timmer
Address: 311 NW Beaver St Prineville, OR
97754
Phone # 541-416-9500
Business Name:Brasada Ranch
Contact Name:Brent McLean
Address:16986 SW Brasada Ranch Rd. Powell
Butte, OR 97753
Phone # 541-526-6865
Business Name: Caffe Luxxe
Address: 233 NW 3rd St.Street, Prineville, OR
Phone # 541-233-0771
Facebook can keep you in contact with your loved ones,
friends you havent seen for years, and be inspired by the
thoughts of those that are wise in the ways of man.
15
Ten Ways for Small Businesses to Use LinkedIn
There are over twelve million small-business people on LinkedIn, which is roughly 20
percent of its total user base.
Many of these small-business people are using the site in ways you’d commonly imagine:
finding leads, growing their business globally, or finding the right vendors. Here is a list of
ten additional ways small businesses can use LinkedIn:
Acquire new customers through online
recommendations and word of mouth. Satisfied
customers are the best source of new customers. Increase
your word of mouth referrals by asking your happy
clients to write you a recommendation, which will be published on your LinkedIn profile
and will be broadcast to their entire LinkedIn network.
Keep in touch with people who care most about your business. Sites like LinkedIn help
keep your business alive in the minds of the people who care most about your business.
LinkedIn is effective for two reasons: the business intent of LinkedIn users and fewer
status updates, which mean you stay on top of mind. Tip: You can also increase the impact
of your status updates by syncing your LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.
Find the right vendors to outsource services you’re not an expert on. Think of the
number of times you’ve asked your colleagues if they knew of a great web designer or
photographer. LinkedIn makes it easy for you to find and vet vendors through the network
of your peers. Additionally, you can also trade services with your vendor connections on
LinkedIn; sort of a mutual referral system.
Build your industry network—online and in person. Search LinkedIn’s Groups
directory to find industry associations and networks to take part in. For example, if
you’re in the event planning or wedding industry, there are over 530 groups. In addition,
LinkedIn also surfaces popular events in your industry calling out local events that your
connections are attending. Imagine being able to find only industry events that your
prospective clients are attending.
Get answers to tough business questions with a little help from your real friends. Small
business owners deal with challenging questions on a slew of topics each day. LinkedIn
Answers and Groups let you find answers to those vexing questions quickly by tapping
into the wisdom of your network (LinkedIn tells me there are over 200 different categories
on Answers including one dedicated just to small business and over 2000 groups on small
business related topics). Wondering whether your recent office purchase is tax deductible?
Check out hundreds of questions on related topics here.
Win new business by answering questions in your area of expertise. Use the many forums
on LinkedIn to share the knowledge you’ve gained in your area of expertise. This is a
great opportunity to win new business or at least find prospective clients to pitch your
business to. Prospective customers will find your answers when they use LinkedIn’s ad-
Raise funding. You can use LinkedIn to find mentors or potential investors for your startup
because there are over three million startup professionals and over 12M small business professionals on LinkedIn and it’s always good to stay in touch with folks who’ve been there,
done that and willing to mentor you. Once you’re connected, your participation on LinkedIn
(answers, status updates or group conversations) may even cause them to consider investing
in your small business.
Network with peers in your industry for repeat business referrals. LinkedIn Groups is a powerful medium
to find peers in your respective industries to network
with and to find complimentary businesses to share referrals with. For example, mortgage brokers can find
real estate agents to partner with on relevant groups
and as most small businesses know, these partners are
your best source of referrals that can turn into repeat
business. With over 2000 groups dedicated to small
business topics, you’re sure to find a relevant group to
network.
Convince potential customers of your expertise by sharing unique blog con Keep your
friends close and your competition closer. Over 150,000 companies have a company profile
on LinkedIn, the “public profile” for companies. These pages surface key stats on companies; recent hires as well movers and shakers. Not only do company profiles give you unique
insight into your competition, they also give you an opportunity to stumble upon potential
hires by browsing through company pages.
I hope this helps you take LinkedIn beyond the usual uses and makes your small business
even more successful. tent. Small businesses smart enough to create unique content on their
expertise (either with a blog or twitter account) should link to it from their LinkedIn profiles.
Or take it one step further by promoting featured blog content to LinkedIn members on the
site (for e.g. with small text ads). You can specify exactly who will see your ads—Executives or VPs—and include a link to your profile so they know who’s behind this content.
This Month’s Technology Tip
Introducing Prezi
About Prezi
Prezi is a cloud-based
presentation software
that opens up a new
world between whiteboards and slides. The
To watch Video, click on Picture
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zoomable canvas makes
it fun to explore ideas and
the connections between
them. The result: visually
captivating presentations
that lead your audience
down a path of discovery.
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