March 2015 Newsletter Platinum Level Viral Marketing: From Word of Mouth to Social Media to Search Engines SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business" Gold Level Silver Level Bronze Level Word of Mouth Marketing In the Real World In a conversation when people share their positive experiences about a specific product, service or business, their opinion becomes more of an endorsement. When businesses consistently deliver consumer satisfaction then the word of mouth often pays off in the long run. When it comes to long term customers, it often starts from that first experience. First impression matters especially if it's based on the positive experience. Just like businesses looking for loyal customers, customers are also looking for a business that can satisfy their comfort zone. As customers continue to experience consistencies in satisfaction, they become loyal customers. Customer loyalty often brings in more customers through the word of mouth. From Word of Mouth to Social Media When people share their shopping and dining experiences on their social media page then it takes word of mouth publicity one step further. Viral publicity through social media did not exist decades ago but today it has become a major advantage for businesses and a disadvantage in some cases. People add preferred business pages to their collection of pages that they are following on social media and at times they even engage in the business blog posts by sharing their own comments. Many customers even post location “check in” on their own page which help increase the business exposure. Since viral publicity is a big component of social Greater Tehachapi Chamber Of Commerce 209 E Tehachapi Blvd P.O. Box 401 Tehachapi, CA 93581 661 822-4180 Fax 661 822-9036 www.tehachapi.com media, businesses get more exposure through their target market and general population, and this is just another channel of word of mouth marketing. From Social Media to Search Engines Not only does social media help spread the word of mouth experiences, it's also a bridge between word of mouth publicity and search engine based exposure. Social media posts are actually a form of blogs and spiders or web crawlers attract to blogs. This also means that the blogs will get picked up by the spiders or web crawlers to be indexed on search engines. Then when potential customers conduct any form of research online about a specific product, service or business, they see ratings, reviews, videos, blog or similar posts, and then they go directly to the found content. Viral publicity from the word of mouth to social media has definitely changed the way businesses do business today. Like positive feedbacks, negative feedbacks spread very quickly. However, many businesses that pay close attention to customer feedbacks consider some of the negative feedbacks as constructive criticism to improve the quality of their product or service. The key here is marketing technique. We all know the power of viral publicity. It's mostly free and the biggest investment is time and strategy. Whether it's a product or service, it's all about the end user or consumer experience. As it's been said, “word of mouth marketing is the best form of marketing”. So give your customers an experience, something that they can talk about. Your Chamber Working For You We'd like to share some ways we have promoted your business last month… Phone Calls Office Visitors 253 175 Referrals Directories 1725 58 Information Maps Packets 20 52 March Chamber Network Luncheon Luncheon Sponsored by Miles Muzio Chief Meteorologist Please join the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce at our March Chamber Network Luncheon, Tuesday, March 17, 2015, 12:00 p.m. at Pacino's Pizzeria - Pastaria 1100 Tehachapi Blvd, #A. Our guest speaker will be Miles Muzio, Chief Meteorologist with KBAK. Miles will be discussing the drought, weather and climate change. Miles Muzio has worked within the field of meteorology as a weather forecaster, media broadcaster and consultant for 37 years. At 5 years old on Okinawa, Miles and his family lived through a typhoon and from that time on his passion was to understand weather. As a military meteorologist in the U.S. Air Force for 12 years, he has analyzed weather in all parts of the world. His severe storm skills were honed while at Global Weather Central in Omaha, Nebraska in the 1970s, where he issued storm warnings for the entire nation. Miles is an avid severe storm chaser and has flown into hurricanes. His television career began as a weekend weathercaster in Anchorage, Alaska. As we shared with those attending the Chamber's February Networking Luncheon, the Tehachapi News wants to publish news about your business or non-profit organization. Here are some guidelines for what we typically will publish and how to get your news in the paper (and on our website, TehachapiNews.com); many events and milestones may be newsworthy; considering limits of space and staff, these are the ones we are most likely to publish: • Business opening, changing ownership or changing location • One-year anniversary • Other milestone anniversaries: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, etc. • Awards or accomplishments within industry • Open to the public events such as entertainment, Miles attended Texas A&M University and graduated with honors classes or workshops from the U.S. Air Force School of Meteorology. He is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, and earned that designation from the It’s important to note that: American Meteorological Society (AMS) in 2005. Additionally, • We do not tie our news coverage to purchase of Miles received the AMS Seals of Approval for Television in 1983 advertising. and Radio in 1985. He also holds the National Weather Association (NWA) Television Seal of Approval (1992) and founded the Kern • The deadline for most items is at noon each Wednesday Chapter of the NWA in 2006. He is both a meteorologist and station a week in advance of desired publication. Earlier is scientist. Over the years Miles worked at various television stations better! throughout America, including Anchorage, San Antonio, New • We are never able to guarantee that an article or photo Orleans, Portland, St. Louis and Hartford. He has written several will be published, or when or where it will be papers on forecasting techniques with additional research that has published. led to UV radiation forecasting methods and a process to predict the onset of El Nino conditions in the Pacific. His experience ranges • The amount of space dedicated to any of the above is from arctic work in Alaska to tropical forecasting in Panama. dependent upon our overall space and other news demands. Miles has been married to his wife Deborah for 34 years and has 2 sons, Aaron and Micah. • There are many times that a business should plan to purchase paid advertising to promote events, Miles has a considerable background in weather, broadcasting and accomplisments, etc. civic enrichment. You can watch his weathercasts Monday through Friday at 5, 6, 10 and 11. He can also be heard throughout the day • We do not reproduce posters, fliers, postcards, etc. in forecasting the weather on KERN AM-1180 radio. our news columns — instead we recommend you submit information in a news release format. You can e-mail Miles at [email protected]. For more information call us at 822-6828 or send email to: The cost is $15 for Chamber Members, $20 for Non-Chamber [email protected]. members, which includes lunch. Reservations are required. Please make your reservation by calling the Chamber at 661-822-4180. Reservation deadline is Friday, February 13, 2015. 2 2015 Board of Directors C hairperson Marty Pay Farmers Insurance C hair Elect Jim Wallace Tehachapi Cancer Foundation Treasurer Jay Thompson is the lead business consultant at the CSU Bakersfield Small Business Development Center. Over the past four years Thompson’s SBDC clients have created over 200 jobs and reported over $18 million in capital infusion. Thompson has 28 years of experience in business management and specializes in business creation, partnership building, product management, legal structure and maximizing profitability. SBDC counselors can offer individual advice and guidance concerning the formation, management, financing and operation of your business. Counseling is provided at no charge to qualified businesses (the business must have less than 500 employees). Individuals who are considering starting a business are also eligible for counseling. Kathy Carey BVS Properties • Directors • Susan Abrego Tehachapi Cleaning ProZ Lorraine Berry Individual Carl Gehricke TBB SBDC counselors have significant experience in the private sector, and many have extensive management and financial consulting backgrounds like Thompson. Carolyn Wiles Terra-Gen Power, LLC Small Business owners may gain the knowledge needed to make their businesses excel by attending the many training classes held throughout Central California. Classes are offered in specialized subjects and management basics for new business ventures. Staff View a current list of our training events and workshops or register for service by clicking here. Areas of training include: •Accounting/budgeting • Business planning • Cash flow management • Computers in small business • Customer relations • International trade • Legal issues • Managing a business • Managing employees •Marketing/sales • Patents and trademarks •Procurement/purchasing • SBIR and STTR • Tax planning • Technology, including e-commerce Ida Perkins President Heather Pardus Receptionist You may reach Jay at 661-510-7440 or email at [email protected]. Congressman McCarthy, Senator Fuller, and Assemblywoman Grove Mobile Office Hours at the Chamber Government Representatives will hold office hours at the Chamber office on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 from 10 to 11 AM. For appointments, contact the following representatives: Congressman McCarthy, Representative Keenan Hochschild, 661-327-3611 Senator Fuller, Representative Romeo Agbalog, 661-323-0443 Assemblywoman Grove, Representative Javier Reyes, 661-395-2995 3 Chamber Member Anniversary Celebrations Chamber Directors Marty Pay and Jim Wallace; Chamber President Ida Perkins; Chamber Ambassadors Tina Larson and Susan Lokey joined owner Terri Ables for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Applegate Garden Florist on Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Applegate Garden Florist is located at 1121-H Valley Blvd. For more information call 661-823-0100. Congratulations Terri!!!!! Marty and Jim presented Terri with a Certificate of Congratulations from the Chamber. Ribbon Cutting! Come join us to celebrate the ribbon cutting of our new printing company: South Street Digital, Inc. When: Friday, March 13, 2015 Where: 20825 South Street, Unit B Tehachapi, CA Hors d’oeuvres catered by: What Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Grand Opening! Come join us to celebrate the grand opening of our new printing company: South Street Digital, Inc. When: Saturday, March 14, 2015 Where: 20825 South Street, Unit B Tehachapi, CA Food catered by: What Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 4 SAVE THE DATES! "Business After Hours " Chamber Mixer Schedule HOSTED BY March 11th American Pacific Mortgage April 8th Available May 13th Charlotte L. Ruse, Legal Document Service June 10th The Woods Pavilion July 8th J. Williams Personal Financial Planning, Inc. September 9th RST Cranes, Inc. October 14th Available Mixers are a great opportunity to meet your business neighbors and community members in an informal setting. These events are a great way to share information about your business and learn about other members. If interested in hosting a Chamber Mixer, please contact us at 661-822-4180. The Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Coggno.com, offers a selection of online training courses for purchase directly from the Chamber website. We’ve hand-picked courses that we feel are relevant to our businesses and their employees, as well as an individuals looking for additional education. Course topics include Human Resources, Compliance, Business Management, Safety, Software and much more. All courses will be available on-demand, 24/7. The training courses are specifically designed to address many of the issues around risk and liability faced by businesses today, as well as develop the skills of your employees. To view course selection click here. If you have questions about our online training courses, please give us a call 661-822-4180. 5 35 Years Welcome Our Newest Members March Membership Anniversaries 10 Years Southern California Gas Co High Desert Wireless Klein, DeNatale, Goldner Tehachapi Pet Lodge & Outfitters 27 Years Century Glass 25 Years 9 Years 23 Years 8 Years 22 Years 7 Years Bottom Line Bookkeeping Service Kathryn Ortiz 100 S. Robinson St Tehachapi, CA 93561 661-823-4921 Don Juan's Asian Health Project & SB First Cook Aspen Builders, Inc. National Chavez Center Oaktree Medical Group RE/MAX Tehachapi, Inc. Sierra Family Care Tehachapi Hospital The Heat Source Kern Economic Development Corp Tehachapi Cleaning ProZ Triassic Legacy Vineyards 21 Years Henry's Cafe Village Grill tehachapi.com working for our members We'd like to share with you a summary of our website business directory activity last month 6 Years Pacino's Pizzeria - Pastaria 20 Years 5 Years B S & E Rents Adorable Alpacas Big 5 Sporting Goods Jennifer's Terrace Moses/Master Carpet Principal Financial Group/Charlotte MacKelvey The Dressing Room 18 Years Tacos Samich 15 Years Catholic Daughters Ct St Malacy #2360 14 Years 3 Years Access Real Estate/Paul & Mary Ann Durnell Haddad Dodge The Loop Newspaper Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant Mountain Music/Fiddlers Crossing Main Directory Search Page Visits 514 Alphabetical Listing Search 188 Categorical Listing Search Search For New Member Listing Referred to Member Website Emails Sent to Members Member Map Views Calls Placed to Members Category Sponsor Ad California Total Insurance Services Country Oak Bed & Biscuit Inn Mountain Vista Sierra Care, LLC National University Tehachapi Curves for Women 3,529 33 20 1,352 43 234 4,190 10 2 Years 12 Years The Law Offices of Young Wooldridge Coldwell Banker Best Realty/Carol Chase Waves of Tech Shofner Automotive 1 Year Tehachapi Valley Recreation & The Animal Education Center at Parks District Windswept Ranch, Inc. 11 Years Charlotte L. Ruse Legal Document Service CST-The Composites Store SCORE Bakersfield Wood Family Funeral Service Tractor Supply Co Waddell & Reed This space could be yours! Call the Chamber for information on putting your business card and web link 29 Renewing Members Strengthen Chamber and Business Community The following members renewed their commitment to the Chamber from January 28, 2015 through February 24, 2015. Please thank them for their support and patronize their businesses whenever possible! Member Since AFLAC Insurance/Catherine Estes AltaOne Federal Credit Union Antelope Valley Chevrolet Aspen Builders, Inc The Barn Summit Brookfield Renewable Energy Ceasar E. Chavez National Monument Don Juan's Glenwood Gardens Greg S. Martin AIA 2010 2007 2011 2007 1997 2012 2014 2006 2013 2009 Member Since Honey Wagon Brewing Horse Thief Country Club John The Plumber-Cal City Plumbing Mercy Air Service Monument Commercial Insurance Agency Murray Family Farms NEXTera Energy Resources Oak Valley, Inc Placer Title Company Primo Burgers 2014 2009 2013 2014 2012 2005 1999 1989 2014 2007 Member Since Rose Garden Estate 2014 Rotary Club of Tehachapi 2008 Sheridan's2013 SunPower Corporation 2013 Tehachapi Flower Shop/Downtown 1988 Yogurt Junction Tehachapi Manor 2011 Tehachapi Mini Storage 2001 Triassic Legacy Vineyards 2008 Union Bank 1997 6 Chamber Services For Members Only 2015 California Employment Poster Set Available Now!!! Mailing Labels $35.00 Electronic (Excel) Mailing List $50.00 Make sure your business is in compliance. Even if you only have one employee, you can be fined $17,000 for not posting required notices. Our poster includes all notices in one convenient poster. Pick yours up Today!!! Employment Posters 2015 Members Non-Members $55.00 $74.00 Directory of Members Available to all at No Charge Website Advertising - Members Only Contact Chamber Office for pricing and options Free to Members Only Display of Cards & Brochures in the Chamber Office Referrals From: Phone Calls Walk-In's Internet First Hotspot in Newsletter (first 90 days of membership) The 2015 California and Federal Employment Poster Set is now available at the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce. The price is $55.00 for members and $74.00 for non-members, which includes Poster Protect. Pick yours up Today!!!! Advertising - Members Only Newsletter Hotspot Newsletter Card per month per year Relocation Packet Insert/per year $ 35.00 $ 25.00 $200.00 $125.00 shop local ! Support your local business community www.tehachapi.com 4 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Calendar of Events March 2015 For detailed information on events, visit our Community Calendar at www.tehachapi.com 1 8 Celebrity Bartender for Charity Souza Family Vineyard 2-5 PM 15 Celebrity Bartender for Charity Souza Family Vineyard 2-5 PM 22 2 City Council Mtg 6 PM Claude L Wells Education Center 9 Board of Directors Mtg Chamber Office 5:30 PM 10 16 City Council Mtg 6 PM Claude L Wells Education Center 29 3 23 30 17 4 GTEDC Mtg 7:30 AM Apple Shed 11 Chamber Mixer hosted by American Pacific Mortgage 5-7 PM 1001 W Tehachapi Blvd, Ste A100 661-822-5523 5 12 18 19 25 26 6 7 13 14 First Friday Art Reception 5-8 PM South Street Digital Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting 3-5 PM Ribbon Cutting 3:30 PM 20825 South St, Unit B 661-823-4908 20 South Street Digital Grand Opening 10 AM-3 PM 20825 South St, Unit B 661-823-4908 21 Government Reps See page 3 for appt info CHAMBER LUNCHEON Pacino's 12:00 PM 24 31 27 28 7
© Copyright 2024