April 2011
QR Codes: A Hot Trend Getting Hotter!
QR codes are showing up in all sorts of new and clever places, like on the back of this t-shirt at the recent Marketing Profs Digital Marketing Forum. It reads “R U Following Me?”
Source: fivesparrow.com In the January 2011 issue of Biz Talk, we gave you a little background on QR codes, and showed you five ways to use them to market your business (you can refresh your memory here). QR codes are catching on fast – a recent survey from Mobio revealed a 1200% increase in QR code usage during the last three months of with a large QR code printed 2010. directly underneath. (Photo In this article, we’re going to courtesy of Aneta Hall’s blog.) share some more examples of creative and innovative ways to Although these codes are popping up everywhere, use QR codes and help you businesses must think of ways learn more about one of the hottest marketing trends online to implement QR codes so they provide something truly today! valuable to users. A business
that simply re-directs a QR code to its website home page is missing the point. Using QR codes gives you a chance to truly impress and engage your users anywhere, and gives them something of value in exchange for interacting with your business. To help encourage your creative thinking, here are some other clever examples of using QR codes: New York City is now implementing QR codes on City building permits. This will enable residents to scan the code on the permit and get instant details on the project, read complaints that have been filed or violations that have been found, or log a complaint of their own.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Page 1 April Calendar
Page 2 A note from the President
Page 5 Welcome New Members
Page 6 Happening in Hillsdale
April Chamber Calendar of Events *** indicates all may attend April 6*** Ribbon Cutting Michigan Gold Buyers 17 West Carleton, Hillsdale 1:15 PM April 12 Car Show Committee Meeting Chamber Office 6:30 PM April 21 - 23*** Texas Hold ‘Em Hillsdale Hunt Club 6 PM - 2 AM
April 22*** Ribbon Cutting Wal Mart 701 Olds street 7:30 AM
April 28*** Ribbon Cutting Russell Cellular - Verizon 262 West Carleton, Hillsdale 10 AM
April 22 Celebrate Business Dinner Award Recipient Selection Committee Chamber Office 2 PM - 4 PM
April 28*** 10:45 AM Chamber Chat WCSR - 92.1 FM/1340 AM
April 26 Car Show Committee Meeting Chamber Office 6:30 PM
April 28*** Hello Hillsdale County Lunch Saucy Dog’s BBQ 11:45 AM May 7*** Hillsdale County Annual Business Showcase & Taste of Hillsdale County Hillsdale County Fairgrounds 9 AM - 2 PM
April 28-30*** Battle of the Dealers Used Car Sale Hillsdale County Fairgrounds April 21*** Thursday - Friday - 10 AM - 9 PM May 9*** Ribbon Cutting Saturday - 10 AM - 6 PM Celebrate Business Annual Dinner Memories for Life & Awards Presentation 79 North Howell Street- Hillsdale Olivia’s Chop House 1 PM 6 PM - Hors d’oeuvres 6:30 PM - Dinner Awards to follow
W
elcome Lynn Burkett to the Chamber! Lynn has joined the Chamber team part time. Lynn previously worked for the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Chapter. Her non-profit experience and office skills are a great asset to our team. She and her husband Kevin have two daughters Erin & Megan. They own and operate Burkett’s Antiques. Please give Lynn a warm welcome when you meet her.
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A NOTE FROM Dear Chamber Member, Spring is around the corner and our busy season is beginning to heat up as well. We have many events scheduled over the next several weeks. Shuffle and deal! April 21-23, we will host the first of four Texas Hold ‘Em events at The Hunt Club. Monies raised from the Hold ‘Em tournaments help bridge the financial gap between membership dues and operational costs. In the market for a used vehicle? Hillsdale County car dealers will set up shop April 28-30 at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds where they battle to see who will sell the most cars. In addition to unbelievable auto prices, fair food, a bounce house and much more will make this one used car sale you will not want to miss. Join us for three days of wheeling & dealing while supporting Hillsdale County businesses. The following weekend, the Hillsdale County Chamber, Reading Chamber and Litchfield Chamber along with the Hillsdale Business Association and the Village of North Adams will partner to bring the Annual Spring Business Showcase on May 7. This event will take place at the New Merchants Building at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds. Area restaurants, deli’s, caterers and coffee houses are invited to participate in the annual Taste of Hillsdale County which will accompany this event. This is a great opportunity to see what area businesses have to offer while sampling foods from throughout the county. If that isn’t enough, join us for some food, fun, and awards at our Celebrate Business Annual Dinner on May 9 at Olivia’s Chop House. We will honor Hillsdale County Chamber Member businesses and businesspeople for their accomplishments in 2010. The theme this year is Cheeseburger in Paradise and I am certain you will not want to miss this island good time and one lucky dinner attendee will leave with a $500 travel voucher. We would like to give away additional prizes promoting local businesses. If you would like to donate an item for this event, please contact us as soon as possible. As always, if there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me. Regards,
Karri Doty, IOM President/Executive Director
Low-Budget High-Impact Marketing Plan By: Darrell Zahorsky Source: About.com The secret to creating a highimpact marketing plan is to optimize your limited budget. A onetime radio ad blitz, glossy brochure, or flash-enabled website will quickly erode your budget and derail your marketing plans. Use low-budget
marketing to get your message out spent should produce a good return to your customers on a regular ba- in sales. sis, and watch sales revenue grow. * Your target customers need to hear your marketing messages at There are several reasons why a least 7 times to influence a buying low-budget marketing plan is a decision. Using marketing & sales must for small business in today's strategies outside your budget, advertising bloated society: doesn't allow you to repeat your message often enough to make an * Expensive ad exposure does impact. not necessarily translate to increased sales. Just ask Super Bowl advertiser Pet.com, whose sock Continued on page 13 puppet commercial was a hit with consumers, but left the company bankrupt. Every marketing dollar
Low-Budget High-Impact
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QR codes are helping users connect the physical world with the digital world. You no longer Add a QR code to your vehicle’s need to be commercial lettering that takes sitting in front users to a mobile-enabled of your landing page with online computer to meeting scheduling and other access contact mechanisms – much information on Continued from front cover cooler than dialing an the web; you 800 number or leaving a voice can now access it from Self-guided tours, walking trails, message! anywhere using a smart phone or historical attractions can be and other mobile devices. enhanced with QR codes. Scan the code to get more details, On cocktail napkins at an event, QR codes make accessing this watch a video of an expert information faster, easier, and speaking, or get a special offer a printed QR code could give users access to digital coupons more valuable for users, and on related merchandise or for drink specials (compliments provides businesses with events associated with the site. of your company) that can be trackable, measurable redeemed at the event. At a conference, a QR code at marketing data. the building’s entrance could deliver the day’s agenda, and With the growing popularity of QR codes QR codes, now is the perfect outside time to explore using them to seminar rooms provide real value and could give convenience to your customers. users access to It’s only a matter of time before the start time these codes are part of our daily of the next lives, so make sure your session, topic business is ready. details, or a video of the speaker.
QR Codes: A Hot Trend Getting Hotter!
At public transportation stops like train or subway stations and bus stops, QR codes could be used to provide real-time info on current scheduling delays or alternate routes. At a grocery store, QR codes beside a product could give users access to recipes that use
that product, or to suggest related items and “go-withs”.
Recently on the Jimmy Fallon show, the musical guest was introduced with Fallon holding up a large QR code (instead of holding up the CD or album cover) that when scanned, took viewers to a video clip of the musical guest’s latest release.
The views expressed in the Commerce Connection may not necessarily reflect the views of the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce or its staff. Page 4
Chamber Lottery Tickets are currently on sale for May. Tickets are $10 each and are good for the entire month of May. You can win multiple times during the month. Proceeds benefit many service organizations as well as the Chamber’s general fund which helps sustain operations. If you are interested in purchasing a lottery ticket, please contact any Chamber Board Member or call the office at 437-6401 to get yours today.
Custom Drywall Service Randy Fitton 6811 Moreland Road ‐ Jones‐ ville, MI 49250 517‐398‐4466 Hanging & finishing drywall and painting
Dalton Spray Foam & Insulation Russ Dalton 322 East Main Street North Adams, MI 49262 (517) 398‐2209 Insulation
David’s Dolce Vita Debra Kamen 34 North Howell Street ‐ Hillsdale, MI 49242 (517) 437‐3351 www.davidsgalleria.com Wine merchant & tobacconist Jackson Printing Randy Hoyt 3136 Francis Street ‐ Jackson, MI 49203 (517) 783‐2705 printing & mailing services Page 5
Do you have a product, program or service you would like others to know about? Call the Chamber today at 517-437-6401 to have your business listed as a featured member.
Russell Cellular ‐ Verizon 262 West Carleton Road ‐ Hillsdale, MI 49242 (517) 437‐5910 Wireless Communications
Volunteer Energy Ted Jansen 96 North Broad Street ‐ Hillsdale, MI 49242 (517) 425‐4974 Alternative natural gas supplier
WBZV ‐ Buzz 102.5 Leandra Diebrich & Moneca Monroe 121 West Maumee Street ‐ Adrian, MI 49221 517‐265‐9500 Radio Broadcasting & Advertising
Happening in
Hillsdale County Wal Mart will be hosting a re-grand Michigan Gold Buyers opened a opening on April 22, 7:30 AM to Hillsdale location at 17 West showcase their renovations. Carleton Road, Hillsdale. Olivia’s Chop House will begin serving Sunday Brunch on April 17 from 10 am to 2 p.m. 26 students from Jonesville High School were honored with an Academic Excellence Award at the Michigan FFA State Convention in East Lansing, more than any other school chapter in the state.
Hillsdale Community Health Center hosted more than 100 area high school students to take a look at the healthcare field during a career fair.
Emergency Financial Manager Legislation Job creation is the main priority in Lansing. In order to create a positive atmosphere for job creation, we must first get our fiscal house in order, at both the state and local level. I want to take this opportunity to share with you information about the recently passed emergency financial manager legislation that has drawn a lot of attention in the past two weeks. I would like to share my thoughts on the legislation and, hopefully, clear up some misconceptions about the new law.
Hillsdale County’s population rose from 46,527 in 2000 to 46,688 in 2010. Jenkins Golf Course in Litchfield was sold and will be re-opened under the new name Litchfield Greens.
Caffé Azzurri is now open at the Hillsdale Golf & Country Club. T
S E N A T O R’ S S P By Senator Bruce Caswell March 24, 2011
he Munro House Bed and Breakfast in Jonesville received the Governor's Tourism Award presented by Gov. Rick Snyder in Kalamazoo on March 21.
TLIGHT
I voted for the emergency financial manager legislation when it came before the Senate for consideration. I supported a number of amendments to modify the legislation prior to its passage, such as limiting the salary of an emergency financial manager to the amount the Governor receives and requiring an emergency financial manager for a school district to have a background in teaching or education. However, these amendments were defeated. I successfully amended the bill to eliminate a reference to school district consolidation out of the bill, so that this will remain under the purview of the local voters.
Travel Guides Still Available We still have copies of the 2011 Michigan Travel Ideas Guide available to anyone interested in obtaining one. Please call 1-866-305-0316 or send an email with your mailing address to SenBCaswell@senate.michigan.gov to get your copy of the Michigan Travel Ideas Guide. As always, my office is open to anyone seeking assistance. My toll-free phone number to my Lansing office is 1-866-305-0316 and the fax is (517) 373-5944.
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The Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors & Staff cordially invite you to attend the 25th Annual Business Celebration Dinner & Awards Presentation
, 20 M ay 9
Theme: “Cheeseburger in Paradise”
11
hop C s ’ a i v Ol i
Join us for an island themed night of food, fun and awards as we honor Chamber Member businesses and individuals for their 2010 accomplishments.
tropical island attire welcome
M 6:00 P vres ’oeu hors d PM 6:30 dinner
Renovation Award
Awards to be presented:
sponsored by
Jonesville Lumber
Architectural Award
Award
sponsored by
sponsored by
Jonesville Lumber
County National Bank
Small Business of the Year
Business Person of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year
Nonik Technologies
sponsored by
sponsored by
WCSR
Wolverine Abstract and Title Company
Chairperson’s Award sponsored by
Non-Profit of the Year
Layman’s Service Center
sponsored by
Chamber Mission
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sponsored by
Volunteer of the Year sponsored by
Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Hillsdale County United Way
Special recognition awards will also be presented
5 Ways to Use QR Codes to Promote Your Business Source fivesparrows.com Have you seen these funny-looking little black and white graphics? Although they may be unfamiliar to you, these images, called QR Codes, are actually very powerful 2-D barcodes that can connect your customers to a web page, an email address, a video, a Google Place page, or even to instantly download your contact information!
QR Code on their smartphones. For instance, if you scan the QR Code at the top of this article, you will be taken to a special page on the Five Sparrows website where you can request free marketing resources. Or, you may have seen QR Codes printed on real estate lawn signs, where users can scan the code to access a virtual tour of the home, or see the listing details of the property. New Ideas, New Strategies The uses for QR Codes are limited only by your imagination, and they are
4. Press releases — Include QR Codes in your press releases to direct readers to additional information in your online press room or news page 5. Advertising – Print a QR Code in all of your advertising (online and print) to take users directly to product information or an online order form If your smartphone doesn’t already have the capability to read QR Codes, you can download a QR Code reader for free on the web (do a Google search, or try http:// scanlutions.com/get-a-reader/), or you can get an iPhone or Android app (such as Barcode Scanner or QR Droid) for free as well.
By using QR Codes in your marketing, you can further enhance your customers’ experience (which is a huge priority in marketing today), while giving them access to an entirely new level of information from your marketing materials (QR Codes work for both print and online media).
What Are QR Codes? QR Codes, or “quick response” codes, started out as part of a Japanese automaker’s tracking system for vehicle parts during manufacturing. But with the explosion of digital technology and communication platforms on the web, businesses are now starting to use QR Codes for innovative new marketing initiatives that provide extra value and convenience to their customers. QR Codes can also provide businesses with tracking data for measuring marketing performance and conversion rates. QR Codes can store an amazing amount of data, and users access this data by simply snapping a photo of the
3. Product packaging — Print a QR Code on your product boxes or packaging to direct customers to online user guides, tutorials, or instructional videos
catching on quickly. So to help introduce you to the concept of QR Codes, here are five great ideas for using them in your own marketing efforts:
So whether you want to provide more convenience and value to your customers, track marketing performance, or just add something new to your marketing tool kit, try using QR Codes in your marketing materials. Can you think of any applications for using QR Codes to promote your business?
1. Websites and Social Platforms – Add QR Codes to your contact page or social profile information so users can scan the code to instantly import your information
2. Business Cards – Print a QR Code on your business card that takes contacts to your company’s online brochure or a video presentation
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K E N’ S O R N E R
A message from State Representative Ken Kurtz
March 31, 2011
have been as encouraging. We were notified on Thursday, March 24th, As we begin this month of April, I that the Florence Crane Correctional am providing an update to recent Facility in Coldwater had been activities of my office as well as that chosen for closure. This is of the Michigan House of devastating news for the employees Representatives. and surrounding businesses. I have since met with department I am glad to report that since my last officials and Florence Crane staff to legislative update, we have been verify the reasoning and decision notified that the DEQ is withdrawing making process of this closing. their planned rule change that would While I was not granted prior have banned the practice of open knowledge or input on this closing, burning, including burning barrels. I am making every effort to assist in I had introduced legislation that how we will move on from this would have prevented this rule from difficult news. taking effect and am satisfied that our local communities can continue to As chairperson of the Families, handle this issue. Local laws and Children's and Senior Services ordinances regarding open burning Committee, I have recently begun to are to be followed and are accept testimony and assist in enforceable. I would encourage folks developing legislation that would cap to consider what types of items they welfare assistance at 48 months for attempt to burn and to continue to able bodied persons. This legislation respect their neighbors and would likely include drug testing in community if they do choose to burn certain circumstances as well as some of their trash. I am encouraged prohibiting illegal immigrants from that we were able to present a receiving assistance. As a society, common sense argument in order to we are generous and charitable to keep this acceptable means of trash those who are truly in need. disposal in place for Michigan However, it is all too common that citizens. programs of assistance become an Not all developments in our area inevitable and accepted way of life as
Member Checklist Attend a Business After Hours Attend a Hello Hillsdale County Breakfast/Lunch Place business cards and/or brochures in the Chamber Office Place an ad in the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce Phone Directory Participated in the Chamber TUF program Supported a fellow Chamber member by purchasing a product or service from a member
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compared to the intended purpose of helping a person or family through a difficult time. Neighboring states have already implemented limits to the number of months that assistance can be provided. I agree with the majority within Michigan in that this legislation is long overdue and will help ensure that those who truly need help can continue to get it. In the coming weeks, various committees will be further considering each aspect of the Governor's budget proposal. I am anticipating, in the very near future, a clearer picture of how the Legislature may proceed with the Governor's ideas for reinventing Michigan. Reforms in how we manage scarce taxpayer dollars, along with how we tax our businesses and citizens are being debated as to their short and long term impact, balanced with the reality of our economic status. I am continuing to share with the various budget committees, the ideas and opinions of those whom I serve within Branch and Hillsdale Counties. I remain confident that the final budget will be justified, given our economic situation. We must keep our focus on needed reforms that encourage businesses, small and large, to make Michigan a permanent and prosperous place to grow their business. In the end, I believe our moms and dads, grandparents and even our upcoming high school and college graduates want a thriving and growing Michigan to call home. As always, thank you for allowing me to serve in this capacity and please know that my door is always open to the concerns of the citizens of Hillsdale and Branch Counties. As always feel free to contact me through my office at 517-373-1794. Kenneth Kurtz 58th District State Representative
Killing Giants: 3 Ways to Steal Customers Out From Under the Giant’s Nose By: Stephen Denny Source: smallbiztrends.com Every day, we wake up and hit the floor ready to do battle against some competitor who spends more on postage than we do on marketing. They’re huge. They’ve got a massive budget, a big payroll, agencies tripping over each other and resources we can’t hope to match.
online. By targeting keywords that leveraged their competitor’s 1. Focus on Winning in the curriculum course names in the Last 3 Feet. tightly defined time frame just before admissions closed for the term, Oslo Is the giant spending millions on University saw its admissions jump advertising? Are they launching a massive campaign or a huge product five-fold – and even beat its larger launch? Don’t look at this as a matter rival’s admissions numbers. of their budget vs. yours you’ll 2. Realize That Speed Kills. always lose that fight. Look at this Killing Giants
It’s often said that in big companies, you get promoted for saying “no” to risky things. Having worked for plenty of big corporations, I know this to be true! Giants have their own cultures and rewards systems.
Before they make a move, they first form interdisciplinary task forces, set up meetings, And we’re supposed fly people around the to beat them, today country, bring agencies and every day. from the perspective of them pulling on board … and while they’re doing This is good news. millions of eyeballs and tons of foot all this, you ship. traffic to the stores or to the Web. In Killing Giants: 10 Strategies to Now, you’ve got something to work They issue meeting minutes. You Topple the Goliath in Your ship. They form a consensus; you with. Enter the conversation in the Industry, I spoke to over 70 “giant ship. You’re three steps ahead, and last three feet – between your killers” from 13 countries around the prospective customer and the sale, they’re aiming at the product you world, representing industries from when the giant thinks the game is replaced two cycles ago. consumer products to technology to over – and win there. B2B, and I learned that not only can Mike Cassidy, founder of many you out-maneuver the giants you Here’s an example of what I mean. successful Silicon Valley face, but you can often take startups including instant Oslo University is the second advantage of their greatest strength largest business school in its town. messaging platform Xfire, in the process. described this “speed culture” The Norwegian School of mentality when he told me that his Management outspent it 200 to 1. Here are three ways you can kill the With a budget of only 50,000 krone team was producing a new version of giants. – roughly $8,500 – Oslo University his platform every two weeks. His turned to search search engine marketer iProspect for help. After a brief competitive analysis, they discovered that their giant’s US$2 million budget was everywhere but Page 10
Killing Giants: 3 Ways to Steal Customers Out From Under the Giant’s Nose Continued from page 10
and overall boundaries as they grow. They fight and win in the market, and their success makes them confident that they’re doing it all right. But their success often sows the seeds of their undoing. They continue to fight the last war Have a topic you would like more information on or know of an article that could benefit your fellow Chamber Members?
Holdings is in the business of direct response advertising, the red-headed stepchild of the marketing world. But what the business lacks in sexiness, it makes up for in performance. Cricket does what no advertising agency would dream of doing: It offers “customers” on a pay-per-lead basis.
Once its predictive model looks at its customer’s category and day-part, massive competitors – AOL, it quickly optimizes the media Send your requests via email to Yahoo and MSN – were flights to understand its variable cost conducting competitive product as- Jon - jon@hillsdalecountychamber.com with any topic requests or articles you per “customer” and then offers it at a sessments on one version of their wish to share and we will do our best to fixed price markup to its clients. products, when he had publish the information in the already shipped dozens of Now, the risk of performance has Commerce Connection. revisions of his. By the time MTV shifted from the director of purchased Xfire in 2004 for $110 When submitting articles please marketing’s shoulders to million, Xfire had amassed over 16 include the author and source so that Cricket’s – and CEO Victor Grillo is million customers who used its permission can be obtained for the usage happy to bear the burden. software an average of of the material. When an advertiser wants to know 88 hours a month. until the realities of the new one catch what each dollar invested will bring in, up with them. Smart “giant killers” Cricket is happy to step in where most 3. Eat the Bug: Do the develop business models that the traditional agencies would beat a hasty Unthinkable. giants simply can’t imagine retreat. Business isn’t just about how Companies develop rules, guidelines themselves following. Cricket much money we’ve got to spend but rather how big our ideas are.
2011 Advertising & Insertion Rates 3” x 2 ½” ad in Commerce Connection
Inserts Chamber composes & prints (black print & 1 side) $165.00 (exclusive - no other inserts)
ad provided by you (jpeg or PDF format) $25 12 ads (one per month) - 4 changes per year You compose & supply 250 copies, Chamber $175 inserts & mails $125.00
3” x 5” ad in Commerce Connection ad provided by you (jpeg or PDF format) $42.50 12 ads (one per month) - 4 changes per year $410
3” x 7 ½” ad in Commerce Connection ad provided by you (jpeg or PDF format) $60 12 ads - one per month - 4 changes per year $510
E-mail blast E-mail blasts will be sent once per week $35 per blast
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(exclusive - no other inserts) Chamber composes & prints (black print & 1 side) $115.00 (with other inserts) You compose & supply 250 copies, Chamber inserts & mails $75.00 - Month (with other inserts) $25 for ads created by Chamber Color printing - $25 Colored paper - $10 Second side printing - $10 black and white & $25 color
Perhaps it’s easier to just throw money at problems, but small businesses can’t afford to do that. Besides, today’s times call for different tools and a different mindset. I hope these three tips give you a few thinking tools you can put to use today to give you the mental ammunition to topple the Goliath in your industry.
Lunch $10 Lunch t Buffe
April 28, 2011 Saucy Dog’s Barbeque 11:45 AM - lunch buffet Guest Speaker: Robert Henthorne, Hillsdale County ISD Superintendent
RSV Apri P by l 22, 2011
Topic: The future of education in Hillsdale County Join us for lunch while networking with other Chamber Members.
Contact Jon at (517) 437-6401 or via e-mail at jon@hillsdalecountychamber.com
Pre-payment or payment at time of lunch is requested An additional $2 fee will be added for those being billed or for those without an RSVP. Cancellations prior to 48 hours and no–shows will be billed $12.
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Low-Budget High-Impact Marketing Plan
the new store openings based on demographics and other costly analysis. Cyber Exchange opened stores in the vicinity of Wal-Mart saving real-estate selection costs and piggy backing on Wal-Mart's marketing plan.
new wagon to the child. It was a good deed; resulting in plenty of media talk.
Form a Joint Venture: Joint ventures are too powerful for small Continued from page 2 business to ignore. Forging an alliance with a group of small com* Marketing impact can be greatly improved by using multiple mar- Find The Right Target: A critical panies or a large corporation can part of your marketing plan is tar- give your marketing plan the ultiketing channels. geting the right customer. For a mate "bang for the buck." A joint Prospects will likely low-budget high-impact market- venture will lower your costs, become buyers if they: read about ing plan to work, find customers enabling you to enter into new your company in the newspaper, who are easy to identify and afmarkets and create new distribuattend a seminar, take home a bro- fordable to reach. tion opportunities. chure, and visit your small business website. The further you can Forget the mass market and go for Maximize Referrals: The most "stretch your marketing dollars" small niche markets. For example, cost-effective method of reaching to reach your target market in local, large breed dog enthusiasts new customers is by referrals multiple channels, the higher the can be reached by clubs, special from satisfied customers. A satisimpact of your marketing messhows, and targeted publications. fied customer telling others about sage. Reaching all dog owners will be your small business is more effecineffective because of limited ex- tive than any fancy ad campaign. Low-Budget High-Impact posure combined with higher Spend time to get customer referMarketing Plan Techniques costs of marketing in mass publi- rals on a weekly basis. cations. Get A Piggyback: Hitching a ride These are just a few of many tacon the marketing of another com- Make Yourself News Worthy: A tics and strategies used by small pany can save your small business mention of your company in the business to create a high-impact time and capital. When computer right media can help deliver your marketing plan on a low-budget. reseller franchise, Computer Ex- marketing message in a low cost Marketing success comes from change, was looking for methods manner. My local plumber has creativity; not from having the to reach price conscious consum- mastered the art of selfbiggest budget. ers on a low budget, the company promotion. When a child's red followed Wal-Mart openings. wagon was stolen, "Pete The Wal-Mart's big budget marketing Plumber" showed up in his Superdepartment would carefully select Hero painted van to bring a brand
Chamber Testimonials
Thank you so much for the demographic information and traffic counts you provided. I appreciate how quickly you got this informaThank you so much for your help. That is why I called the Chamber, tion to me. This information really helps. I knew you would be able help me. L - Michigan Mary - Jackson, Michigan Oh wow you are fantastic! I'm going to try these suggestions for our family reunion. A couple sound like just what i need and a couple sound like something that would work as well. Thank you so much!!! Terry - Louisiana
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Thank you very much for including us as a partner for the Spring Business Showcase. It was nice of you to include us. We are excited about working together and being a part of the event. J - Michigan
Featured Member Carriage Park Apartments Rick & Debbie Braman 61 Carriage Park Hillsdale, MI 49242 (517) 439-9555
35 unit building was constructed. This building continues to operate today with a shared boiler system that allows the tenants the ease of having their heat included in their rent. With the success of the first building
living with one, two, and three bedroom apartments. The apartments include refrigerators, stoves, garbage removal, laundry rooms and offer a 24 hour maintenance service. Carriage Park also allows Pet ownership at their facility. Currently Carriage Park Apartments is running a first month rent free special with a 13 month lease plus deposit. Carriage Park has four-two bedroom apartments available for lease. Rick and Debbie are always available and ready to assist new tenants in finding accommodations that fit their lifestyle.
Since 1999 Rick and Debbie Braman have been the resident managers of the Carriage Park Apartments. Prior to Rick & Debbie becoming the resident managers, Rick’s parents Everett and Skip Braman were the resident managers from 1987-1999. As on-site managers Rick and Debbie oversee many jobs at Carriage Park Apartments. Debbie operates the apartment office duties and Rick maintains the buildings along with apartment painting, cleaning and other maintenance duties. In 1966 the first and largest building, a
and a need for more tenant space, three smaller 34 unit buildings were built in 1968. Carriage Park Apartments offers its’ residents quiet affordable spacious
To find out more about the apartments available Carriage Park Apartments have open give Rick or Debbie Braman a call at (517) 439-9555
13th Annual
tion forma n i e r ed Mo e mail will b ately separ
May 7, 2011 9 AM - 3 PM Hillsdale County Fairgrounds New Merchant Building
Presented by:
Litchfield Chamber of Commerce Village of North Adams
Reading Chamber of Commerce Hillsdale Business Association
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2011 Chamber Associate Members
Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce 22 North Manning Hillsdale, MI 49242
2011 Chamber Partner Member County National Bank
Phone: 517-437-6401 Fax: 517-437-6408 E-mail: info@hillsdalecountychamber.co m
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2011 Board of Directors Joe Sanford…………………………………………...........Chairp erson Century 21 Action Associates Vice ChairperCyndi Young son WCSR Member At Jeff Layman Large Layman’s Service Center Raymond Lee…………………………………. …….Member At Large Raymond Lee Custom Carpentry Eric Potes…………………………………………………….Tr easurer County National Bank Board MemScott Phillips ber
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