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Shoals Chamber BLOG

Monday, October 7, 2019
Five Critical Questions To Ask About Your Business

As the owner of a small-to-medium size business, chances are good that you already spend you time answering countless questions every single day from employees, suppliers, customers, and prospects. The issue here is this - how much time to you spend asking yourself questions about your business?

Monday, July 8, 2019
8 Business resources you can find at the library

You might be surprised at the business resources that can be found at our local library. Small business owners and entrepreneurs have access to an often untapped resource that can provide a wealth of information. You will probably want to find that library card or apply for a new one when you finish.

Monday, June 17, 2019
Family Business: Handing off the keys to the store to the next generation

Once the major financial hurdles have been addressed, handing a family business over to the next generation can be handled in a variety of ways to suit your personal needs and goals. Obtaining professional help for determining any tax or legal issues should be placed at the top of the agenda. We value our local businesses, and their commitment to our community. Our guidelines can help you identify what items need to be addressed to ensure a seamless transition when handing off the keys to the store to the

Monday, June 3, 2019
Why the star of your next business video should be you

Ready for your close-ups? Why the star of your next business video should be you. No one knows your business like you do. While it may take some getting used to, you are your own best advocate and should be featured in your own business videos. People like to know who they are dealing with. The message you deliver is crucial to landing new clients and maintaining existing relationships. Identifying the purpose of the video will help you create a solid format. is the purpose to gain new clients, to inform

Tuesday, May 21, 2019
To App? or not to App? The Tech Dilemma

If you have a small business, you probably wonder from time to time whether you need an app. After all, you already have a website. Isn't that enough? We encourage local businesses in our community to keep up to date with technology — and for many, that now means having an app dedicated to your business. Take a look at some of the reasons to consider upgrading your tech and developing an app.

Monday, May 13, 2019
How your business can take advantage of search

Understanding SEO and how it pertains to your business goals will help you take advantage of search and drive more traffic to your website or page. Large and small companies will benefit from optimizing their online presence. By incorporating some of our easy tips, you can increase your company's ranking, resulting in more traffic and online sales.

Monday, May 6, 2019
How to capture your share of our tourists

Tourism is a major industry and capturing your share of our local tourists will help your business thrive. The Chamber encourages you to stop in and learn more about our advertising tools that can help you succeed. Local sights, conventions, and activities draw visitors from across the country to the area each year, making it a market you should not overlook. The benefits to hotels, motels, and restaurants from tourism are easy to spot, but what about local shops and stores? We have designed some tips to

Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Marketing: You'll lose customers the same way you gain them

Marketing and advertising are only part of the equation when attracting new clients. Service is perhaps the single most important aspect of any business. If your business provides good service, but you are still losing clients, it is important to identify the reasons. We have identified some of the problems local businesses encounter when marketing to potential and existing clients.

Monday, April 22, 2019
The science of menus: improve business with one of these simple tricks

If you're like many restaurant owners who think a menu is just a list of the food that you serve, you're not alone, but you're also misguided. There's a prevailing thought that even permeates some of the best restaurants in the country that simply typing out your options for food and beverages and calling it a day will get the job done. You may not realize that some dishes make you more money than others, and having a menu that's too extensive won't benefit you or your guests. We want to help by giving you

Monday, April 15, 2019
Which business stage are you in?

Every business goes through similar stages, no matter which industry it operates in. Knowing what stage your company is in can help guide you in focusing your efforts on the right activities for your current situation. Here's an overview of the primary stages of any business.