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Shoals Chamber BLOG

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, 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.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019
How often should I give my website a new look?

If your website analytics have been stagnant for a while, you may be wondering what you can do to boost your traffic. Is it time to give your website a new look? We believe in supporting local businesses, so we've put some thought into the matter. Take a look at 3 tips for determining whether it's time to update the look of your site.

Monday, April 1, 2019
Satisfaction vs Loyalty: How to turn customers into promoters

Take Chik-fil-A, for example. When the chicken chain first opened, the founder had a firm idea of what he wanted the experience of the restaurant's guests to be. Every cashier says something like "my pleasure" or "have a nice day". People crave this type of friendly encounter with customer service pros and will go out of their way to get it. But what about when customers aren't in the physical confines of your store? Then it pays to use digital marketing tactics that give your brand a personality. Make

Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Storytelling in the digital age

Storytelling is a major buzzword in the marketing industry these days, and it is an aspect of promoting your business that you cannot afford to ignore. Rather than focusing your marketing efforts on promoting your products or services, the new business model requires telling the story of your brand to help your customers feel connected to and engaged with your business. Follow these tips to do it right.

Monday, March 18, 2019
Freemium: The popular business model with a funny price

A popular business model among brands offering digital services, Freemium means giving something away for free while gating other, more valuable services behind a pay structure. If you've engaged with brands like Skype, Hootsuite, Evernote, or Spotify, you already have a good understanding of how this works. Learn the ins and outs of the Freemium business model. Different Freemium Structures Business owners who choose to offer Freemium services have multiple options when it comes to structuring their

Monday, March 11, 2019
Top 7 tech trends for real estate agents

If you're involved in the real estate market as an investor, agent, buyer, or seller, you likely already know that this is one industry that's in love with the latest technologies. From the latest apps to innovations in customer service, tech innovations have dramatically changed how Realtors do business. Here's our picks for the top 7 tech trends for real estate agents in our community: