Chamber Happenings
9 Customer Loyalty Programs That Work
Building customer loyalty is key to long-term success—and it doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. This article outlines nine creative strategies businesses can use to keep customers coming back, including classic punch cards, reusable branded items, off-season rewards, surprise add-ons, exclusive member perks, and personalized appreciation.
From gyms and salons to restaurants and professional services, loyalty programs strengthen relationships, increase repeat visits, and boost referrals. As we head into the holiday season, it’s a perfect time to launch or refresh your own program and connect with your community in meaningful ways.
Helping Customers Move Past “Let Me Think About It”
In today’s competitive marketplace, customers often hesitate, not due to a lack of interest, but from the overwhelming number of options available. This hesitation can stall sales and delay decision-making.
A recent article by Christina Metcalf outlines key strategies to help customers move forward with confidence:
- Clarify Your Offerings: Simplify choices and present clear, jargon-free options.
- Share Success Stories: Highlight real customer experiences and outcomes.
- Leverage Social Proof: Showcase positive reviews and popular products or services.
- Promote Transparency: Set clear expectations and policies to build trust.
- Provide a Step-by-Step Process: Help customers understand what happens after the purchase.
- Use Time-Sensitive Incentives: Encourage action with limited-time offers or early access.
By removing friction and uncertainty from the decision-making process, businesses can create a smoother path to “yes” and cultivate greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.
7 Creative Summer and Back-to-School Marketing Ideas
Summer’s heating up, and the school year is right around the corner — the perfect time to refresh your marketing! From themed events and student/teacher appreciation promos to social media challenges and school partnerships, there are plenty of ways to connect with your audience this season.
Need inspiration?
Host a Back-to-School Bash, run a “Nominate a Teacher” giveaway, or launch a limited-time discount. You don’t need to be in retail — any business can join the seasonal buzz!
Let your Chamber help! We’re here to support your ideas and connect you with partners to help your business shine.
Christmas in July: How You Can Sleigh Summer Sales
It may be hot outside, but it’s the perfect time to bring some festive cheer to your business with a Christmas in July promotion. This growing trend is a fun, low-pressure way to boost sales, clear inventory, and get customers thinking ahead to the holidays.
Whether you’re in retail, food service, or offer personal services, there’s something for everyone:
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Host “12 Days of Deals” flash sales
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Launch a festive sidewalk market or virtual holiday party
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Offer gift card bonuses or “gift yourself” packages
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Create limited-time combos like “The Claus Combo”
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Run a “Naughty or Nice” mystery discount draw
With shoppers already conditioned to look for July deals (thanks, Prime Day!), now’s the time to stand out, get creative, and build momentum heading into the holidays.
6 Questions Every Smart Small Business Owner Asks
Smart small business owners regularly evaluate their operations by asking key introspective questions. This self-audit helps them identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. Questions like “What am I proud of?” and “What do I hate doing?” uncover what drives them and what drains them. Others, such as “What’s still manual that shouldn’t be?” and “What bad reviews are you getting?”, encourage them to streamline processes and address recurring customer pain points. Ultimately, this practice fosters growth, efficiency, and stronger connections with their audience. Regular reflection ensures the business evolves and thrives.
How to Build Business Connections (Even If You Hate Networking)
Not a fan of traditional networking? You’re not alone. The good news is that building strong business connections doesn’t require formal events or sales pitches. Our latest article shares seven practical ways to grow your network in authentic, everyday moments—from supporting other local businesses and volunteering in your community to sharing helpful content and asking for introductions in a natural, non-pushy way.
Networking is really just relationship-building, and it can start with one simple conversation, one kind comment, or one helpful gesture. If you’ve been looking for an easier, more meaningful way to connect, this is it. Read the full article and discover how small actions can lead to big opportunities.
5 Genius Ways AI Can Stretch Your Existing Content
Feeling stretched thin? AI can help you do more with less—especially when it comes to content. From turning blogs into social posts to transforming videos into articles or email series, you can repurpose what you already have in powerful ways. Even simple guides can become quizzes or tools to boost engagement. Don’t start from scratch—let AI help you unlock your content’s full potential!
Community-Led Growth: The Secret Sauce Smart Businesses Are Using to Scale
Small businesses are learning that success goes beyond product quality—it's about building meaningful connections. Community-led growth is emerging as a powerful model where businesses create value, shared experiences, and trust before making a sale.
What Businesses Should Know About Selling with Amazon
Small businesses don’t have to compete with retail giants—they can partner with them. Over 60% of Amazon’s sales come from independent sellers, many of them small businesses. If you’re looking to expand your reach and tap into a global customer base, Amazon offers the tools to help you grow.
From choosing the right selling plan and understanding fees, to crafting standout listings and using fulfillment services like FBA, Amazon provides powerful ways to scale. With features like automated pricing, advertising tools, and Seller Central analytics, you can monitor your performance and optimize over time.
Selling on Amazon isn’t for every business—but for many, it’s a smart way to boost visibility, generate passive income, and access millions of potential customers.
Small Business Resource Round-up
Since this is Small Business Month, we thought it would be the ideal time to call attention to some of the resources out there for the small business. With an increase in awareness of how important small businesses are to the local and national economies, large businesses are getting into the groove and pledging their support to help small businesses too.
