Newsletter - Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce

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 milesm@bakersfieldnow.com.
For more information call us at 822-6828 or send email to:
The cost is $15 for Chamber Members, $20 for Non-Chamber
editorial@tehachapinews.com.
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 sbdcjay@gmail.com.
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