(July 5, 2017) – Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce members benefit from year-round marketing and communications campaigns through local, regional and national outreach in ways that may surprise you.
Last year the Chamber launched GreaterChatt.com, which covers the 16-county, 3-state region. The Chamber completely revamped ChattanoogaChamber.com and added member articles to ChattanoogaTREND.com.
“We want members and investors to know that we promote their businesses every day,” said Sybil Topel, Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “You may have read recently that our team won several peer awards for marketing creativity. While that obviously makes us smile, I care more about increased page views and reader engagement.”
“When viewers engage, we all win,” Topel said.
“I encourage business owners to connect with one of our member writers or PR professionals to help them craft a plan to reach new markets. Challenge yourself to tell your stories creatively – with humor when possible. That means video, audio and print. And, that also means putting those stories where customers are already spending their screen time – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.”
“I want to encourage members to learn more about how to tell their stories,” Topel said. “We offer easy-to-follow guidelines here: http://www.chattanoogatrend.com/editorial-content-and-sponsorship ”
In the past 12 months, more than 150 Chamber members were featured or quoted in “Business Trend,” the online and monthly print publication featuring businesses in the region, economic development news and advice for working smarter. The site’s traffic doubled in one year. The Chattanooga Chamber also promotes members on the following platforms:
- YouTube
Before national media visit Chattanooga, the Chamber connects writers and producers with key Chamber member contacts.
Chattanooga articles in the past 12 months appeared in the Wall Street Journal, FORTUNE, Inc., CityLab, the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, The Washington Post, and Entrepreneur.
Numerous trade publications – including those covering advanced manufacturing, 3-D printing, and logistics – reported about Chattanooga startup innovations, the ‘right kind’ of colliding, and the value of public-private partnerships. Both Motherboard and Randi Zuckerberg broadcast Facebook Live during their visits. Zuckerberg created the Facebook Live product.
At the local level, the Chattanooga Chamber’s online business directory connects members with clients and customers all year long, every hour of the day, often introducing newcomers and site selectors to the diversity and inclusion of our local business scene.
Chamber members can submit to marketing staff for consideration their news releases, company notices, coupons. When approved, they will appear here. This page is also featured in BottomLines, the Chamber’s biweekly e-newsletter reaching more than 6,000 people.
Other communications benefits for Chamber members include:
- Directory keywords – members may choose up to 25 search keywords to list in their business directory profiles.
- Chamber recommendations – many people turn to their local Chamber for business recommendations – whether they’re looking for lawn care, a web developer or a photographer. The Chattanooga Chamber recommends member businesses.
- Greater Chattanooga Economic Development magazine – members may request copies of this annual publication covering quality of life and industry in the region, great for newcomers to the area.
- Local media list available to members upon request.
- Media opportunities – when the Chamber receives media interview requests, members are recommended as key contacts.
- Exclusive member sponsorship opportunities
Have an idea for a Business Trend story? Want the Chamber to promote your company news? Have questions? Reach out.
Not a Chamber member? Learn more about joining here.
