Read our 66th installment of The Dialogue at the bottom of this email where we visit with Jerry Jennings, owner of J's Home Inspections.

 

If you or someone you know is looking for a job, please check out www.BlountAreaJobs.com. Additionally, if you need employees, please utilize the job board to advertise your open positions. Click here to get started.

 

BLOUNT PARTNERSHIP CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE IS WEDNESDAY

Make plans to attend the Blount Partnership Christmas Open House, Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Come celebrate the year while making more connections as the Partnership staff prepares breakfast goodies for all.

 

Come meet Santa and bring your appetite while sampling these delicious dishes: cheese & sausage casserole, biscuits & gravy, cheesy hash brown casserole, sausage balls, sausage/egg/cheese casserole, fiesta sausage muffins, breakfast sliders, ham and hash brown casserole, egg and bacon casserole, cheesy grits, blueberry french toast casserole, and pecan praline french toast casserole.

 

YOU'RE SOCIAL, NOW WHAT? MAKING SOCIAL MEDIA WORK

Join us Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 1-3 p.m. at the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville) as Mike Coleman from Constant Contact presents a free seminar on how to make social media work for your business. Attendees are asked to register here.

 

You've heard about social media, but you are not using it yet. Or maybe you already have a Facebook Page. What about all the other social media tools out there - Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and LinkedIn? This seminar will help both beginners and seasoned professionals gain a better understanding of how to use social media to build and grow a business or nonprofit.

 

You will learn best practices and strategies that will help you be more effective in using the various social media platforms. This seminar will also give you practical tips and insights that will give you a better understanding of this new media. If you have been thinking about using social media (or if you are already using it in your business or nonprofit), then you will benefit from this seminar.

 

If you have been thinking about using social media (or if you are already using it in your business) then you will benefit from this seminar. It is filled with valuable content, strategies, and insights on how to get the most out of the time you spend on social media. Beginners and seasoned users will walk away with something they can use to build their business or nonprofit using social media.

 

BASICALLY BLOUNT AD DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL FRIDAY

Ad placement for the 2017 Basically Blount lifestyle magazine and membership directory has been extended until Friday, Dec. 9. This annual, full-color lifestyle magazine and chamber membership directory is initially distributed to all Chamber members starting Feb. 2017, along with distribution four times throughout the year via area professional offices, newcomers, visitors, and new businesses all looking to relocate to Blount County. Be sure your information is correct by checking here and emailing Amy with any updates.

 

In addition to intriguing stories and area photography that highlight the best of Blount County, Basically Blount also includes a finger-indexed, color-coded directory and buyer's guide of all Chamber members. Chamber members consistently tell us that they keep Basically Blount on hand throughout the year in order to find business products and services when they need them. In addition to 5,000 lifestyle magazines, we will have a complete online version on both the chamber and economic development websites.

 

We are pleased to offer a variety of advertising opportunities at cost effective rates. We have contracted with Marcon Marketing Consultants, a local Chamber member, to handle production and ad sales. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Basically Blount, the importance of supporting the Chamber, and how to get your business involved contact Rick Ford of Marcon Marketing at (865) 705-8580. Download the media kit here.

 

SIGN UP FOR NEXT SOFT SKILLS CLASS

Registrations are currently being accepted for the third class set for Dec. 16 free soft skills session entitled, "Managing People & Personalities." No single management type works with every employee. Learn how to manage according to personality types and get the most from your team. Share strategies and gain resources that will help you to engage, inspire, and retain employees of every type.

All classes are conducted in the Blount County Library's learning lab located at 508 N. Cusick in Maryville and limited to 50 participants. Those interested must register online at www.blountchamber.com/community/soft-skills. A complete class description is located on the registration site. All classes run from 8-10 a.m. with networking beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The other classes offered include Managing People & Personalities, Tips for Public Speaking, Hiring Good Employees, Motivation and Burnout, Time Management and Managing Change in the Workplace.

 

CHECK OUT THE DECEMBER MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROMOTIONS IN

Check out the December member-to-member promotions. New offers are being posted weekly, so check out the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Member-to-Member promotions online. This Member-to-Member Promotional Program offers you and your company the opportunity to market your products and services to the membership.

 

Here's how it works:
1. Submit a PDF of a service, product or discount you'd like to offer to the Chamber membership to jmuir@blountpartnership.com. Be sure to include an expiration date.
2. An email with all the promotions will be sent out on the final Monday of every month to our member database.
3. All promotions will be posted on www.BlountChamber.com

 

MOST COMMON DIGITAL MARKETING MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

It's a common misconception that digital marketing is easy. Throw some words on a cool graphic. Post on social media. Take out an ad here and there. Done! Yeah, If only it were that simple. Read more

Learn more about marketing your small business in a digital world, ask questions about social media, and take the time to discuss future campaign ideas. What are you waiting for? It's free with your chamber membership. Schedule your FREE session today.

 

If you have any questions regarding your free digital marketing member benefit ( Save Local Now), your digital platform, or online marketing in general please reach out the Blount Chamber's Rachel Coffman. She is here to help you in the year ahead and will keep you on track as you fulfill your resolutions in 2016.

 

REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL

Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!

 

Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for your neighbors. When you shop locally, you help create jobs for teachers, firemen, police officers, and many other essential professions.

 

Find what you're looking for in the Chamber Directory.

 

GOT AN EVENT OR NEWS? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT

Is your organization hosting an event in the community? Submit it here on our community calendar. If it's a tourism event, please email Ashlee so she can post it on www.SmokyMountains.org.

 

Also, please send us any news releases or good news about your business. We'd love to share it with the community.

 

REMEMBER WHEN

"Ringo" by actor Lorne Greene, best known for his patriarch role as Ben Cartwright in the television series Bonanza, topped the Billboard Music Charts this week in 1964. The song's actual sung lyrics are limited to the title word alone. Throughout the rest of the performance, Greene talks about the legendary gunfighter. His words tell the story, in a first-person account, of a Western lawman and his relationship with a notorious gunfighter, Ringo.