Official Newsletter of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce
THE CHAMBER CORNER
Volume 13, Issue 7
Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is pleased to announce that Becky Needham, membership manager of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM graduate recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management. “Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”
July 2013
How do you Choose the Right Social Media Tools?
Monday, July 8, the EatontonPutnam Chamber of Commerce and Eatonton Main Street hosted a Social Media Workshop led by Lauren Cleland, media specialist for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Cleland has been named one of the top 100 tourism professionals on Twitter and maintains the state’s Explore Georgia social Explore Georgia’s Media Specialist Lauren Cleland and Classic Smith media sites. In 2012, GeorConstruction Owner Kerri Smith discuss social media. gia was ranked 21 out of the 50 states regarding online presence, but today it is ranked eighth, proving Cleland’s expertise. At the workshop, Cleland gave attendees tips regarding social media management for a business, and after the general presentation, she held private sessions with individuals who needed specific advice regarding their business’ social media platform(s). If you weren’t able to make it, read the tips below to revamp your social sites! Everyone is doing it, and so should you! Although your mom taught you not to go along with what everyone else is doing, joining a social media network is not something to avoid as a business. Businesses should get involved with sites their customers are using in order to reach them more effectively. The top three most popular social media sites are Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, but Cleland also uses Instagram,YouTube, Flickr, Google+, Trip Advisor, Wordpress, Four Square, Vine and more to market Georgia. Social media sites are large virtual platforms used to spread word of mouth, which is the most valuable type of promotion. Seventy percent of people trust online recommendations while only 14 trust advertisements. Eighty percent of people prefer to contact a brand through social media sites rather than completing an information request form on a website Continued on page 3...
The Putnam Greene Young Professionals held its kickoff event on June 18 at Bone Island Grill. PGYP will meet monthly for Sip n’ Bites at local restaurants to boost the economy, create new connections and to give back to the community through Pictured, David Collis, Brittany Moore and Sam Mcservice projects and opportunities. Gaughey catch up at Sip n’ Bites at Bone Island Grill.