Lander
Chamber of Commerce
THINK LANDER FIRST
SHOP LOCAL
#ShopLander
2018
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
INTRODUCTION
From the Executive Director
W
inter is a coming! And so is the holiday shopping season. For many businesses in the Lander area this means another busy time of year… and such is the pace at the Lander Chamber of Commerce. New for this year is our #ShopLander: Holiday Photo Sweepstakes. The event began on Small Business Saturday, and customers are posting holiday shopping photos with #ShopLander. Through this month-long consumer-driven social media campaign, we will help drive traffic to your business by incentivizing customers to post photos of “All I Want For Christmas” on Facebook and Instagram, reinforcing Think Lander First/Shop Local. As always, let us know and we will deliver buttons and stickers to your business so you can participate to the fullest (take a look at the opposite page for a couple highlights of the competition so far)! As I talked about last month, Lander’s economy produces the jobs and wages that fuel our families. It creates the tax base for essential services like emergency response, law enforcement, and firefighters. Our economy is the catalyst for Lander’s quality of life, producing pathways, recreation, and the reason to reside. Every time our business community donates to a charitable cause it’s because of our economy, through which their generosity is possible. From our economy, all things come. Next, to celebrate the Christmas spirit, we invite you to Light Up Lander on December 1—and tell the kiddos Santa is scheduled for a grand arrival. Each year this event draws hundreds of families and children to play games, tell Santa what they want for Christmas, and then join in the parade which concludes with the lighting of Main Street Christmas lights and a dose of fireworks. Finally, from all of us at the Lander Chamber of Commerce, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Susan Weideman, President Lander Vision Center
Michelle Mazur, Vice-Pres. Elevate Rehab
Joanne Slingerland, Treasurer Central Wyoming College
Mika Baker, Past President Central Bank and Trust
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ann Espinosa Home Source Realty Inc. Inter Mountain Builders
Dave Fehringer WH Smith & Associates, Inc.
Suzanne Norris Wyoming Life Resource Center
Jonathan Tonkowich Wyoming Catholic College
Rick Bestul NAPA Auto Parts
Eric Andrews Fagnant, Lewis, Brinda P.C.
Mark Schatza Black Hills Energy
James Whiting Whiting Law PC
PROFESSIONAL STAFF Brian Fabel Executive Director
Carol King Associate Director
Kelsey Ball Operations Assistant
Brian Fabel Executive Director Lander Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Photo Sweepstakes THEME: “ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS” PRIZE INCLUDES $250 IN LANDER BUCKS AND OVER $500 IN LOCALLY DONATED PRIZES
EXAMPLE: HOW-TO PLAY
kelseyball
W
e have been having some great entries to the Holiday Photo Sweepstakes! Participate between now and December 19th for your chance to win over $750 in local prizes!!!
ITEM YOU WANT FOR SHOP LOCAL CHRISTMAS Lander
Chamber of Commerce
THINK LANDER FIRST
SHOP LOCAL BUTTON/STICKER kelseyball All I want for Christmas is a set of snowshoes @gannettpeaksports #shoplander
#SHOPLANDER
TAG BUSINESS
EVENTS
BUSINESS December Calendar of AFTER Events EVERY MONDAY Spin Classes at Gannett Peak Sports, check website for schedule $1 Table Games, 10am10pm, Wind River Hotel & Casino EVERY SATURDAY Saturday Jam Sessions, noon-2pm, Lander Bake Shop DECEMBER EVENTS Winter Farmers Market, 1-3pm, Lander VFW
6 Holiday Open House, 11am-2pm, Wyoming Financial Insurance
8 Bar J Wranglers Christmas Concert, 7-9pm, Robert Peck Arts Theater, CWC Riverton
7 First Friday: Art & Live Music, 5-9 pm, Middle Fork
8 Holiday Open House, 10am-4pm, National Bighorn Sheep Center, Dubois
7 New location open house, 5-8 pm, Hacking CPA & Associates 7 The Barefoot Movement, Christmas Show, 7-9pm, Lander Valley High school auditorium 8 Christmas Open House, 9am-5pm, Riverton Museum
1-15 Around Town: Native
American Exhibition, Lander Art Center 1 Light Up Lander, 6-7 pm, Mr. D’s Food Center 1 Unplugged Concert-Local Acoustic Musicians, 6-8 pm, Lander Bake Shop 2 Art in the Afternoon, 10am-3pm, Lander Community & Convention Center 3 TiPs (Training for Intervention Procedures), 10am-2pm, Hudson Town Hall
8 Book sale at the Book Nook, 10am-4pm, Lander Library Carnegie Room and upstairs Bank of the West 8 Christmas Open House, 10am-4pm, Dubois Museum 8 The Magic Flute, Metropolitan Opera Live in HD, 1-2:45pm, Lander Library Carnegie Room 8 Christmas Tree Decorations for kids, 2 pm, Riverton Museum 8 Old-Time Christmas Open House, 5-7 pm, Pioneer Museum, Lander
15 La Traviata Metropolitan Opera Live in HD, 11am-2:15pm, Lander Library Carnegie Room 15 Christmas Crafts Day for kids, 3-5 pm, Dubois Museum 15 Santa’s Workshop, 10am2pm, Lander Children’s Museum 15 Breakfast and Trek with the Bighorns, 8-10am, National Bighorn Sheep Center, Dubois 19 Lander Chamber of Commerce Holiday Photo Sweepstakes ends, prizes to be award day after 20 Business After Hours, 5:30-7:30 pm, Maven Outdoor Equipment Company 22 The Magic Flute Metropolitan Opera Live in HD, 1-2:45 pm, Lander Library Carnegie Room
WORD OF MOUTH MARKETING SUSAN JERKE, NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR WYOMING SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
and added naturally occurring instances where people share their brand satisfaction online. By utilizing tools to amplify your organic word of mouth, you can engage the trust of a much larger audience, but don’t discount the impact of connecting to your customers face-to-face. Networking events, chambers, and other organizations that encourage business to business referrals remain effective. One requirement of successful word of mouth marketing it is taking time to understand your customers! We often hear that business owners just don’t have time to attend events or monitor their social media pages, but they are such an invaluable way to connect with your customers and really let them know why you and your business matter. Online platforms like Facebook, YouTube and Instagram can help you create brand loyalty through relationships, and yes, they are a form of word of mouth marketing. These platforms also give you an opportunity to actively encourage reviews. The feedback you get via reviews and testimonials will help you develop your strategies, and, as mentioned earlier, understand your customers. Reviews also allow potential customers to see what their friends and community members have to say about your
business. Let’s look at some data to back this claim up: According to BrightLocal’s 2017 Customer Review Survey:
- Consumers read an average of seven reviews before trusting a business – up from six the previous year.
ONGOING
Nearly every business claims Word of Mouth Marketing as their primary tool for reaching new customers, but do they really understand what it is and how to harness its unique messaging? Success is based on trust, and we have always placed greater trust on the recommendations of friends and family. We crave real, genuine connections… especially in our business dealings. The renewed trend of moving toward purchasing locally and knowing where our products and services are sourced has become paramount. The advantages include less monetary investment in advertising, creation of a sense of community, and repeat business! So, how do you start? It may seem elementary, but offering a quality product or service with an amazing, epic experience is the first step. Mediocracy is simply not acceptable! Once you have that nailed down, you are ready for word of mouth marketing. Traditional word of mouth marketing relies on recommendations from one person to another person. With our ever-increasing online connectivity, modern word of mouth marketing has taken those targeted efforts
- 85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations - 49% of consumers need at least a four-star rating before they choose to use a business. Lastly, social media platforms are an opportunity to engage your followers in conversation, which will clarify your uniqueness and allow you to build relationships. So, although websites and analytical online tools are necessary, don’t forget that one-on-one contact, via word of mouth marketing, with the people who love your business, will help you succeed!
BUSINESS AFTER Business After Hours DEC 20, 5:30-7:30PM MAVEN OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT COMPANY 160 S. 4TH ST, LANDER
NOV BUSINESS AFTER HOURS @ NEW YORK LIFE AND WHISKEY CUTS BAR-BER
I
used to be in the retail shoe business and always knew the holiday season was quickly approaching. It can bring new customers and increased sales to help your business to succeed. The National Retail Federation (NRF) found that 20 to 40 percent of yearly sales for small and mid-sized retailers take place within the last two months of the year, so there is no doubt that it is important for small businesses. The NRF also projects that consumers will spend 4.1 percent more than last year during the winter holidays. If you take steps to prepare your business and capitalize on these valuable opportunities, it can truly be the most wonderful time of the year. A 2017 survey conducted by market researchers OnePoll and commissioned by Groupon found that 67 percent of Americans preferred shopping at small businesses over large national chains for their holiday shopping. With more people wanting to shop local, it’s important to be prepared
with enough staff to handle an influx of customers. As a former small business owner myself, I understand nothing can get done if you do not have the people and resources to do it. In the same vein, if you are promoting incentives like gift wrapping or a small gift with purchase, be sure to have plenty of the necessary equipment. Advertising is an important part of running a business, and it’s especially important during the holidays. If you are having any sales or events, be sure to promote them on your website, your social networks and any other media outlets you think will work for your business. Offering great sales is one thing, but it’s just as important to get the word out about them. When I owned my shoe store in Gillette, I found that one
PROFESSIONAL DEV
PREPARING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON BY U.S. SENATOR MIKE ENZI
of the most important things you can do to get ready for the holiday season is to plan ahead for success. A simple place to start is filling out a calendar with holidays, events and sales and share those with your local Chamber of Commerce. Once you have the important dates written down, you can think about how you can prepare for each. By planning ahead and establishing a schedule, you can take necessary steps toward a more positive and productive end to the year. Make this holiday season one to remember and keep the tradition going in the future by taking steps to prepare for it. I hope the joy of this special season stays with you and your business throughout the year.
-Friends of Wyoming Life Resource Center, PO Box 163, Lingle
Artery Construction, Joe Artery, Amy Smith, 57 Tweed Lane, Lander
Frontier Home Health & Hospice, Shelley Gonzales, 230 N. 1st St., Lander
Atlantic City Federal Credit Union, Brian Rohrbacher, branch manager, 1005 11th St., Lander
The Good Place, Marla Lemm, Angela Hockett, 155 Main St., Lander
Brace, Marty, 28 Pinto Lane, Lander
Lander Dental Group, 799 S. 2nd St., Lander
Broom Service Custom Cleaning, Belinda Huemer, 960 Amoretti, Lander Central Wyoming College, Lander, 120 Enterprise Blvd., Lander Cornerstone Group Realty LLC, Judy Bauman, Niki Morrison, 215 S. Broadway Ave., Riverton
Lander Kiwanis Club, PO Box 803, Lander Lander Library Friends Association, Ray Charles, president, 451 N. 2nd St., Lander
Cowfish, Jim Mitchell, Kyle Vassilopoulos, 148 Main St, Lander
Lander Old Timers Rodeo Association, PO Box 632, Lander Lander Valley Family Practice, Margaret Easley, FNP-C, 930 Buena Vista Drive, Lander
Edward Jones, John Shade, 824 Main St., Lander
Lander Valley Farmers Market, PO Box 184, Lander
Farm Bureau Financial Services, Jake Huhnke, Cori Slingerland, 1630 Main St., Lander
National Outdoor Leadership School, Kevin McGowan, 502 Lincoln St., Lander
Lander
Chamber of Commerce
Phat Foam, Jason Redman, 191 Tweed Lane, #3, Lander Pirate Propane, James & Danielle Schaffer, 608 Main St., Lander Reed’s Moghaun Office Supplies, Don and Sonia Reed, 155 S. 5th St., Lander Rodney’s Collision & Custom Center, Rodney & Leona Rohn, 330 Mortimore Lane, Lander Scott Robeson Custom Woodworking & Fine Cabinetry, 17 Shadow Brook Lane, Lander SDI Construction, Dennis Selley, 158 Tweed Lane, Lander Sweetwater Food & Beverage, Ron Hansen, 8116 Hwy 789 , Lander Teton Therapy, 425 Lincoln Street, Lander Tweed Lane Storage, Kim & Beth Johnson, 100 Tweed Lane, Lander
RENEWING MEMBERS
ALCHEMY, an artists’ cooperative, 320 Main St., Lander
Fender Mender Body Shop, Ray Malek, 262 Washakie St., Lander
RENEWING MEMBERS
AAA Stowaway Storage, Kim & Beth Johnson, 120 & 125 Poppy St., Lander
Wahl Electric, Scott & Amy Wahl, 940 Mountain View Court, Lander Wyoming Windows & Cabinets, Chris & Karlene Moore, 3011 Hwy 287, Lander
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid LANDER, WY PERMIT NO. 78
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