Mason Deerfield Chamber Blog

Are You Ready for an Intern? 5 Things You Need to Consider Before You Hire One

It’s that time of year when businesses start thinking about summer help. Could you use an intern this summer? Here are several things you need to consider before bringing on your first intern.

Christina R. Metcalf

What Does It Mean to Be a Chamber Member?

The Hidden Value Behind Chamber Membership Traditionally, a chamber of commerce was a membership organization that supports the interests of its business members. It is not affiliated with the government, nor is it a charity. The chamber is separate from the Better Business Bureau. Now that we’ve explained the traditional notion of chamber membership, let’s dive into what it means to be a member of a chamber of commerce today. If you think chambers are outdated, it’s time you take another look. As a

Christina R. Metcalf

What’s in Chamber Membership for You? Hint: it’s more than just a ribbon cutting

Years ago, businesspeople joined the chamber because it was expected. It was just something you did. These days membership isn’t automatic but it’s still a valuable investment in your business. In addition to networking events and ribbon cuttings, the chamber offers a lot of benefits that you can’t do for yourself, and chamber benefits can save you a lot of money. If you’re like most business owners, you could really use some cost savings these days.

Christina R. Metcalf

3 Reasons to Join the Chamber in a Time of Economic Uncertainty

Times of economic uncertainty don’t cause anyone to look for new ways to spend money. But there are some investments in your business that even when you’re worried about cash flow, are worth the return. Without those necessities—be they software or services—you couldn’t operate. Chamber membership is one of those necessary business investments and here’s why:

Christina R. Metcalf

Ten 2023 Trends Hand-picked for Small Business

Whether you sell food, things, or services, we’ve brought together a round-up of trends that you can incorporate into your business in 2023 for increased revenue and better market traction.

Christina R. Metcalf

How to Make Your Product or Service Indispensable

​Unless you are extremely fortunate, there’s a lot of competition out there. Your product or service must compete against a host of other businesses not just in your town but, potentially, across the globe. You’re also in competition with inaction or doing nothing at all.

Christina R. Metcalf

Making the Most of Your Minutes

Small business owners usually have more on their to-do lists than there is time in the day. If becoming more productive is one of your New Year's resolutions, we have a suggestion for you that could be a game changer. One of the biggest productivity challenges is interruptions. But as a small business owner they’re practically in your job description! You never know when someone will walk in or call. And while you want potential customers to do this in abundance, interruptions impact what you accomplish

Christina R. Metcalf

Popular Misconceptions About Shopping Small That Are Holding Your Customers Back

As I'm writing this, we're closing in on two weeks until Christmas. That means businesses with e-commerce options are quickly counting down deadlines for Christmas deliveries. This is the perfect time for local small business to shine because you can promise customers holiday smiles quicker than they can be delivered in online purchases. However, there may still be things holding the average customer back. Questions lead to inaction. To overcome some of these misconceptions about shopping with you, you'll

Amanda Oltman

4 Psychological Techniques for Increased Sales During Small Business Season

It's a noisy world out there and there's lots of competition. If you want to stand out, you must provide excellent value and persuasive copy. Without these two things the holiday season will not be the boon you are hoping for. Luckily, creating copy that drives your audience to action is very easy during the holiday season. While many people have a strict budget this year, they want to provide a nice holiday for their friends and family. That means they are looking to buy. Here's how you can help them

Christina R. Metcalf

Easy Last-minute Bonuses to Drive More Sales During Small Business Season

Christina R. Metcalf