The Nanny Nine: Shakopee Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau

It wasn’t until last year that I joined our local Chamber of Commerce.  To be honest, up until that point I wasn’t quite sure if there was a need.  But then I hooked up with the Chamber online, via Facebook and Twitter.  They were very responsive, informative and fun.  After attending an event, and meeting the Chamber staff and other members, I was sold!  I’ve not only made great business connections, I’ve gained a wonderful network of colleagues and friends.

I’m very proud of the terrific job our Shakopee Chamber of Commerce does with Social Networking.  Amy Judge is the Communications Coordinator for the Chamber.  Amy’s personality shines thru on the Chambers Social Media sites…open, honest, supportive and knowledgeable.   With any business it’s important to not just do Social Networking, but to also learn how to do it best for your business, and adapt to the changes both from the Social Media sites, but also as the business makes changes.  Amy does it all very well, reaching not only businesses, but people as well.  Other Chamber of Commerce organizations should pay attention 😉

1. How long have you been using Social Networking for your business?

I think our social media accounts were created in 2010, about a year before I began managing them.

2. Is your business using Facebook &/or Twitter?

 We use both Facebook and Twitter.

3. Facebook vs Twitter – do you like one better? If yes, why?

I tend to favor Facebook a bit more because of the characters allowed, it’s added functionality and manageable insights but I am getting a little better with Twitter as we continue to develop our Social Media Strategy.

4. Do you post daily?

I certainly try to. I do try to disconnect over the weekend so I can focus my time on my family but if something important is going on then I will try to keep up with daily posting/tweeting.

5. What is your favorite thing about Social Networking?

 I like that people get to see a more “human” side of your organization through social media as it is not all facts and info but true engagement with your followers that can be lots of fun!

6. What do you think is the biggest benefit of Social Networking?

The immediate and direct connection with people. You can’t always be sure the content on your website is being seen by your targeted audience right when you post it or that the emails you send are truly being read but with Social Media  you can monitor and control that a bit more, all in real-time. Plus the engagement of it all is nice too; direct contact and back and forth real time engagement can’t necessarily be done, as easily, through your website or via email.

7. How do you measure Social Networking, & explain (choose minimum of 1):
ROI – Return on Investment
ROR – Return on Relationship
ROE – Return on Engagement
ROL – Return on Loyalty
ROK – Return on Knowledge

 Mostly through ROR, Return on Relationship. We want to let our members know we are here for them. All of the services, events and opportunities we provide are to allow them the chance to shamelessly promote their business. We want to make it all about them and serve our membership any way we can so they, in turn, will become more engaged, connected, and loyal to the Chamber. I also think we measure by ROE a little as well. With social media, so much real-time engagement is going on that it allows us to see what posts and tweets are getting people to our events or which ones bring our members some traffic and I think that is important as well.

 8. What is the best moment you’ve had on a Social Networking site?

 It’s hard to say what my best moment on a social networking site would be. I guess since I am still new to this, my best moment would be growing our FB fanbase from 99 (when I started) to the 284 that we have now. Our Twitter followers have also grown from 500 or so to the 768 that we have today. (It’s the small things J)

 9. What is your best piece of advice to other businesses about Social Networking?

I think I would consider myself a novice and still trying to figure this whole thing out and so I welcome any advice that all you social networking pros have to offer!

So, if I were to give any advice it would be to be SURE to create a business fan page for your business, not a personal page with your business’ name on it. It is much easier for me to promote other business if they have a business fan page. Probably more beneficial to them too! 🙂

Shakopee Chamber & Visitor’s Bureau

Facebook: Shakopee Chamber & Visitors Bureau

Twitter: @ShakopeeMN

The Nanny Nine brought to you by the Social Networking Nanny