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Promoting your business seasonally doesn’t have to mean expensive campaigns or time-consuming events. With a bit of creativity and strategic timing, you can boost visibility year-round—and many of these ideas are free or low-cost. Here's how to make a big impact in your community every season, without the heavy lift. 1. Create Seasonal Social Media Posts Use quick and timely posts tied to holidays, weather changes, or local events. A simple “Happy First Day of Spring” message with a relevant photo or special offer goes a long way. Plan ahead with a seasonal content calendar so you’re not scrambling. Chamber Bonus: The Beavercreek Chamber can help amplify your seasonal posts by sharing them on their social media platforms. Just tag them or send your promo content over! 2. Participate in Local Seasonal Events From summer festivals to holiday markets, these events are perfect for setting up a booth, distributing flyers, or just networking. Even a small presence makes a big impression. Pro Tip: Use the Chamber’s event calendar to stay in the loop or sponsor an event to get your name in front of hundreds of locals. 3. Decorate Your Space (Physically or Virtually) Dress up your storefront, office, or website to reflect the season. Even subtle seasonal accents show customers you’re engaged and timely. A cozy winter window display or bright summer vibes can attract foot traffic and shares on social media. 4. Offer Limited-Time Seasonal Deals People love a good deal—especially when there’s urgency. Offer a “Spring Refresh” package, “Back-to-School” special, or “Holiday Happy Hour” discount that runs for a short time. 5. Collaborate with Other Local Businesses Partner with a neighboring business for a joint seasonal promotion. For example, a salon and café might offer a “Pamper & Perk” summer deal. It’s a win-win that doubles your exposure. Chamber Bonus: Use the member directory to find potential partners or connect at Chamber networking events . 6. Host a Seasonal Giveaway Run a quick contest on social media like “Share your favorite fall photo and tag us to win!” Prizes can be as simple as a $20 gift card. You’ll grow engagement and attract new followers. 7. Send a Seasonal Email Newsletter Use free tools like Mailchimp to send a quarterly update with seasonal tips, offers, or upcoming events. Keep it short and valuable to stay top of mind. 8. Attend (or Teach) a Seasonal Workshop Spring cleaning tips? Holiday budgeting? Fall wellness? Use your expertise in a relevant workshop hosted by the Chamber or a local partner. Chamber Bonus: The Beavercreek Chamber offers workshops and speaking opportunities —great for showcasing your knowledge and building credibility. 9. Tap Into the Chamber’s Multi-Media Studio Create quick seasonal videos or podcasts with professional quality using the Chamber’s multi-media studio . A short “Holiday Tips from the Pros” or “Summer Must-Haves” video adds polish without the price tag. 10. Apply for the Business Development Grant While not specific to a season, if you have a promotional idea that needs a little funding boost—like signage for a holiday event or materials for a summer campaign—apply for the Chamber’s Business Development Grant (up to $8,000 annually!). Applications open June 1. Final Thoughts Promoting your small business seasonally doesn’t have to drain your budget or your time. The key is to stay consistent, be relevant to the season, and tap into existing resources—like those offered through your Beavercreek Chamber membership. Whether it's a simple post, a fun collab, or a community event, these seasonal touches show your business is active, thoughtful, and rooted in the community. Frequently Asked Questions Q: I don’t have a storefront—can I still promote seasonally? Absolutely! Digital decorations (like themed email headers or website banners), online giveaways, and virtual events are all great seasonal tools for service-based or home-based businesses. Q: How far in advance should I plan for a season? Try to plan 4–6 weeks ahead. For major holidays (like Christmas or back-to-school), consider starting even earlier to maximize exposure. Q: What if I don’t have a marketing team? You don’t need one! Many Chamber resources are designed for solopreneurs and small teams—like studio rentals, workshops, and member-to-member referrals. Not a Member yet? JOIN NOW at www.beavercreekchamber.org /join-today *Blog generated by ChatGPT

Contact Joann at the number below to learn more and enroll in this great new program!

Are you interested in learning more about the world of Digital Marketing? Looking to grow your business online, but don't know where to start? Join Alpha Digital on Tuesday, May 6th, 9am for a free quick 30 minute "Digital & Donuts" and learn. Alpha Digital marketing experts will be sharing tips, tricks, and tactics to navigate the digital world and get your business in front of potential customers. Join us for “Digital & Donuts” Tuesday May 6th 9am at the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce, 3210 Beaver Vu Dr, in Beavercreek!  Reservations are preferred but not required. Reserve your spot today by calling Michele Merkle at 937-510-5898 or email Michele.merkle@alphamediausa.com

Marketing can make or break a small business. But let’s be honest—most small business owners are juggling a hundred different things at once, and marketing sometimes gets put on the back burner. Sound familiar? The good news is that even small tweaks can make a big difference. Below are the top 10 mistakes small businesses make in their marketing—and what to do instead! 1. Not Having a Marketing Plan Imagine driving without a GPS. You might get somewhere, but it won’t be the fastest or smoothest route. The same goes for marketing! A clear strategy saves time, money, and headaches. Fix: Create a simple marketing plan that outlines your target audience, key messages, and goals. The Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce offers workshops to help members build a strong marketing strategy—take advantage of them! 2. Trying to Market to Everyone "Everyone" is not a target audience. If you try to reach everyone, you’ll connect with no one. Fix: Define your ideal customer. Where do they live? What are their interests? What problems can your product or service solve? Get specific. 3. Ignoring Online Presence If you don’t exist online, do you even exist? (At least in the eyes of potential customers!) Many small businesses neglect their websites or social media pages, making them nearly invisible to modern consumers. Fix: Keep your website updated, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. If you need help with social media marketing, the Beavercreek Chamber offers resources and training to get you on the right track! 4. Not Using Social Media Effectively Just posting a random photo once a month won’t cut it. Social media is a powerful tool—but only if you use it right. Fix: Be consistent! Post regularly, engage with followers, and create content that provides value. Don’t have time? Consider hiring a social media manager or using a scheduling tool. 5. Ignoring Email Marketing Many businesses think email marketing is outdated, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Done right, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to stay connected with customers. Fix: Build an email list and send valuable content (not just sales pitches). Need guidance? The Chamber offers marketing workshops that cover email strategies! 6. Not Tracking Marketing Efforts How do you know if your marketing is working? Many small businesses skip tracking their efforts, which means they could be wasting time and money. Fix: Use tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and email open rates to measure success. Adjust your strategy based on the data. 7. Overlooking Local SEO If someone searches for a business like yours in your town, will they find you? If not, you’re missing out on easy traffic. Fix: Claim your Google My Business profile, encourage customer reviews, and use location-specific keywords on your website. 8. Underestimating the Power of Networking Marketing isn’t just about digital strategies—it’s about relationships too! Many small businesses forget that networking can bring in valuable leads and partnerships. Fix: Attend networking events, join your local Chamber of Commerce (like the Beavercreek Chamber!), and collaborate with other businesses. 9. Not Investing in Professional Branding A DIY logo and inconsistent branding make a business look unprofessional. Customers judge books by their covers—so make sure yours is polished! Fix: Hire a professional designer or use high-quality templates. Maintain a consistent look across your website, social media, and marketing materials. 10. Giving Up Too Soon Marketing is a long game. Too many small businesses throw in the towel when they don’t see immediate results. Fix: Stay consistent, keep testing different strategies, and be patient. Marketing success doesn’t happen overnight—but when done right, it pays off! Avoiding these common mistakes will help you build a stronger, more effective marketing strategy. And remember, the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce is here to support your business with networking, workshops, marketing assistance, and more. Not a Member yet? JOIN NOW at www.beavercreekchamber.org *Blog generated by ChatGPT

Spring is here and so are SCORE Dayton’s Small Business Workshops! Almost 5000 local business and nonprofit leaders have been trained in the 12 years Dayton SCORE has been conducting our live in person workshops. Attendees are eligible to work with a SCORE mentor at no additional cost. There is no substitute for live, in person interactions to get the most value from your time. The workshops are VERY interactive with attendees able to ask our experts specific questions and to talk with their peers about their experiences. The spring schedule is as follows: Strategic planning – April 4, 10 am Register Conscientious Leadership – April 4, 1 pm Register Unlock the power of AI – April 22, 5:30 pm Register Workshops are at the Presidential Center in Kettering, OH Lunch will be provided April 4 and a light dinner April 22 Cost is $10 per session, $15 for AI.

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Attention, Greene County community members! Mark your calendars and register today for the highly anticipated Greene County Legislative Breakfast on June 6, 2025 presented by Clark State College . This annual event is your exclusive opportunity to engage directly with local and state government officials, gaining insights into the legislative landscape that shapes our community. Event Details: Date: Friday, June 6, 2025​ Location: Greene County Career Center​ Time: 7:30-9:30 AM Cost : $10/person Food : Continental breakfast provided Register Here Why Attend? Direct Dialogue: Engage in meaningful conversations with your representatives, voicing your concerns and ideas.​ Legislative Insights: Stay informed about current and upcoming policies affecting Greene County.​ Networking: Connect with fellow community members, business leaders, and policymakers.​ Stay Tuned! Legislators listing will be announced as they confirm on the event registration page. Don't miss this chance to be part of a pivotal community event. Your voice matters in shaping the future of Greene County!