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If your chamber membership is gathering dust because you don't enjoy networking events, you're missing out on significant value hiding in plain sight. While mixers and ribbon cuttings get the spotlight, your membership includes strategic resources that can solve real business problems, even for those of us who hate “working a room.” Your Chamber as Problem-Solving Partner Before hiring expensive consultants or spending hours researching solutions or attending City Council meetings with time you don’t have, tap into your chamber's institutional knowledge. Most chambers field dozens of questions weekly from businesses facing similar challenges. Need a reliable commercial insurance broker? Wondering about local permit requirements? Looking for employee benefits providers? Your chamber staff has likely connected ten other businesses with exactly what you need in the past month alone. A simple phone call can save you days of research and connect you with pre-vetted resources. Leverage Collective Buying Power Your chamber membership often includes access to group rates on essential services. Health insurance, payment processing, shipping discounts, office supplies, and advertising opportunities frequently come with member pricing that can save thousands annually. Many business owners never explore these benefits because they assume switching providers is complicated. Start with one area—perhaps credit card processing fees or shipping costs—and request a comparison quote through your chamber's endorsed programs. The savings often pay for your membership several times over. - Medical Plan available to Chamber Members through Aetna Strategic Visibility Without the Small Talk Hate networking events but still need visibility? Most chambers offer alternative exposure opportunities: member spotlights in newsletters, social media features, directory listings with SEO benefits, an article in their destination guide, and quote opportunities for press releases. Volunteer for a committee that meets during business hours rather than evening mixers. You'll build deeper relationships with fewer people while contributing your expertise. Economic development, public policy, events, or education committees often need people and meet in formats more comfortable than cocktail parties. - Your membership comes with an online listing that has a customizable landing page, complete with ability to rate and review. However, if your current membership level does not include this, feel free to contact us to discuss an upgrade: Office@llchamber.com - Interested in volunteering? Let us know: Office@llchamber.com . We’re always looking for people willing to lend a hand! - We’d love to hear your praise for the Chamber—send us a short quote!. Interested? You know the email: Office@llchamber.com . - Join our 2026 Leadership class and spend time with a select group of up and coming community leaders. Currently accepting applications through December 1. Make Your Voice Count Chambers actively advocate on behalf of businesses with local and state government. Your membership gives you a direct channel to influence policies affecting your bottom line from zoning regulations to tax policies. Most chambers solicit member input on advocacy priorities but rarely hear from the majority of their membership. When your chamber sends advocacy surveys or requests feedback, take ten minutes to respond. Your specific challenges and stories give chamber leaders concrete examples when they're meeting with elected officials. -Check out our Government Affairs Committee or join them, second Thursdays monthly, 9-10AM, at the Chamber. Playlists of past events also available on YouTube ! - Check out our Military Affairs Council- they meet monthly, first Tuesdays at noon, at the conference room in Fairfield Inn & Suites. They also have quarterly MAC socials. Sign up for our December 10 th social (free!) or contact us to discuss hosting one: Office@llchamber.com. Your chamber membership is a toolkit, not a ticket to parties. Identify two or three benefits aligned with your current business needs and commit to using them this quarter. The return on investment is there. You just need to claim it. - We are also collecting survey answers to better serve our community- please let us know! It’s short (we promise!) and will enter you for a chance to win a “LeavenworthIt” Swag bag. Read More: - 10 Ways to Get the Most from your Chamber Membership - How to Build Business Connections (Even if You Hate Networking) - Local Business Partnerships Strengthen Communities and Drive Growth - Your Chamber Listing Matters More Than Ever! ----------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer/ghostwriter who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She loves road trips, hates exclamation points, and is currently reading three books at once. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Everyone is telling you that you should be doing something with AI for your business. Every newsletter, podcast, and conference talk seems to assume you're already knee-deep in implementation. Meanwhile, you're stuck at square one (or just using it to write an email here or there), overwhelmed by options and uncertain where to begin. Welcome to AI paralysis—the small business challenge nobody's talking about. When we talk about AI paralysis, we’re not addressing the technophobe or those business owners who are resistant to change. It's understandable that they have their hesitation. But you’re different. You’re not against AI. You already use it a little but you’re not sure how to implement it in your business for maximum efficiencies. You’re just being a practical business owner and you don’t want to make an expensive mistake. But you're watching competitors post about their "AI transformation" and wondering if ChatGPT is even relevant to your industry. The fear of choosing wrong often feels worse than choosing nothing at all. Why Businesses Are Afraid of AI The paralysis typically stems from three sources. First, the options are genuinely overwhelming. Do you need a custom solution or an off-the-shelf tool? Should you be thinking about customer service bots, marketing automation, or operational efficiency? Second, the terminology is deliberately confusing. Companies slap "AI-powered" on everything, making it impossible to separate genuine innovation from rebranded software. Third, there's no clear ROI calculator for your specific situation. What works for a tech startup might be useless for a dental practice. You don't need an AI strategy with all the bells and whistles. You need to solve specific problems, and AI might be one tool in your arsenal. How to Use AI for Your Business Start by ignoring the hype entirely. Don’t just jump on the latest rollout. Instead, write down your three biggest operational headaches. Get clear on the tasks that waste time, create bottlenecks, or drive you crazy. Maybe it's answering the same customer questions repeatedly, writing product descriptions, or scheduling appointments. Don't think about AI yet. Just identify the pain. Now, for each problem, spend thirty minutes exploring if an AI tool exists that addresses it. Not researching broadly—specifically searching for solutions to that exact problem. You'll quickly discover that for many small business needs, purpose-built AI tools already exist and cost less than hiring additional help. The key is starting microscopically small. Don't implement an enterprise solution. Try one free or low-cost tool for one specific task. Use ChatGPT to draft email responses for a week. Test an AI scheduling assistant for a month. Let an AI transcription service handle your meeting notes. These tiny experiments cost almost nothing and teach you what AI can do. For most small businesses, AI's real value isn't in dramatic transformation. It's in recovering small pockets of time that accumulate into meaningful savings. Fifteen minutes saved on daily email drafts. Twenty minutes saved on social media planning. An hour saved on meeting summaries. It’s unlikely you’ll fall behind your competition because you haven’t built custom AI solutions. The businesses that will struggle in the future are those that haven’t experimented with anything at all. AI paralysis ends the moment you treat it like any other business tool: try something small, measure if it works, keep it or dump it, then move on to the next experiment. If you’re not sure where to start, check with your chamber of commerce. It’s likely they have resources, programming, or connections that can help you figure out how to use AI tools for greater efficiency. Further Reading: 5 Genius Ways AI Can Stretch Your Existing Content AI For Small Businesses: Practical Steps to Boost Efficiency and Customer Engagement AI Isn't Replacing SEO- It's Redefining It How to Win at Content With AI  ----------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

A Guide to Recovering Revenue You Didn't Know You Were Losing When was the last time you reviewed your business subscriptions? From software to streaming services, you could have hundreds of dollars out there that you had forgotten about. That’s money that’s been quietly slipping through the cracks. Most business owners are so focused on bringing money in the front door that they don't notice it leaking out the back. But this "hidden cash" is actually easier to find than new customers, and the returns are immediate. It’s a treasure hunt through your business finances so grab your coffee, block off a few hours, and let's go find your money. Stop #1: The Subscription Graveyard Time needed: 30-45 minutes Pull up your bank and credit card statements from the last three months. Look for any recurring charges and ask yourself these questions: When's the last time someone on your team used this service? Are we paying for user seats that employees no longer occupy? Did we upgrade to a premium plan for a feature we used once? Is there a free or cheaper alternative that would work just as well? (This is especially important to ask yourself with many AI programs out there doing things you once needed from desparate pieces of software. Many platforms now do multiple tasks and you can cancel those that are redundant.) Common culprits include stock photo subscriptions, legacy software that's been replaced but never cancelled, LinkedIn Premium accounts for former salespeople, and that project management tool everyone swore they'd use but didn't. Action item: Create a simple spreadsheet listing every subscription, its monthly cost, who uses it, and when you last reviewed it. Set a calendar reminder to repeat this exercise every six months. Stop #2: Your Pricing Structure Time needed: 2-3 hours When was the last time you looked at your pricing? Not tweaked it, but truly analyzed whether it reflects your current costs, expertise, and market position? Many business owners set their prices years ago and rarely revisit them. Meanwhile, their costs have increased, their skills have improved, and their market value has grown. You could be leaving significant money on the table. Here's a quick pricing health check: Compare your pricing to three competitors. Are you significantly lower? Why? Calculate your true cost of delivery TODAY including your time, materials, overhead, and a reasonable profit margin. Are you actually making money on each sale? Review your most and least profitable products or services. Should you be promoting different offerings? Check if you have any "legacy" customers still on old pricing from years ago. Action item: Block out time next week to analyze your three best-selling products or services. Run the numbers, then consider whether a strategic price increase makes sense. Stop #3: Vendor Contract Review Time needed: 1-2 hours per major vendor Your business relationships shouldn't be on autopilot. That insurance policy, cleaning service, or shipping contract you signed three years ago? The market has probably changed, and you might have more negotiating power than you think. Start with your biggest recurring expenses: rent, insurance, utilities, payment processing, shipping, and major suppliers. For each one, ask: When did we last shop around or renegotiate? Has our volume increased, potentially qualifying us for better rates? Are there competitors offering introductory deals to win our business? What would it take to get a 10% discount—annual prepayment, longer contract, higher volume commitment? You'd be surprised how often a simple phone call results in immediate savings. For instance, if you were to contact your credit card processor to discuss rates and review options, and they agreed to reduce their processing fees by 0.4%, how much money would that put in your pocket instead of theirs? It’s worth the ask. Action item: Identify your top five recurring expenses. Make it a goal to renegotiate or shop around for one per month over the next five months. Stop #4: The Cash Flow Calendar Time needed: 1-2 hours initially This isn't exactly "hidden" cash, but it's cash you're not accessing efficiently. Many businesses have money trapped in poor timing—paying vendors before they collect from customers, missing early payment discounts, or not taking advantage of favorable payment terms. Cash flow is the most common reason businesses fail. It’s not failing to make sales; it’s the timing of payments. Map out a simple cash flow calendar showing: When you typically get paid by customers (net 30, net 60, etc.) When you have to pay vendors and suppliers Any seasonal gaps or crunches in cash availability Then look for opportunities: Can you incentivize customers to pay faster with small discounts? Should you negotiate longer payment terms with vendors to match your collection cycle? Are you taking advantage of early payment discounts from suppliers when they make financial sense? Could you shift major expenses away from traditionally slow revenue months? Action item: Create a basic cash flow calendar for the next three months. Look for any obvious timing mismatches or opportunities. Stop #5: Unused Assets and Dead Inventory Time needed: 2-4 hours Walk through your space and look for things you're paying to store, maintain, or insure that you're not using. Physical inventory that hasn't moved in over a year is costing you money in storage, insurance, and opportunity cost. It's better to liquidate it at a discount and redeploy that cash than to let it gather dust. The same goes for equipment you're maintaining but not using, domain names you're not developing, or office space you're renting "just in case." Action item: Do a physical inventory check. Flag anything that hasn't been touched in 6-12 months and plan to either use it, sell it, or donate it. Stop #6: Tax Advantages You're Missing Time needed: 1 hour + consultation The IRS will never contact you to tell you that you’re paying too much. Nor will they call with a helpful “you missed this deduction.” Some commonly overlooked deductions and strategies include: Home office deduction (if you work from home) Vehicle mileage for business purposes (not just big trips—those coffee meetings count) Professional development and continuing education Equipment purchases that can be immediately expensed under Section 179 Health insurance premiums for self-employed individuals Retirement contributions that reduce taxable income Action item: Schedule a meeting with your accountant specifically to discuss tax optimization strategies. Bring your questions. A good accountant can often find savings that more than pay for their fees. Your 30-Day Treasure Hunt Plan Finding hidden cash doesn't have to be overwhelming. Start slowly and as you find money, you’ll be emboldened to do more. Here's a realistic action plan: Week 1: Review subscriptions and cancel what you don't need (30-45 minutes) Week 2: Analyze your three best-selling products/services for pricing opportunities (2-3 hours) Week 3: Contact your biggest vendor to discuss rates and terms (1 hour) Week 4: Create your cash flow calendar and identify one timing improvement (1-2 hours) Total time investment: 5-7 hours Potential monthly recovery: $500-$3,000+ Potential annual recovery: $6,000-$36,000+ Finding hidden cash is as easy as setting aside the time to pay attention to the details that get overlooked when you're busy running and growing your company. The beauty of this is that every dollar you recover goes straight to your bottom line. You don't have to market for it, deliver it, or service it. It's simply money that was already yours. You just needed to find it. ----------------------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Think of the person in your circle (even tangentially) who comes to mind when you read the word, “boring.” Who is it? Now ask yourself why you think they’re boring. It’s your opinion, right? Maybe all they do is talk about sports or maybe when you’re talking about sports, they want to talk about the weather. Perhaps they’re not boring at all. Maybe it’s just that you don’t have mutual interests. If your business is struggling to attract loyal customers, it might be that you’re suffering from the same thing. Maybe you’re talking about things your ideal customer doesn’t care about. It’s time to get their attention and become much more interesting to them. The Problem with Basic Marketing The problem many businesses face when it comes to their marketing message isn’t that they are inherently boring. It’s that what they choose to make their message is not something that appeals to their ideal audience. To captivate that audience, you need to first understand who the audience is, then present something that they need/want, and make that solution plausible/believable. But sadly, most businesses and professionals describe their services in generic ways that sound dreamy but completely inactionable or boring such as: A life coach who writes, “I help people follow their dreams.” Or a bakery that posts, “We sell cookies.” Why Generic Messaging Falls Flat Now before you argue, “But it’s what we do,” consider this: when was the last time you searched, “How do I follow my dreams?”? While you don’t have to go into long descriptions about what you do and how you do it, you do need to help your ideal client think to themselves, “That’s what I need.” It’s time to tighten up your marketing message. 1. Identify who you’re speaking to and be specific. Is it moms? Doctors? Students? Who will see the most help from your offerings? 2. Solve a problem they already have. Marketing your product or service will be so much easier if you’re selling something they already know they need. 3. Use language that fits what they’re looking for. Again, very few people are googling, “How do I follow my dreams?”. 4. Show how you can help them get what they want. Your customers have needs, wants, and struggles. They need to trust you understand what that is and can help them. 5. Line up testimonials that speak the same language. If you go through all the work to craft your marketing message, you want to use testimonials that reinforce it. So, let’s put that all together. Remember the life coach who helped people follow their dreams? We’re going to transform that message from meh to mesmerizing. Step 1. Identify the audience Instead of using the generic “people,” the life coach drills down to the realization she works best with mid-career professional women who feel stuck in unfulfilling jobs. Step 2. Solve a problem they already have Their problem isn’t “I can’t follow my dreams.” It’s “I’m burned out in my career and don’t know how to pivot without starting over.” Step 3. Employ the language they’re actually using Her ideal client is more likely searching for phrases like “career change at 40,” “how to find a meaningful job,” or “get unstuck in my career” than “follow my dreams.” Step 4. Show how you can help them get what they want These professional women don’t just want “dreams.” They want clarity, confidence, and an actionable plan to shift into work that lights them up and pays the bills. Step 5. Align testimonials Instead of posting a generic “she helped me follow my dreams,” a stronger testimonial would read something like: “I went from dreading Mondays to launching a consulting business I love. She gave me the tools to make the leap with confidence.” And you could get a testimonial like that by asking a successful client, “What’s changed in your life after working with me? Where were you before and where are you now?” That leads the client into formulating something much more substantial than, “She helped me so much.” Are you ready for the revamped marketing message/elevator pitch? Instead of “I help people follow their dreams,” it’s now… “I help professional women in their 40s who feel stuck in unfulfilling careers gain the clarity and confidence to pivot into work they love without sacrificing income or starting from scratch.” Hear the difference? Now we know exactly who can benefit. There’s no mistaking it and anyone thinking of giving this life coach a referral knows who she’s looking to work with. Those few simple words transform the original vague promise into something specific, problem-solving, and benefits driven. And that means people hearing it and reading it will know when they are the target audience. READ MORE: Are You Accidentally Repelling Perfect Customers? Fast-Track Trust: How to Win Customers Quickly Helping Customers Move Past "Let Me Think About It" ------------------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Mastering the Art of Sharing (but not oversharing) Your audience wants to hear from you and get to know you, but oversharing (or sharing inappropriate topics) comes with its own set of problems. Sharing engaging things about yourself will help you build the kind of connections that improve revenue and customer loyalty. If you want to help your customers (and potential customers) get to know you better, we have 15 conversation starters (and post templates you can customize) to help. 1. Your Favorite Local Spot 📍 “When I’m not at [Your Business], you’ll probably find me at [Local Spot] [verb that fits that business] on my favorite [favorite thing about that business]. What’s YOUR go-to place in town?” Example: When I’m not here, I’m at Rocco’s Bookstore sipping my favorite caramel latte and perusing the true crime books. What’s YOUR go-to place in town? 2. Morning Rituals How do you start your day? Share it with your audience. Example: ☕ “Confession: I’m 90% coffee, 10% small business owner in the morning. How do you start your day?” 3. Behind-the-Scenes Moments What is working in your line of business really like? Keep it positive but don’t be afraid to show the hard work or humor behind your day. 📦 “Behind the scenes isn’t always glamorous. Today it’s [describe something funny/chaotic or show a picture or video of what you’re working on]. What’s something most people don’t know about your line of work?” 4. Local Events You Enjoy This is a great way to give a shoutout to another business or group. 🎶 “Loved spending my weekend at [Event Name]! Who else was there? 🙌” 5. Your “Small Joys” Life can be overwhelming. Sharing what keeps you grounded can help others feel the same. 🌅 “Today’s joy: [small moment—like a great cup of coffee, a laugh with a customer, or a pretty sunset]. What made you smile today?” 6. Books or Podcasts You’re Loving 📚 “Currently reading/listening to [Book/Podcast]. It’s got me thinking about [short insight]. Any recommendations I should add to my list?” 7. Pet (or Plant) Adventures 🐾 “Meet our unpaid intern, [Pet’s Name]. Their specialties include napping, snack theft, and morale boosting. 🐶🐱 Show me your ‘coworkers’ in the comments!” People love to talk about their pets and share photos. Plus, it gives you a point of conversation when a loyal customer shares something about their precious fur baby. 8. Food Finds Give other businesses a chance to shine by asking people their favorite or giving them a scenario and asking where you should go such as, “It’s Taco Tuesday. Where are the best fish tacos in town?” or “I love the fish tacos at Julies. Are you team fish or team beef when it comes to that delicious dish?” By asking, you’ll discover people have big feelings about fish tacos (and Hawaiian pizza). 🍕 “Friday night = pizza night. Always. What’s your weekend food tradition?” 9. Music on Repeat 🎧 “On repeat in the shop/office today: [Song/Band]. Drop your current favorite in the comments—I need new tunes!” It can also help when asking for new tunes to give a reason behind your ask like a workout mix, soothing sleep, or romantic date night track. 10. Hobbies and Hopes 🏃 “Training for my first [hobby/goal]. Wish me luck! What new hobby have you picked up this year?” Not only does this connect you to your audience, but it also encourages people to try new things. This can be helpful for those who are interested in something your business specializes in. Maybe they’ve thought about starting a hobby that you’re a pro at and explaining that you started something will make them feel more welcome. For instance, if you’re a gym owner, make sure you tell people that everyone is welcome whether it’s their first workout in 20 years or their 2,001st. Conversely, if you’re for pros only be specific about that. Sometimes the hardest part of trying a new business is wondering if it’s for you. 11. Throwback Stories 📸 “Throwback to my very first day running [Business Name]. I had no idea what I was in for! Do you remember your first day at your job or business?” You can also rephrase the question and ask people what their first job was. Everyone has a first job. 12. Community Pride ❤️ “One of the things I love most about [Your Town] is [specific detail]. What’s YOUR favorite thing about our community?” 13. Your Workspace Quirks 🖊️ “True story: I will fight anyone who tries to take my favorite pen. 😂 What’s one thing you always keep at your desk?” Or ask people what drink is in front of them right now. Asking what’s inscribed on their coffee mug is also a fun question with potentially hilarious results. 14. Seasonal Traditions 🍂 “It’s officially [season/holiday]! Around here that means [tradition]. What’s your favorite tradition?” 15. Gratitude Posts “Just taking a moment to say THANK YOU to every customer who has supported us. You’re the reason we get to keep doing what we love. 💛 What’s something you’re grateful for today?” ✨ Pro Tip: Add a quick photo or short video to each of these posts (your coffee mug, your pet, your desk, your town’s mural, etc.). Visuals + these captions = maximum engagement. If you think of your posts as a conversation and not a monologue, you’ll open up a new connection between your business and your audience. That can be fun and lucrative. Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Maybe you can’t afford a celebrity endorsement like Taylor Swift, but there are still plenty of lucrative opportunities to do something on a local scale. Influence marketing is changing. While businesses once chased celebrity endorsements and mega-influencers with millions of followers, smart companies are discovering that their most powerful brand ambassadors might already be customers or people sitting in the next booth at the local coffee shop. The Importance of the Micro-Influencer Micro-influencers (commonly considered individuals with 1,000 to 100,000 followers, although some groups refer to those with follower counts under 10,000 as nano-influencers.) are reshaping how businesses approach marketing. Unlike their celebrity counterparts, these local voices carry something money can't buy—authentic trust within their communities. Their followers aren't passive observers; they're engaged neighbors, colleagues, and friends who genuinely value their opinions. Research consistently shows that micro-influencers generate higher engagement rates than macro-influencers. A study by Influencer Marketing Hub found that influencers with fewer than 10,000 followers achieve engagement rates of 7%, compared to just 1.7% for those with over 100,000 followers. More importantly for local businesses, 82% of consumers are highly likely to follow a recommendation made by a micro-influencer. Since these micro-influencers are part of the community the buyer lives in, they’re likely to feel more connected and act on their suggestions because doing so requires minimal effort. Imagine a digital nomad telling you all the great places to visit in Thailand. If you’re located in Iowa, following in their footsteps is going to require saving for the trip and a lot of planning. On the other hand, if the influencer is giving tips about places in your community, you’re more likely to act immediately and often. Finding Gold in Your Own Backyard The beauty of micro-influencer marketing lies in its accessibility. These aren't distant celebrities. They're your customers, community leaders, local bloggers, and passionate hobbyists. They're the yoga instructor who genuinely loves your smoothie shop, the local photographer who always tags your boutique, or the high school teacher who raves about your bookstore on social media. Start by auditing your existing customer base. Who among your regular clients has an active social media presence? Look for customers who already post about your business organically, engage meaningfully with your content, or demonstrate expertise in your industry. These natural advocates often make the most effective micro-influencers because their endorsement feels genuine rather than forced. You can also take a look at your favorable reviews. Google also makes it easy to see just how active they are in reviewing other businesses as well. Building Partnerships The key to successful micro-influencer partnerships is building that relationship. Traditional advertising feels intrusive, but when someone's trusted neighbor recommends a local business, it feels like valuable advice. This is why the most effective micro-influencer campaigns don't feel like marketing at all. Instead of scripted posts, provide micro-influencers with experiences worth sharing. Invite them to behind-the-scenes events, offer exclusive previews of new products, or ask for their input on business decisions. When a local food blogger shares their genuine excitement about helping you choose your new seasonal menu, it’s great for both of you. You get the attention from their audience and the influencer appears to have a “secret in” to your business, making them look like VIPs to their followers. Consider offering value beyond payment. Many micro-influencers are more motivated by exclusive access, professional development opportunities, or the chance to be part of something special than by monetary compensation. A fitness influencer might prefer a year of free classes over a one-time payment, especially if it includes early access to new programs they can share with their community. Instead of writing a check, consider how you can help them grow their base by giving them access to things others don’t. Quick Cross-Promotional Networks If you’re reading this and wondering how you’ll ever have time to find local influencers, try your chamber of commerce. While they may not know individual influencers, they likely have a good idea about which members are heavily involved in social media. Working through the chamber, you may be able to find a complementary business that is willing to talk you up to their audience. The chamber itself is also a local influencer so share what you’re trying to do with the staff as well. The Mechanics of Local Influence Effective micro-influencer campaigns start with clear objectives. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, drive foot traffic, or launch a new product? Your goals will determine which micro-influencers to partner with and what kind of content to create. Do your best to understand the micro-influencer’s audience. After all, you want their audience to be people who would buy from you. Local businesses have unique advantages in micro-influencer marketing. You can invite influencers to your physical location, create content featuring recognizable local landmarks, and tap into community pride. A micro-influencer's post about discovering a hidden gem in their own neighborhood carries more weight than generic product placement. Track meaningful metrics beyond follower counts. Monitor engagement rates, click-throughs to your website, foot traffic increases, and most importantly, sales attribution. Many successful local businesses use unique discount codes or landing pages for each micro-influencer to measure direct impact. Building Long-Term Relationships The most successful micro-influencer strategies focus on building lasting relationships rather than one-off campaigns. Treat your micro-influencer partners as extensions of your marketing team. Provide them with regular updates about your business, seek their feedback on new initiatives, and celebrate their successes alongside your own. Create exclusive communities for your micro-influencer partners. Private Facebook groups or Slack channels where they can share ideas, collaborate on content, and access insider information make them feel valued and connected to your brand story. Measuring Impact Beyond Numbers While metrics matter, don't overlook qualitative indicators of success. Are your micro-influencer partners becoming genuine brand advocates? Do their posts generate meaningful conversations about your business? Are they referring other potential partners or customers? Pay attention to the ripple effects. A single relatable post from a respected community member can influence their followers to become micro-advocates themselves, creating an organic chain of word-of-mouth marketing that extends far beyond the original partnership. The Future of Neighborhood Marketing As consumers increasingly seek authentic connections and local experiences, micro-influencer marketing represents more than a marketing tactic. It's a return to community-based commerce. Businesses that master the art of turning neighbors into brand ambassadors will build deeper community roots and more sustainable customer relationships. The next time you see a customer post enthusiastically about your business, don't just hit "like" and move on. That customer might be your next micro-influencer, ready to introduce your brand to their trusted network of neighbors, friends, and community members. In the world of local business, sometimes the most powerful marketing voice belongs to the person next door. -------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle, rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

If you’ve ever parented a teenager, you know talking back is not to be celebrated. But when it comes to your business website, talking back is the next big trend. Most websites feel like digital brochures. You scroll, you click, you squint at tiny menus—and if you can’t find what you’re looking for in 20 seconds, you’re gone. On to the next one. But what if you landed on a website that immediately addresses your needs: “Hi there! Looking for a haircut, a color, or some products?” You type “Color,” and the site replies: “Excellent. Want to see our stylists’ availability this week?” No scrolling, no clicking, no calling. Just the information you want right away. That’s a conversational website—and it’s not just for tech giants. Thanks to new AI tools, even the smallest businesses can create sites that chat with customers, not just sit there looking pretty. Why Conversational Websites Could Be the Next Big Thing There are many benefits to a conversational website. Most visitors want quick answers but they don’t want to speak to a person. If they did, they would’ve called. This gives them the answers they want when they want them. Additionally, a conversational website can: Save time: Customers get quick answers any time of day or night instead of calling or emailing you. It will also save your employees time because they won’t have to put off customers to answer the phone or respond to an email. Make sales easier: Instead of a clunky order form, a friendly bot can walk people through the buying process step by step. With advances in AI and search, people are migrating away from typing answers and questions. Most rely on verbal commands and conversations. Search and inquiries are becoming more and more conversational. Feel personal: Customers want to feel seen, not like they’re filling out a tax form. A conversational flow makes your brand warmer and more approachable, especially when you create the tone for your virtual assistant. But I Can’t Code The good news is you don’t need to know a single line of code. Seriously. Tools are popping up every day that do the heavy lifting for you. 1. Build a Site Just by Talking to It Platforms like Wix’s AI Builder let you describe your business in plain English— “I run a bakery that specializes in birthday cakes and gluten-free treats.” —then it generates a full website, complete with text, design, and images. 2. Replace Boring Forms with Friendly Chats Instead of “Fill out this contact form,” tools like Landbot or Tidio turn that process into a conversation. Bot: “What’s your name?” Visitor: “Samantha.” Bot: “Hi Samantha! Want to see today’s specials or book a table?” Lead captured. Customer happy. 3. Let AI Test and Tweak Your Site for You  Services like Coframe quietly improve your site in the background. They test different headlines, buttons, and layouts to see what gets the most clicks—no knowledge of A/B testing required. A Few Tips to Keep It Human Even with all this cool tech, the magic is in your brand’s personality. Keep these best practices in mind: Use your voice. If you’re a playful boutique, let your chatbot be sassy. If you’re a financial planner, keep it calm and professional. Be clear it’s AI. Customers don’t mind chatting with a bot, but they do mind feeling tricked. There are some really good AIs out there. It may not be obvious to them that they are not talking to one of your employees. Be transparent about that. Guide people forward. Every conversation should end with a next step: “Book now,” “Call us,” or “See more.” Anticipate what would logically come next. Ready to Make Your Website Talk? Your customers (and potential customers) want quick answers, easy booking, and a sense that someone’s listening and understands what they want—even if that “someone” is AI. With today’s tools, you don’t need a tech team or a giant budget. You just need your unique voice and a willingness to let your website have a conversation instead of being a silent billboard. Internet interactions are becoming more conversational. Watch how people around you are using their phones. They’re talking to AIs more often than people. You want to make sure you’re prepared to answer them back. -------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Surviving Disaster: A Small Business Resource Guide

You've polished your website, perfected your elevator pitch, and your product or service genuinely solves real problems. Yet somehow, you keep attracting the wrong customers—the ones who haggle over every penny, make unreasonable demands, or disappear after one purchase. Meanwhile, your dream clients seem to float past, elusive, visiting but not buying. Why? As in any human relationship, you need to be more magnetic. If your answer is, “I’m trying,” then perhaps you’re creating the wrong kind of magnetic field around your brand. Opposites Don't Always Attract in Business Did you ever play with magnets? If you did, then you know magnets have two poles that create distinct fields of attraction and repulsion. Your business has something similar. Every decision you make, from your pricing strategy to your communication style, either attracts or repels specific types of customers. Most beginning businesspeople think success is about appealing to as many people as possible. Their marketing consists of claims like, “This is a great gift for everyone,” “This item fits everyone’s lifestyle.” But trying to appeal to everyone creates neutral magnetism that attracts no one strongly. Most customers don’t want to be everyone. They want to be spoken to in ways that catch their attention, such as “Creative architects love our tool,” or “We help people who hate doing yardwork get their weekend back.” Those types of callouts leave a potential customer thinking, “That’s me,” which inadvertently directs them to think, “That (product/service) is for me.” Speaking in Your Customer's Natural Wavelength Additionally, your ideal customers operate on distinct "business frequencies," that’s to say, patterns of decision-making, communication preferences, and value systems that are surprisingly predictable within industries and personality types. Most businesses broadcast on a "Generic FM"—bland, safe messaging that technically reaches everyone but resonates with no one. Your competition is probably doing the same thing, which is why customers can't tell you apart. Tuning Into the Right Station Let's say you run a marketing agency. Instead of saying "We help businesses grow," try identifying your ideal client's specific “frequency”: ● The Overwhelmed Entrepreneur: "For entrepreneurs who lie awake at 2 AM wondering why their great product isn't selling itself" ● The Scaling Company: "When your scrappy startup marketing tactics hit a wall at $2M revenue" ● The Corporate Escapee: "Marketing services for executives who fled corporate life and swore they'd never work with agencies that speak in buzzwords again" Each message repels two groups while magnetizing one and that's exactly what you want. Availability Affects Attraction Many small businesses are getting it backwards. They think being constantly available and accommodating makes them more attractive. In reality, it often signals low value and desperation, which is the business equivalent of appearing too eager on a first date. This doesn't mean you should be difficult to buy from. No one’s going to purchase from someone playing “hard to get.” It means understanding what behavioral economists call "perceived scarcity signals." These are subtle indicators that communicate value through selective availability. Examples of Strategic Scarcity ● A landscape architect who only takes on three projects per quarter (instead of cramming in as many as possible). You’ll often see this in marketing as “I just had a spot open up. Grab it now because I only have availability like this once a quarter.” ● A consultant who requires a discovery call before proposing. “Let’s jump on a call and see if we’re a good fit for one another.” ● A restaurant that closes one day per week "to maintain quality" (instead of staying open every day to maximize revenue). Chick-fil-a, enough said. These businesses repel price-sensitive, high-maintenance customers while attracting clients who associate selectivity with expertise. The Compound Interest of Customer Magnetism The most overlooked aspect of customer attraction is that it compounds over time if you maintain consistency and think about how every interaction either strengthens or weakens your magnetism. When you bend your standards, lower your prices, or compromise your values to accommodate a marginal customer (not your ideal customer), you don't just make that one transaction less profitable. You make it harder to attract ideal customers in the future. Conversely, every time you politely decline a poor-fit customer or maintain your standards despite pressure, you strengthen your brand. Word spreads through your ideal customer network that you're selective, professional, and worth the premium. The other part no one tells you about catering to someone other than your ideal audience is that it endangers your word-of-mouth marketing. Word-of-mouth or referrals are something every business wants because it’s one of the most powerful types of marketing. When you market to everyone, including those who are not a good fit for you, you attract the wrong kind of customers and what they say about you will either be negative or, if it’s positive, it will attract more people who are not an ideal fit. After all, most people hang out with people who are similar to them so if they’re referring people to you it will be more people who are not your target market. The Practical Magnetism Audit Want to identify if your business has weak magnetism? Ask yourself these questions: Attraction Audit: ● Do your last five new customers have similar characteristics, challenges, and values? ● Would your best customers enthusiastically recommend you to their friends? ● Do people often say "I never would have thought of that" when you explain your approach? Repulsion Audit: ● Can you clearly articulate who your service is NOT for? ● Do you regularly turn away inquiries that aren't a good fit? ● Would your worst customers give similar complaints about what they didn't like? If you answered no to most of these questions, you likely have neutral polarity—trying to be everything to everyone and ending up magnetic to no one. Rewiring Your Business Magnetic Field Start by identifying your strongest existing customer relationships. What specific problems do you solve for them that no one else addresses quite the same way? What do they value about working with you that they can't get elsewhere? That's your magnetic north. Then, gradually align everything—your messaging, pricing, processes, and even your office environment—to strengthen that specific part of your brand. Some customers will drift away. Let them. They're making room for the clients who will become your biggest advocates and most profitable relationships. Remember, in a world of infinite choice and constant noise, being remarkably good for some people is infinitely more valuable than being adequate for everyone. Your perfect customers are out there, searching for exactly what you offer. The businesses thriving today aren't necessarily the ones with the best products or the biggest marketing budgets. They're the ones that have figured out how to create a strong, focused magnetic field and their ideal customers can't help but be drawn in.  That's not just good marketing. That's magnetic business design. ------------ Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Unless you've been living under a rock it's difficult to avoid all the posts about school starting back up again and summer being over. Why do those events matter? It means we're quickly approaching Q4 and that is the perfect time to review what has gone well for you this year and what has been a mounting challenge. While you may be laser-focused on holiday sales, year-end reports, and hitting those final quarterly goals, the savviest leaders know Q4 is also the time to zoom out. The decisions you make now don’t just impact your December and year end. They shape your success well into 2026. Business cycles move quickly. The economy, workforce, and technology will continue to shift in ways that reward businesses that plan ahead. Ready, Set, Go! Here’s how to get future-ready while everyone else is just trying to cross the 2025 finish line. Set Your Goals If you haven’t already done so, start by revisiting or creating a three-year strategy for your business. Businesses that thrive don’t just chase sales. They pursue a bigger vision. Use Q4 to review your long-term goals. Where do you want your company to be in 2026? Expanding into new markets? Adding product lines? Increasing automation? Achieving greater efficiency and cost savings? Write it down, get buy-in from the leadership team, and align next year’s goals with that north star. Break your vision into yearly milestones so it feels achievable, not overwhelming. When Strategy Stalls: 4 Moves to Regain Momentum ------------------- Invest in Movement Next, consider technology investments. AI, automation, and digital tools are having huge impacts on efficiency and cost-savings. If you wait until 2026 to get around to auditioning these “game changers,” you’ll be behind. Look at how technology can support your growth, through things like customer relationship management, e-commerce, or workflow automation. Starting small with a chatbot, productivity app, or scheduling tool today could free up enough resources to tackle bigger tech upgrades in 2026. 5 Genius Ways AI Can Stretch Your Existing Content AI for Small Businesses: Practical Steps to boost utility How Small Businesses Can Lead Innovation ---------------- Invest in People Your workforce also deserves attention. The talent pipeline is shifting, with Gen Z stepping into more roles and hybrid work remaining a hot topic. Businesses that build flexibility, invest in upskilling, and cultivate a strong culture now will have a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining the right people. Additionally, add professional development to your 2026 budget. It’s one of the most powerful investments for long-term growth and employee satisfaction. If you can't afford professional development for your team, consider affordable solutions like what the chamber of commerce offers. Chamber member benefits cover all employees, which means they can attend the chamber events of their choosing and may be able to meet professional development goals through chamber trainings, webinars, and events. By bringing these opportunities to your employees’ attention you look like the rock star who's assisting them in their career pathing and knowledge attainment. The chamber may also have a mentor program that your employees can participate in. This can be a huge benefit for younger employees looking for guidance. Perks & Benefits Idea List – Available to Chamber Members The New Employee Benefit Everyone Is Talking About Recognition is Free—But It Might Be the Most Valuable Investment You Make The 2025-2026 Leadership Class is now accepting applications. Access here and return to: Office@LLChamber.com by September 15. --------- Check the Finances Financial resilience is another key to success. Interest rates, inflation, and shifting consumer habits make financial agility essential. Look at your cash flow, debt, and pricing strategies. What can you adjust now to weather uncertainty in the next two years? Diversifying revenue streams ensures your 2026 success isn’t dependent on one source of income. Money Management Tips for People Who Hate Money Management Get Ready! For Small Business Week Small Business Resource Round-up Mid Year reset ------------- Build Relationships Anticipating market shifts can also give you a competitive edge. Consumer values are evolving, especially around sustainability, health, and community. Businesses that align with these trends will have a competitive advantage. Pay attention to what your customers are asking for now. It’s often a preview of what will be standard in 2026. 5 Customer-Focused Strategies to Build Loyalty and Drive Growth Hospitality is the Hidden Edge: Why Emotional Connection Drives Customer Loyalty How to Build Loyalty Without Spending a Dime on Ads ------------------- Check-in with the Chamber Finally, strengthen your community and partnerships. No business succeeds in a vacuum. Your local chamber of commerce offers resources, advocacy, and connections that can give you a leg up in uncertain times.  Don’t just look to network—collaborate. Joint promotions, shared talent pipelines, or advocacy efforts can open doors you couldn’t access alone. Q4 is the perfect time to step back, not just step up. By thinking beyond the immediate hustle and honing your business strategy, you’ll finish this year strong and ensure sustainable, future-ready growth in 2026 and beyond. 10 Ways to Get the Most from Your Chamber Membership How to Build Business Connections (Even If You Hate Networking) Local Business Partnerships Strengthen Communities, Drive Growth Your Chamber Listing Matters More Than Ever! -------------------- Looking for information on making your landing page better? Need technical assistance? Visit here! Looking for sponsorship/event hosting information? Complete this form to let us know what you’re interested in. ---------------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Local sourcing brings speed, quality, and deeper connections. Being nearby means more control and faster problem-solving. Investing locally builds community goodwill and brand trust. Start small today—test one item with a local partner. 579 words ~ 3 min. read Sometimes the best way to grow your business isn’t about going bigger—it’s about going closer. More companies are finding that partnerships with local suppliers aren’t just about where products come from—they shape how quickly a business can move, how closely it can control quality, and how much value it can create for customers and community. Speed You Can See When your suppliers are nearby, orders arrive while the ink on your sales order is still drying. Questions get answered before lunch. Product tweaks happen in days, not months. That kind of responsiveness means you can serve customers better and seize opportunities while they’re still fresh. A Front-Row Seat to Quality Working locally lets you see the process up close. You can step onto the production floor, smell the freshly cut materials, and shake hands with the people bringing your products to life. This connection makes it easier to uphold high standards, solve issues before they snowball, and create offerings you’re proud to stand behind. Partnerships That Feel Personal Local sourcing often turns into more than a transaction—it becomes a relationship. When your vendor is a short drive away, you’re not just an invoice; you’re a partner. That trust leads to creative solutions, extra care during busy seasons, and a shared investment in each other’s success. An Investment in Your Community Dollars spent locally ripple outward—supporting jobs, other small businesses, and local services. Customers notice when you make that choice, and it often strengthens loyalty. People like to buy from businesses that invest where they live, and they remember it. A Story Worth Sharing More customers want to know where their purchases come from. Being able to say, “We work with suppliers right here in our region,” isn’t just a point of pride—it’s a story people tell each other, and it builds trust faster than any marketing campaign. Your First Step Making the shift doesn’t have to mean rewriting your whole supply chain. This week, pull up your purchase list and choose one product or service to source locally. Make a call, ask a few questions, and see how quickly a handshake can turn into a partnership. Once you’ve tested the waters, you can decide where else local sourcing fits. The Bottom Line Local sourcing is about more than cutting costs—it’s about speed, quality, trust, and connection. It helps you deliver faster, control outcomes better, and strengthen your brand’s story. Global trade can move mountains, but local sourcing moves at the speed of trust—and that’s the kind of supply chain that lasts.  Read More: 5 Advantages to Localizing Your Supply Chain Local Business Partnerships Strengthen Communities and Drive Growth --- The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

Why it matters: In a tight hiring market, top candidates disappear fast... sometimes within days. Small businesses can win by acting quickly and tapping into local networks. The advantage: Local employers can decide faster, offer flexibility, and connect with candidates on a personal level. How to do it: Post jobs where your community gathers, partner with schools, and reward employee referrals. Don’t stop at hiring: Recognize contributions, offer skill growth, and create a workplace people want to stay in. The bottom line: Speed + relationships = a strong, loyal team in any labor market. When the job market tightens, the best candidates disappear fast, sometimes in days, or hours. You might see a great résumé come in on Monday and find out by Wednesday they’ve already accepted another offer. In a market like that, slow hiring isn’t just risky — it’s a dealbreaker. The advantage for small, owner-operated businesses? You can move quicker, decide faster, and connect with people in a way big companies often can’t. You’re not just offering a job; you’re offering a place where someone can belong. The Current Local Hiring Landscape Right now, almost every “Help Wanted” sign in town is competing for the same small group of job seekers. Large employers might have fancier recruitment ads, but they also have layers of approval and corporate processes that slow things down. Local businesses can spot a great fit and make an offer in days instead of weeks. That speed, paired with a personal, community-focused culture, can tip the scales in your favor. Where to Source Candidates Locally The best hires aren’t always scrolling national job boards. They might be the student you meet at a Chamber mixer, the barista who remembers your order, or the neighbor whose cousin is looking for work. Go where people already gather: coffee shop bulletin boards, community Facebook groups, Chamber events. Build real relationships with local schools and training programs so you’re top of mind when they have graduates ready to work. And don’t forget your team’s networks: a good employee referral can bring you someone who already shares your values. Retention Tips That Work for Small Teams Hiring fast is important, but keeping people takes steady attention. Flexibility is one of the biggest advantages you can offer — whether that’s letting a parent leave early for a school event or working around a student’s class schedule. Small, thoughtful gestures like public thank-yous, a shared lunch, or a local gift card can make people feel seen and appreciated. And when you cross-train employees, you’re not just filling skill gaps — you’re showing them they have a future with you. A Local Case Study Consider a local retailer who hired a high school senior for weekend shifts. She could have been just another seasonal hire, but the owner saw potential and trained her in inventory, merchandising, and customer service. Within a year, she was running weekend operations and turning down offers from bigger stores. All because the owner acted quickly and invested early. Quick-Start Checklist for This Month Post your job in at least three local spots. Reach out to a school or training program. Refresh and promote your referral bonus. Plan one new way to recognize your team. Tell people you’re hiring at your next Chamber event. The Bottom Line When talent is scarce, every day matters. Small businesses that know where to look, move quickly, and create a place people want to stay will come out ahead. It’s not just about filling jobs — it’s about building a team that grows with you and strengthens the community along the way. Read More: 5 Professional Development Practices That Will Elevate Your Team's Success From Conflict to Collaboration: Turning Workplace Disputes into Growth Opportunities The Power of 'Entry Interviews' and 'Stay Interviews': Tips from Adam Grant Recognition is Free- But it Might be the Most Valuable Investment You make Rock Stars vs. Superstars: Who's Fueling Your Team's Future? --- The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

If the thought of “tracking KPIs” makes your eyes glaze over, you’re not alone. For many small business owners, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) sound like something reserved for corporations with big budgets, bigger teams, and even bigger Excel spreadsheets. Who wants the hassle? But here’s the truth: KPIs are just numbers that tell a story and if you’re not paying attention to them, you’re running your business with the lights off. The good news? You don’t need 47 dashboards or a data analyst to track the KPIs that matter. You just need to choose a few that tell you whether you’re growing, stalling, or unknowingly throwing money out the window. Consider this article a crash course on basic KPIs. KPIs You Should Be Tracking If you’re like most businesses that are just beginning their financial tracking and analysis you’re concentrating on two things—what did I make and how much did I spend? That’s a great start but it’s a lot more nuanced than that. If you’re ready to play in the big leagues but aren’t ready to hire your own analyst, here are 5 simple KPIs you should track (and you don’t need a business degree to do so): 1. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) What it is: How much it costs you to get a new customer. Why it matters: If you’re spending $100 to get a $50 sale, that’s not marketing—it’s expensive gambling. How to track it: Divide your total marketing + sales costs by the number of new customers gained in that period. Example: $1,000 spent / 10 new customers = $100 CAC Pro tip: Keep an eye on every month. If it’s creeping up, your ads, outreach, or messaging may need a tweak. 2. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) What it is: The total revenue a single customer brings to your business over the course of your relationship with them. Why it matters: It’s not the first sale that makes you profitable—it’s the second, third, and fifteenth. How to track it: Average purchase value x number of purchases x average customer lifespan. When CLV > CAC = happy business owner. 3. Lead-to-Customer Conversion Rate What it is: The percentage of leads that turn into actual customers. Why it matters: Getting leads is great. Very exciting when someone shows interest in you but converting them is where the money happens. How to track it: (Number of new customers ÷ number of leads) x 100 Example: 10 customers ÷ 100 leads = 10% conversion rate Pro tip: If this number is low, your follow-up process or sales messaging might need work. 4. Revenue per Employee (or per Hour) What it is: A productivity metric that shows how efficient you or your team really are. It’s not about being busy, it’s about what you’re/they’re adding to the bottom line. Why it matters: Working hard is great but seeing results from that work is critical to your business’ success. For instance, imagine one employee having a laundry list of work accomplished over 40 hours but no sales to show for it or an employee working three hours and making the week’s sales number. Which employee is more valuable? How to track it: Total revenue ÷ number of employees (or hours worked, if you’re a solo act). This outcome calculates it in a general sense. If you want to figure out which employee is bringing in more revenue, you will have to create a system to assign sales to individual employees. Some PoS systems allow for codes, for instance, while most CRMs allow you to assign clients to salespeople. This calculation helps you see if you’re scaling well or just staying busy. 5. Churn Rate (a.k.a. Goodbye Rate) What it is: The percentage of customers who stop buying from you over a given period. Why it matters: A leaky bucket never fills, no matter how much water you pour in. How to track it: (Customers lost ÷ total customers at the start of the period) x 100 If this number is high, focus on customer experience, retention, and loyalty programs . Tracking Tips You don’t need to check these KPIs every day. Just set aside one hour a month to review them. Use a simple spreadsheet or dashboard, and ask: What’s improving? What’s declining? What actions should I take based on this? If you’re not sure what the trends mean, try plugging them into the AI of your choosing and ask it to run a basic analysis of the numbers and offer suggestions. KPIs aren’t just vanity metrics—they’re your early warning system, your gut check, and your business GPS. Track them consistently, and you’ll be more attuned to your businesses and where it’s headed. Further Reading: 6 Questions Every Smart Small Business Owner Asks Community-Led Growth: The Secret Sauce Smart Businesses Are Using to Scale Hospitality is the Hidden Edge: Why Emotional Connection Drives Customer Loyalty Think Bigger: How Systems Thinking Gives Small Business Owners a Smarter Edge -------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

When you’re building a small business, it’s easy to focus on the day-to-day grind—inventory, customer service, cash flow, and that never-ending inbox.

Attracting new customers is important, but building loyalty is where long-term success happens. Loyal customers spend more, visit more often, and refer others. According to business.com, they spend 67% more than first-time customers. Cultivating that loyalty takes more than just great service. It takes creativity, consistency, and value-driven engagement. Whether you run a retail store, restaurant, gym, salon, or professional service firm, there are many inventive ways to reward loyal customers and turn them into your best advocates. Rewards Programs One loyalty tactic that has been around long before the internet is a simple rewards program. Punch cards are a timeless option because they work. Whether it’s “buy 9 coffees, get the 10th free,” or “get a free appetizer after five lunch visits,” customers love a visible, tangible progress tracker. For businesses that want to modernize the concept, there are plenty of easy-to-use digital punch card apps that eliminate the need for physical cards while still offering the same satisfaction of reaching a goal. Reusable Loyalty Product If your business sells products or services that people buy frequently, consider creating a reusable loyalty item. You probably have visited a coffee shop that offers branded refillable cups where customers get discounted drinks every time they bring the cup. Smoothie and juice bars can use the same concept. This approach is environmentally friendly and encourages repeat visits. Plus, it serves as mobile advertising when customers carry your branded cup around town. Not selling food or drinks? That’s okay. Sell merch for your business and every time someone wears it into your establishment, give them a small discount for “being a fan.” Off-season Rewards For businesses that rely on seasonal sales, loyalty programs can reward off-season engagement. A clothing boutique might offer a VIP summer sale to top customers who shopped consistently during the slower winter months. A lawn care company could provide early-bird discounts in the spring to clients who stayed on board through the fall. AC companies can offer a “head start on summer” discount for customers who book before the hot season. This tactic keeps customers connected during quiet periods and evens out your sales cycle. Add-ons Service businesses have equally creative options for rewarding loyalty. Salons and spas can offer free add-ons after a certain number of visits, think a complimentary scalp massage, a product sample, or a mini facial upgrade. Gyms and fitness studios could give loyal members branded merchandise like water bottles or workout towels, or even a free guest pass to bring a friend. Pet groomers might reward frequent clients with a free pet treat or small grooming upgrade, creating small moments of surprise and delight. Members-only Members-only programs in businesses are catching on as many businesses have found out that customers are willing to pay a small yearly (or monthly) fee to have access to specials, discounts, or secret sales. Restaurants can mix it up by offering special menu items only available to loyalty members, or hosting an exclusive monthly “members-only” happy hour. Similarly, bars and breweries can roll out a mug club, where members pay a small fee for their own glass or mug and receive larger pours or discounted drinks throughout the year. These kinds of programs tap into a sense of belonging and exclusivity, making customers feel like insiders. Personalization and Appreciation Knowing what your customers want is key to creating loyalty. Reward loyalty through early access to sales (or new rollouts), VIP shopping nights, or birthday discounts. Add a personal touch by tracking customer preferences and offering tailored discounts (like a favorite brand or product) based on purchase history. Offer “surprise boxes” or curated gift packages for your most loyal customers during the holidays, adding a layer of appreciation that goes beyond standard sales promotions. Rewarding Referrals Professional services, like accounting firms, law offices, or real estate agencies, can create loyalty by rewarding client referrals and repeat business. For example, a tax preparation firm could offer returning clients a discount or bonus service (you can make this date capped so that people will use the discount sooner and not during your busy season), such as a free mid-year financial check-in. Real estate agents can send home anniversary gifts, calendars, or cards to clients who purchased a home through them, staying top of mind long after the sale is complete. Competition Another fun idea is incorporating competition into loyalty efforts. Consider what action you want your customers to take. Businesses can set up friendly challenges, such as a “Top Referrer” program where the customer who refers the most friends in a quarter wins a bigger prize. Fitness studios might run “most classes attended” contests with tiered rewards. Offices or coworking spaces can offer contests for checking in, using conference rooms, or attending events. Bookstores can offer “readers’ rewards” with discounts after a set number of purchases, or host exclusive book clubs. Florists can reward repeat customers with a complimentary bouquet after multiple orders or surprise them with a small arrangement during their birthday month. The point of any loyalty program is to make your customers feel seen and appreciated. This needn’t be costly. A simple handwritten thank you card, a surprise discount, or a personalized acknowledgment goes a long way in an age where much of business is automated. Loyalty grows when customers know you value their business and reward their commitment in meaningful ways. As the holiday season approaches, it’s a great time to launch or refresh your loyalty program. Contact the chamber and let them know about your promotional ideas. Networking opportunities provide you an additional platform from which to share your loyalty strategies with the community. Building loyalty is more than a marketing tactic. It’s an investment in long-term relationships that fuel sustained business growth and help you stand out from your competition. ------ Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith