It's Possible in Smithville

"It's Possible in Smithville!" This is the new slogan of the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a board member, I am privileged that I was able to be there at its inception.
But did you know that you, too, can be there at that table once a month to hear all the happenings of the chamber?  The meetings are not private, nor is the business discussed sacred.  As a matter of fact, the interested public is invited, especially chamber members.

The meeting is simply the chamber’s ongoing plan of action on the best ways to promote Smithville and through that, the community’s businesses.  It’s a plan of action that anyone can benefit from knowing and, in addition, acting on.

For example, do you know what movie production is coming to town?  Do you know how hard the chamber and its board and volunteers work to bring one to town?  Do you know how having a movie production team here helps Smithville and your business?  This is just one example of many.  Just think of the many events hosted by the chamber, the city and other organizations. How does your business "fit" into this picture?

There’s a saying that knowledge is power.  With that knowledge of current happenings, you could “leverage” your marketing.  Your business just might complement the town’s activities – otherwise, why would you be in business?  Use what others have put into action to move your business forward.  How does your business fit in with the economic development and tourism plans of the chamber?   In other words, how powerful are you?

Check out some of the activities of your chamber.  Find out what’s going on in this community.  And then put your plan into action.  Remember, it’s possible in Smithville.  For you as well as the chamber.

A Smithville Success Story in Blogging

Last week I spoke about social media marketing, and I need to give some credit.  I recently attended a seminar by Sarah Page of LCRA, and she was invaluable in the ways that I now see social media.  I’ve even started a Twitter page (through FranLan Multimedia) to find out if it’s for me, though it’s much neglected.
I seem unable to find those moments to inform my small public about my lunch eating habits or the fact that I am waiting in line at the grocery store, as exciting as that seems.  Twitter hasn’t found its way into my heart yet.
I did start a Facebook page for franLan.  I did it wrong the first time, as a personal site, before managing to set up a business page. I am in the process of informing people of my move to the business page.  I’ll see how long it will take my “friends” to become “fans” or if my blunder will lose me friends along the way.  Important to know if these kinds of mistakes are “fixable.”  This is a business, after all.
My secondary reason for doing this is that I am curious to see what, if any, response to franLan will occur.  Will franLan become successful beyond my wildest dreams or will it all be personal.  Will I be known as a great writer of local lore or do I see the death knell of my aspiring blog.
I also wanted you to know that I have been greatly inspired by a local blogger I know who is faithful about sitting down at her computer to let her fans know about the happenings in Smithville Texas.  If you want to read a blog that has the small town charm of someone gently swaying in the breeze on their front porch swing, then do read the blog of Sallie Blalock at the Katy House Bed and Breakfast. The link to her site is http://www.katyhouse.com/blog/
This to me is a successful blog.  Sallie doesn’t harp on her rates or features of her rooms.  Instead, she entices you to read more and creates the desire to visit the old railroad town of Smithville, lying along the Colorado River.  It works.  I’ve met people who came to Smithville because of her blog.  And her website does reflect her business well.  That and her personal charm, in person and in print, are all contributing factors to her online success as an author and her raise in room rentals.  Couldn’t ask for more.