I have been anxious to jump into the world of blogging for a while but didn’t know which approach would be best for the Chamber. The Chamber has had a blog on its site and, periodically, there would be items posted on it with no reaction from the community. Was anyone even noticing it?

Thus, began the long discussion in my head and research into what seems to work for other organizations. I came up with this…there is no secret formula that works across the board for all organizations. That didn’t help me solve this dilemma. So, I asked myself some questions to figure it out instead.

Should we keep doing what we have always done and cut and paste copies of upcoming events? No, I didn’t think that was working effectively.  We do a great job of getting information through other methods of communication. Our blog should be different.

Should we try to look for articles that could help our members solve a particular problem? Sure we could try that too, but I am not confident that would help build our relationship with them.

Maybe, we could try blogging about some of the behind-the-scenes happenings here at the Chamber? Yes! That just might be the way to go. It would give our members and folks in the community an opportunity to see some of the things we do every day that isn’t seen from the outside. A look into the Chamber from another perspective. Candid thoughts. The human side of the Chamber.

So, as I dip my toe into the blogging pool, I ask for your patience and feedback. I am sure this is going to be exciting!

Every month one of my functions as VP of Marketing & Communications is to layout our Chamber newsletter, The Outlook. When I began here at the Chamber, there was discussion of making changes to the newsletter and moving towards a cover that looked more like a magazine than a traditional newsletter. Small changes have been made and we have finally arrived at just that over the last few months.

Now, I am faced with the monthly challenge of coming up with a cover image that will capture people’s attention and make them want to pick it up, open it and keep it on their desk or perhaps an office table for others to read as well. After all, our goal is to get information out to as many people as possible. We want folks to know what we have done and what we are working on in coming months.

So, as I type this, the August newsletter is in the mail and on its way to you and I am confident it will catch your eye. And now, before it has even reached your mailbox, I am challenged with coming up with an equally as eye catching image for September cover. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments on our newsletter.

If you want to see the evolution of the cover over the past 6 months click on the link.

The Outlook Newsletter