Tag Archives: Chamber oF Commerce

Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce Gets LinkedIn

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: April M. Williams

Cyberlife Tutors

847-207-7412

april@cyberlifetutors.com

Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce Gets LinkedIn

Social Networking Connects Business Community

ALGONQUIN, IL, July 1, 2010 – Networking means time, often taking us away from our business and family. Most business owners face the same problem. How can I be more effective in my networking to build my business?

Recognizing the need to connect with others to build business, twenty members of the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce expanded their business networking skills with the “I’m on LinkedIn, What’s Next?” LinkedIn class. The session led by April M. Williams of CyberLife Tutors was co-sponsored by the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce and Shah Center for Corporate Training.

“The enthusiasm of the class was contagious!” said Barbara Mikula, Branch Manager at Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corp. “We are so excited to be able to connect with other chamber members to promote growth in our businesses in a relaxed and fun environment!”

The “I’m on LinkedIn, What’s Next?” session provides business owners with the tools to create a LinkedIn presence that attracts clients. It focuses on updating your LinkedIn profile to make a positive first impression.

Monica Hamann, Branch Manager at McHenry Savings Bank in Richmond, had this to say about the session: “I liked it a lot, great marketing tool. The class was very informative and easy to follow.”

About CyberLife Tutors:

CyberLife Tutors, located in Algonquin, Illinois, specializes in integrating social networking with traditional marketing for McHenry County businesses. April’s book, Social Networking Throughout Your Career is available on Amazon.com.

More information on upcoming classes available at the following link: http://www.cyberlifetutors.com/blog/?p=606

EDITORS: If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with April M. Williams, please contact April at 847-207-7412 or email April@cyberlifetutors.com.

Networking For a Job, Building Network Connections Or New Business

Networking is an effective way to support your job search and career goals. To get the most out of your networking, understand your goals and create a plan to achieve them. By making a conscious decision to create and execute your networking plan you will see greater results.

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Creative Commons License photo credit: Ramsay2

  1. First understand what results you want to get from your networking activities. Are you networking because you are in job search mode? Are you looking to build your network to expand your career horizons? Is your goal to identify strategic partners? Is your networking objective to find customers? By understanding what you want to get out of your networking activities, you can best determine where to spend your efforts.
  2. Next determine where you will find the people you want to network with. Look for professional organizations, Chamber of Commerce, community groups, trade shows and educational events which would be of interest to your ideal networking contacts. Research these opportunities to understand the attendance levels and typical attendee. Determine the cost to attend the event including any membership dues.
  3. Set a goal for the number of contacts you will meet during the event. By spending 5 to 7 minutes with each contact, you could plan to meet ten people in an hour. By the end of the event you will have a sample of the attendees. You can now determine if attending this event brought you closer to achieving your networking goals.

By creating a plan for your networking activities you will have a better chance to achieve your career and networking goals. Taking the time to plan your next networking activity may take more effort before the event though your networking results will be more rewarding.

How to Follow a Twitter List

Twitter lists are a way for Twitter users to group other Twitter accounts together. How might you use this feature? A shopping center could create a list to promote each other. A Chamber of Commerce might use a list to follow and cross promote other local businesses.

I created a Twitter list of McHenry county, Illinois businesses to follow and promote what is happening in our area. Since this list began, I learned about many new companies and services I was not aware of.

Another benefit of Twitter lists is you can view the recent tweets of the account holders without actually following each of these accounts.

Here is a recent blog posting about the McHenry County Business Twitter list.

You can see all recent tweets from these McHenry County businesses on a single page.

How are you using the Twitter list feature?

Here is a short video on how to follow a Twitter list.

Benefits of Volunteering

Talking to clients this week, I heard a common thread. They told me volunteering is the best form of in person networking. Two organization were recommended as the best places for business people to volunteer. These groups are Toastmasters International and the local Chamber of Commerce.

Toastmasters International with local chapters around the globe is a place where you can build your public speaking skills while you network with and get to know those in your neighborhood. I was at an event last night where 1 out of 3 of the attendees were Toastmasters. Leadership positions and mentoring positions are open at the chapter, district, regional and global level.

Simon Phipps
Creative Commons License photo credit: LornaJane.net

Many cities and villages have a Chamber of Commerce to support their business owners. By stepping up to a leadership position, you have an opportunity to get to know your fellow members.

In both these groups, you have an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership skills and build your network. Check out your local group to learn more.

Richmond Spring Grove Chamber LinkedIn Class

Watch for information on the upcoming Richmond Spring Grove Chamber Mixer dinner and LinkedIn training event.

Thank you to the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce for inviting me in to talk about using social networking in your business and community. We had a full house for the event overlooking the scenic country club. It was fun to connect up with the owners of businesses I have visited through the years.

Many of you asked for a follow up session and we listened. We are planning a June dinner with hands on LinkedIn training co-sponsored by the Richmond Spring Grove Chamber and the Shah Center in McHenry, Illinois. The event will include dinner, networking and hands on training in the computer lab. Before the session, create a free LinkedIn profile then bring your user ID and password to the class.

Contact the Chamber at 815.678.7742 for more information or to register.