Marketing Committee report
March 2009
Submitted by Scott Dunlop, Chair
The committee has been focused exclusively on the area guide
and website since last meeting in January to set goals for the upcoming year
and discuss some of the new member benefit programs (affiliate programs).
Highlights:
- Website
homepage is up and running –with excellent feedback. Until banner ads are
up and running - New page edits will be handled in house (budget/cost
issue). We are planning a trial run of member banner ads in April (delayed
due to vacation schedules), based upon recommendations from committee that
our first “beta” subjects collect information on their results for a
reduced fee, and reduced run of their ad. This information will help us
target and sell a full program, and be able to be packaged with our
advertising/marketing offerings.
- Google
Ads in slow season are generating on average (on only two of at least 10
possible pages) $6-8 / day. It is reasonable to believe that a full year
could conservatively bring in $5,000 with more possible. Every “click” on
the main page Google ads brings in money to the Chamber.
- Area guide – a few contributors fell
behind on their deliverables, as did a few advertisers, but the guide is
on a target delivery date for Mid-May. Office still has several thousand
of last year’s guide available, and the online PDF version of the guide is
prominently available online for review and download (homepage link). As
both the membership base and advertisers are down significantly, the distribution
program will emphasize local and regional, and low cost methods.
- Affiliate
programs – offered as free member benefits and have potential to generate
$$$ for the Chamber. Susan is up to date on where we are with the various
programs.