Thank you to everyone that attended the Chamber 411 last week on the basics of LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube via the Chamber, sponsored by ComRes Industries, Inc.. We know there were lots of people that couldn't make it, so we have posted the full PowerPoint below. There is a presentation set as a video that you can pause and re-start at any time. There are ten second delays for each slide, but you can pause it to take notes or utilize the click-thru's. There is also a version as a PDF that you can open/download as well. Also listed below are the links to the videos that were played in the presentation on 'How to Pin an item on Pinterest', "How to upload a video to YouTube and "The Importance Social Media". Also, we have posted some PDF's below that you are welcome to download and utilize. They are from various sources (HubSpot, Marketo, MarketingProfs, etc), but are all aimed at empowering small to medium sized business in creating rich, conversion-ready online material.

Here is our latest video on how to pin an item in Pinterest. This is a short and sweet video that explains how to add a pin to one of your Boards. Pinterest is a great way to increase the search engine optimization for your business.

Here is our quick video on how to upload a video to YouTube.

This the link to the YouTube video that was shown during the presentation on the importance of social media marketing. I'ts a terrific video and only about 5 minutes long. http://youtu.be/QUCfFcchw1w
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Click here to watch the presentation as a video (There is no audio and you can pause it as you see fit)
Click here to open or download a PDF of the presentation (The video's within the presentation will not work in this version. However, the referenced videos are listed above)
Here are some of the other helpful documents and templates -

Your Guide to Facebook Business Page Timelines

How to use Pinterest for Business

Marketing for Facebook

How to use Facebook for Business

Powerpoint Template on how to create an infographic

Our next Chamber 411- Taking, giving and optimizing leads will be held on October 23rd. For more information on how you can expand your business contacts and network with the best and brightest businessmen and women in Orange County, visit http://www.wochamber.com Facil.itating Opportunity for over 40 years.

Here is our latest video on how to pin an item in Pinterest. This is a short and sweet video that explains how to add a pin to one of your Boards. Pinterest is a great way to increase the search engine optimization for your business.

For more information on how you can expand your business contacts and network with the best and brightest businessmen and women in Orange County, visit www.wochamber.com. Facilitating Opportunity for over 40 years.

- June 27th Chamber 411 -

How to Market your Business using the 

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

We had a great turnout at this week's Chamber 411, sponsored by Lek Technology Consultants. The presenters, Jaclyn Whiddon of The Whiddon Group and McLean Alley, the Chamber's Director of MarCom shared with the packed room how to insure that you are utilizing your Chamber investment to its fullest potential by integrating it into your marketing strategy. 

The topics covered were: 

• Importance of Branding Your Business 
• How to easily use your free Chamber Microsite
• How to ‘work it’ at a Business Expo 
• Sept. Small Business Expo and using the database to market your presence
• “Plugging in” - Ambassadorship, Committees and being on the Board 
• Guest articles in e-pubs, e-pub advertising and using the online calendar
• Drafting Press Releases and how to submit them to local media outlets 
• Sponsorships at events: (in-kind - product placement - financial - etc.)

Below you will find a few pictures from the session. In addition there is also a PDF version of the presentation for anyone that couldn't attend or would like a refresher on the information. 

The next Chamber 411 will be August 29th at the West Orange Chamber Office. The topic covered will be ' Integrating Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter into your Business". RSVP online or email our Marketing Department for more information.

Download the June 27th Chamber 411 PowerPoint Presentation (pdf)

West Orange Chamber of Commerce's June Chamber 411 Session

Member Blog Post -

Our No. 1 Health Problem — Stress the silent killer

 by Nasrin Lakhani, B.S., M.N.M.,

Director of Biofit Health Center

8917-23 Conroy-Windermere Road,

Orland, FL 32835

407-992-9955 ● 407-217-6977

www.BiofitHealthCenter.com

If a country’s military was no longer able to protect its citizens, the chaos would be unimaginable. Stress creates similar chaos in the body uncontrolled by an equally compromised the immune system. The nature of stress today is chronic and tends to exhaust one’s system, causing myriad symptoms. Unfortunately, the body reacts in the same archaic “fight or flight” way, releasing cortisol which in this case is detrimental to one’s health. The prolonged release of cortisol can actually decrease the number of brain cells, impair memory and affect blood pressure, making it more likely for a person to have a heart attack or stroke.

Stressful challenges are part of everyday life — more so today, with multiple demands in a 24-hour day, which is further complicated by financial and job stress. Stress may be impossible to avoid, but there are skills a person can learn to reduce the damage it causes long-term if left alone.

Biofeedback training involves learning skills to harness the power of the mind to control the body’s reaction to stress. A special hi-tech monitoring device conveys the body’s physiological signals, such as skin temperature, heart rate, muscle tension, breathing pattern and sweat gland activity, in real time. For patients, this device acts as a kind of sixth sense that allows one to “see” or “hear” activity inside the body. It provides awareness of the changes that occur during a stress reaction and allows a person to develop strategies to control them. This information is used to teach patients skills to handle everyday stress; and along with a therapist’s professional guidance, patients are able to make positive changes and improve general health and performance.

Some of the skills taught through biofeedback therapy are diaphragmatic breathing, skin warming, progressive muscle relaxation and mindful relaxation. These are known to provide relief from most stress-related symptoms, including migraines and headaches, chronic pain, panic disorders, test anxiety, speech anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome and high blood pressure.

Biofeedback may be used to improve health or performance; and the physiological changes often occur in conjunction with changes to thoughts, emotions and behavior. Eventually, these changes can be maintained with the techniques learned, without the need of any equipment. The techniques enable an individual to develop a stronger mind-body connection that is useful for providing stress relief. 

Stina D’Uva & Krista Carter with the West Orange Chamberof Commerce facilitated a meeting on Friday with Congressman Daniel Webster and 5 local Small Business Chamber Members on the negative effects of the Internet Sales Tax Loophole.  Jerry Pegram of Tri & Run of West Orange, Dennis Jones of Winter Garden Wheel Works, Walter Toole of ACEHardware, Ann Whittle of Trophies Unlimited and Wallace Wilson of Ms. Bee'sPopcorn & Candy Shoppe all shared with Congressman Webster that a sale is a sale, no matter whether it happens online or on Main Street and exempting online retailers from collecting sales taxes puts local brick and mortar business who invest in our community at a disadvantage.  

5 Ways to Get Involved with the Chamber

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce allows you to connect, grow, and succeed through a deep variety of networking events, a powerful business advocacy program, and various leadership programs with leading universities across the region.

But what does this really mean? And what’s the best way to find out – and reap the full benefits? There are many ways to get started, but here are five you should consider today:

• Attend an event: The Chamber offers 100+ events annually, from a large speaker series to smaller, more informal networking events throughout Orange County. They’re a great way not only to network, network, and (yes, even more) network, but also learn best practices that’ll help you both professionally and personally. Our events are tailored towards all business sizes, with something for everyone. Visit the Events Calendar, and pick 1-2 in the coming month or so.
• Sign up in our e-mail communications: This is the best way to keep informed on all things Chamber – from our programs, advocacy efforts, and periodical updates from our President & CEO, Stina D'Uva.  They’re your resource, built for you, and customized towards your areas of interest. Click here to sign up or view our archived publications online.
• Networking Group/Committee/Ambassador/Board: The Chamber offers multiple ways for your company to become more involved. Our Networking Groups, Committees, Ambassadors and Board of Directors are always looking for new Members. If you are interested in showcasing your talents, helping to shape the future of West Orange Count and surrounding yourself with some of Central Florida's most successful individuals, contact the Chamber office today.
• Sponsor a Chamber Event: Sponsoring a West Orange Chamber event is your key to exposure, increased branding and marketing for your business. Sponsorships are available in various denominations and as in-kind.   If you’d like to get involved with sponsorship of a Chamber event, and get your business promoted online, in news print, via mailers and speaking opportunities, feel free to contact the Chamber Vice President.
• Follow us on social media: You’re already reading the blog, so you’re on the way. The Chamber’s social network is the most expansive among the region’s business community. Through Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, or YouTube, we’re continually keeping you updates on what matters most; whether its Chamber updates or a breakdown of the top business stories throughout Central Florida.  

Best of all (and something many don’t realize): Every employee at a Chamber member company is eligible to reap the benefits of membership.

 So what are you waiting for?

We're here to Educate, Advocate and Facilitate

Here at the West Orange Chamber, our main focuses are to educate our Members, advocate for their businesses and facilitate opportunities that will help to enrich the business climate in central Florida. This blog will frequently be updated with educational pieces that will range from social media, pinterest, basic photo editing, press release writing, etc.

Enter your email address in the bar above to be alerted via email when a new blog is posted. If you have topics that you would like us to discuss, whether they be specifically for Chamber Members, the business community at large or just general business knowledge - email them to our Marketing Director.

Today's post is a quick video that will help your business add your brand to a picture or photo. Imagine you have some great photos from an event and you want to post them to your website, blog or Facebook page. The best way to increase your brand awareness and make the photo more dynamic is add your logo and some additional text ON the photo itself. You don't need expensive photo editing software, all you need is PicMonkey.

PicMonkey is a great online tool for tweaking and updating your photos. You can easily create an advertisement for your business or an event, that can be placed in one of the Chamber's e-publications using PicMonkey. Our e-publication pricing is very reasonable many of our Investment levels offer complimentary ad's included in your Membership.

Picmonkey has a free version, which has TONS of functions, or there is an option to upgrade for a very low monthly price. The short video below shows you how to take a regular photo and truly make it your own. However, keep in mind, that this short clip doesn't even scratch the surface of everything that PicMonkey can do.

We will post more clips in the coming weeks highlighting PicMonkey and how it can be an inexpensive and helpful tool to help brand your business. To join our nearly 1,000 Members, and grow your business with the help of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce call us 407-656-1304.