Learned a new word at last week’s meeting: “Infotain.”  It’s a verb, as in, “When marketing on social media, the best kind of content to create is informative and entertaining. You need to infotain your audience.”

Guest speaker Ashley Mumm.

This, and other tips, were provided by our speaker, Ashley Mumm, during the second part of the two-part series on “Effective Use of Social Media.”  And, as her first presentation visual said, THE WORLD HAS CHANGED.

Indeed it has. For example, who begins a presentation by introducing their dogs? Ashley did.  We got to meet her “office crew”–her dogs, Sookie and Hercules. We were infotained!

(Just for the record, at left is my “office crew”:  my dog Siri. But she mostly sleeps instead of helping me.)

The main part of Ashley’s talk focused on two areas: Branding 101 and Marketing Today.

BRANDING 101

According to Ashley, your brand is the promise you make to your customers (or that is made for you). It is the value you offer as seen by the customer. It is how your business is perceived, which will make or break your success. Your logo, website, your services and product are all part of your brand.

MARKETING TODAY

Yes, the world has changed and the biggest difference today, said Ashley, is 2-way communication. Customers have different expectations today. Are you keeping up with them? Some things you’ll have to accept going forward:

  • The internet is here to stay –86% of Americans use it
  • Millennials are here to stay–replacing retiring Baby Boomers as the generation in charge
  • “Nexters” are here to stay, too
  •  Facebook has over two billion active users a month
  • 79% percent of online adults use Facebook. And according to Pew Research, they use it at least once day
  • Your target market and competitors are on Facebook, even if you’re not

What you can do to keep up:

–Have a marketing plan with a 6-month expiration date

–Do things with intention. Remember the 80/20 rule: 80% of effects come from 20% of the cause

–Start today. Things are moving really fast

–Keep it up. Be active; be present

–Don’t reinvent the wheel. Learn from others and from your own mistakes

–Do research. The government does a lot of it and you can use it

In the Q&A after her presentation, Ashley addressed the issue of metrics. She suggested monitoring “cost to make” and “cost to distribute,” as well as revenues. On Facebook, monitor likes, exposures and shares.  She also said you need both a Facebook page and a website.

Ashley gave some tips for defining your audience. Create a “brand persona” by defining the characteristics of your audience. Translate those into demographics. Then give your audience a face. Maybe even use a photo to remind you of the typical audience member. Write your promotional materials towards that face.

Don’t forget to check your email for the free marketing tips package Ashley so graciously is sharing with us.  If you need some marketing help, you can reach her at Mumm-Marketing.com.

AUGGIE GETS A SURPRISE…

Auggie Gonzales got some great surprise news from his friend, Vida Ice.

Vida Ice and her husband Darryl, who represent Arbonne International health-oriented products, attended our meeting to make a surprise announcement: that Auggie Gonzales has been named “2017 Volunteer of the Year” by the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce.

According to Vida, this award was given to an individual who demonstrated involvement and enthusiasm by giving time and service to a variety of organizations and events to support the community. The individual had to show commitment and volunteerism in community projects and is a role model and mentor to others, and should demonstrate compassion, humility and nondiscrimination. Following are some excerpts from his nomination:
  • Voluntary community service over recent and past years:
    • Noon Rotary member
    • Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce member
    • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Committee member
    • Impact Pros member
    • Christian Chamber of Commerce
  • Area of inspiration or outstanding performance:  Auggie Gonzales is an exemplary individual who is an outstanding citizen with a genuine interest in rising up the next generation of leaders and conscientious citizens. While he is involved in many non-profit endeavors to serve his community, his servant attitude carries over into his business practices as well. At the Newberg Urgent Care, he fills a need for quality, affordable healthcare, but he also provides a means for young individuals to volunteer, shadow the clinicians, and provide valuable mentorship to youth interested in healthcare careers.

Congratulations, Auggie!

…AND GRANT GETS AN AWARD

Mike Caruso, left, presented Grant Gerke with a Paul Harris award for being a “Plus 5,” which means Grant has given at least $6,000 to the Rotary Foundation.  Wow. Congratulations and thank you, Grant!  Mike also mentioned that of the 74 clubs in our District 5100, our club is #2 in number of Paul Harris members, with 13. He challenged us to go to #1!

GUESTS

Our club’s first ever “Friend of Rotary,” Ann Dolan, joined us.

Shaina Ferrar from Love Inc. and Nick Hoogendam both attended a week ago and joined us again last week.

Visiting Rotarian from the Morning Club, Darcey McAllister, was a guest.

Darryl and Vida Ice brought an exciting announcement.

STUFF

Denise Bacon announced the next Auction Committee meeting will be Jan. 24th, right after our lunch meeting. The agenda will be to review the information and ideas we come up with at this week’s meeting.

Jim McMaster mentioned Rotary International President Ian Riseley’s 2017-2018 challenge that every Rotarian plant a tree by Earth Day (April 22, 2018). We will have an opportunity for club members to meet the challenge with an upcoming service project: planting trees at the new Aquatic Center. More info coming soon….

Jim Hirte announced his 50th wedding anniversary. Congrats to Jim and his wife!

Beth Pent asked for help finding affordable housing for a new receptionist at Attrell’s. If you know of a place with rent of about $700/month, please contact Beth.