Reaching Clients on Local and National Holidays: Tips for Siouxland Small Businesses

This February and March present two great opportunities for small businesses in the Siouxland area to reach their clients: Valentine’s Day on February 14th, and Nebraska Statehood Day on March 1st. This year, Nebraska will celebrate its 150th anniversary, or sesquicentennial. Take advantage of the buzz around these holidays, as well as local events, to boost traffic to your business!

Here are a few ideas to inspire you:  

Run a promotion tied to Valentine’s Day or Statehood Day 

Send out mailers or emails with a discount or freebie in honor of the holiday.

Run a social media campaign Encourage customers to post a photo on your social media account what Nebraska statehood means to them. Pick a winner who receives a prize from your business. Valentine’s Day stories are also popular, and you don’t have to limit stories to romantic couples! People love an opportunity to share photos of their pets or favorite local spots - Valentine’s to furry friends, Siouxland, or even your business itself are all fun ways to get your clients engaged in the spirit of competition. 

  

Host an event that coincides with existing celebrations

Throw a party

Right now, many people experience a lull between the busy holiday season and the beginning of summer fun. Giving your clients a reason to get out during February and March makes an impression. Throw a special celebration for Statehood Day on March 1st, or plan Valentine’s Day parties for couples or singles.

Hold special date events

Most couples look for new and fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Special menus, paint nights, karaoke, live music, poetry readings, a new local art exhibit, and more all offer something fun and interesting.

Tie your event to a charitable cause

February is also American Heart Month. With heart disease affecting many Americans, and heart themes already in place due of Valentine’s Day, many customers are happy to take the opportunity to support fundraisers for heart health this month, whether they are products or events. Or, hold a fundraiser for a local organization in honor of Nebraska’s sesquicentennial!

Put yourself on the map for Statehood Day

Nebraska Statehood’s website contains a full list of upcoming local events for the sesquicentennial. The NE150 Challenge, in which participants complete 150 miles of fitness activities, could inspire people to walk, run, or bike to your business if you offer an incentive for NE150 participants.

Are you running promotions for these holidays this year? Do you have other ideas to share? Leave us a note in the comments below!

South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce strives to promote and advance the commercial trade, quality of life, and civic spirit of the South Sioux City, Nebraska area. Please visit our website to learn more about what we do and to find out about becoming a member. You can also reach us by phone at (402) 494-1626.

Winter Activities in South Sioux City

In the cold winter months, it can be hard to think of fun and enjoyable things to do outside. Despite the chill, there are plenty of exciting events coming up within the next few weeks in our beautiful South Sioux City. Save the dates and we hope to see you there!

Chamber Coffee Hour

Happening every Friday, January 13th and the 20th and the 27th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., this event poses as a great opportunity to warm up with a cup of coffee while networking with other professionals.

2017 City Area Chamber Annual Banquet & 2017 Dessert Auction

If you haven’t already registered, make sure to mark your calendar for the Annual Banquet, taking place at the Marina Inn Hotel on January 20th. It’s going to be a night you’ll never forget, filled with tasty food and great company.

You don’t want to miss this opportunity to bring one of your favorite dessert recipes and have it auctioned off! Starting at 5:30 p.m. on January 20th, these desserts must serve at least eight Nebraska-sized servings, and the dessert with the highest bid will win an award!

The Classic 99.5 Outdoor Show in Cooperation with The River City Angler’s Cabin Fever Swap Meet

Do you love the outdoors? Come and join us for a weekend of hunting, fishing, golf, bicycles, boats, RV’s, golf carts, tackle and a whole lot more! The show will go from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday, January 28th and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m on Sunday, January 29th. Plus “Ladies Lane” with great shopping!

How could one possibly stay home when there is so much going on in the South Sioux City? As the New Year starts, it’s a great time to meet new people, explore more of our city and create memories. For more information, you can visit the South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce’s website or give them a call at (402)-494-1626.

Important Tax Tips for Businesses

Simply put, we all have to pay taxes, whether we like it or not. If you are a business owner, filing your taxes can get especially complicated. Good news is...it’s not too late to make some smart tax moves for this year. Deciding on the right strategy for you and your business depends on your income, as well as a number of other personal circumstances, so you might want to  consult a tax professional.

Deferring Income Taxes

Deferring income taxes relies on legal strategies that let you pay taxes in a future year on money that you earn this year. Just about anyone can do this with help from a tax professional. Deferring your taxes lets you keep your money longer, and the longer you have your money, the more opportunities you have to put it to work for you. Perhaps investing your money instead of turning it over to the government right away could do wonders for your business.

Writing Off Expenses

There are many aspects of a business that can be deducted from your taxes: mileage, insurance, supplies, entertainment, etc. Take advantage of them!!! Take a look at a dozen deductions for your business. Don’t cheat yourself out of these, no matter how successful you become (or currently are)! If you have made a charitable donation, that can be deducted as well. And there still is time to donate to your favorite charity...and write it off. Take every legal deduction you can for yourself, and for your business.

Carry Forward the Health Credit

Businesses that employ fewer than 10 full-time employees with average wages under $25,000 per person get the most benefit. The healthcare tax credit is offered on a sliding scale to small businesses. Talk to your tax professional to see if you’re eligible, or use form 8941 to calculate your eligibility for the credit.  If your business did not owe taxes in that year, you may be able to carry the credit forward. If a remainder of the tax premium exists, you can claim business expenses against it.

The South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting growth and prosperity to our local businesses. We want you to be part of our community and join today!

Learn more about joining at the South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce or call us at (402) 494-1626 to see how we can help you grow your business through networking and other activities.  

Marketing Opportunities for this Holiday Season

Black Friday might receive a lot of hype, but before there can be a Black Friday there must be a Thanksgiving. Make sure to capitalize on the calendar by creating a marketing plan for this Holiday season and especially the days leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here are some ideas for your small business this Holiday season.  

1. Hype End-of-Season Products

The fall season means pumpkin this and apple that while Christmas tends to smell like cinnamon, pine, and sugar cookies. With so many Thanksgiving meals coming up, create an incentive to use these soon-to-be phased out products. Whether they are pumpkin pies, autumn-scented candles, or apple cookie mix they can be brought as gifts or as desserts.

2. Make Life Easier for Hosts

Some entertainers think that hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner sounds like a fun idea… until it comes time to cook, clean, and decorate. Anything that you or your business can remove from the giant plate of chores will be beneficial to these hosts. Maybe your catering service can bring a prepared Thanksgiving or Christmas meal to the home. Maybe your rental service can rent a giant dining room table to fit the cousins you didn’t even know you had. Maybe your maid service can come make the house spotless before the guests arrive. Regardless, milk these services and market them to hosts and entertainers. Consider a limited-time sales promotion ending on Thanksgiving Day.

3. Be Thankful for Customers

Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks. Make sure to send a targeted email or direct mail piece to your customers with a special offer. This will make them feel special and get them to stop in your store before the crazy Black Friday sales start.

4. Host an Event

This event can be free depending on your businesses size, budget, and generosity. Regardless of the budget,  it will be a great way to build relationship with customers and build morale within your staff during this Holiday season. This warm invitation can be sent out via email or direct mail piece. It can be included in the promotion mentioned in Tip 3.

South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce strives to help our local small businesses succeed. We offer helpful tips on networking and other actives. Our office is located at 4401 Dakota Avenue in South Sioux City. To find out more about our services offered to small businesses, call (402) 494-1626 or visit our website. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

The Importance of Registering to Vote

It feels like the election has been dominating the news for quite some time. The upcoming election is November 8th, which means we’re less than three weeks away from casting our ballots! Voting is an important part of being an American citizen, and an opportunity for your voice to be heard by voting for the candidates you believe best represent you. In order to vote, though, you must first be registered.

Voter registration is the process by which citizens and residents register in order to be authorized and allowed to vote in elections. If you need to register to vote, visit Vote.USA.gov. Depending on your state’s voter registration rules, the site can help you:

• Register online. This is available for 31 states (including Nebraska) plus the District of Columbia.
• Download the National Mail Voter Registration Form. You can fill it out onscreen and print the completed form, or print the blank form and fill it out by hand. Remember to sign the form before mailing it to the location listed for your state.
• Find guidance for states and territories with different registration procedures.

You can also register to vote in person at your state or local election office. Other places you can register to vote in person include the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), armed recruitment centers, and public assistance offices.

Still on the fence about voting this upcoming election? Don’t be. It’s important to remember that when voting, you’re not just voting for President. There are more candidates on the ballot than just President of the United States. The president’s power is limited if his or her party doesn’t have control of the Senate or House of Representatives. There are also important state and local officeholders on the ballot. Not voting in an election doesn’t just affect the presidential race, but it affects those down ticket as well. In order for democracy to work effectively and be representative of the people, the people need to get out and be heard. That means voting!

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day in South Sioux City

Mexican Independence Day is a holiday observed on September 16th that celebrates the “cry of independence,” which started the Mexican revolt against Spanish colonialism. September 16th is a national public holiday in Mexico, so banks, schools, government offices, and many businesses are closed in observance of the day.

The “cry of independence” is more commonly known as the Cry of Dolores, or Grito de Dolores in Spanish. A priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla hosted secret gatherings in his home to discuss whether it was better to obey or to revolt against a tyrannical government, as he defined the Spanish colonial government in Mexico. Hidalgo was in the small town of Dolores on September 15th, 1810, with other rebel leaders when they learned their conspiracy had been discovered. Hidalgo ran to the church, calling for all the people to gather, and from the pulpit called upon them to revolt. The people of Dolores – a poor and small group – all shouted in agreement. On the morning of September 16th, 1810, Hidalgo called upon the remaining locals to join him. Most did, and Hidalgo had a mob of around 600 men within minutes. The Cry of Dolores is what sparked the revolution, and is why September 16th is celebrated as Mexican Independence Day despite Mexico not gaining its independence for another 11 years. Although things didn’t end well for Hidalgo (he was captured, tried, and executed by the Spanish army ten months after his rebellion), he is remembered today as the “father of his country” and a great hero in the war for Mexican Independence.

Mexicans typically celebrate their Independence Day with fireworks, parties, food, music, and dancing. Flags, flowers, and decorations in red, white and green – the colors of the Mexican flag – are displayed all over cities and towns in Mexico. Whistles and horns are blown and confetti is thrown to celebrate this festive occasion. "Viva Mexico" or "Viva la independencia” are shouted amidst the crowds on this day, words believed to be declared by Hidalgo during his Grito de Dolores.

We invite residents of South Sioux City and visiting guests to join us for the Siouxland Multicultural Celebration of Independence! This event will take place September 17th and 18th and will be a celebration with traditional food, friendly soccer games, and Independence Proclamation by the Mexican Consul. For more information on the Multicultural Celebration of Independence, please visit our website:

http://visitsouthsiouxcity.com/event/siouxland-multicultural-celebration-of-independence/

Activities and Tips for Back to School Season

It’s hard to believe, but summer is already winding down! Some students (and parents) are eagerly anticipating going back to school, while others are trying to fit in some last-minute summer fun and recreation. Either way, back to school season is here and a little planning and preparation goes a long way to make the transition more fun and easy. Here are a few tips to help you through the busy final days of summer.

• Shop the sales. Back-to-school shopping is an expense many parents have come to dread. But it doesn’t have to break the bank. Check weekly store ads for the best deals on what’s on your particular student’s list. Many parents realize, when they go through their home they already have some office supplies lying around that their child can use for school. After school begins and school supplies go on clearance, stock up for next year on basics you know they’ll always need, such as pencils, notebooks, and folders.
• Set the clock. If you have a late sleeper, start getting them up a little earlier each day. A couple days before school starts, have them wake up at the time they’ll have to wake up during the school year. Likewise, start having students go to bed earlier each night. With the days getting shorter, it won’t be too difficult. Late summer nights are often part of vacation, but it will help students get in the school routine and start the year off well rested if they get on their school year sleep schedule.  
• Practice the routine. Many schools have a supply drop-off day or a back-to-school social, where students can see their classroom and meet their new teacher. This is a great time to practice the exact route they will take to school as well as drop-off and pick-up procedures. Practicing the “getting ready for school” morning routine a few days before school starts is also a great way to get them back in the habit of school year expectations, and can help answer any questions (or soothe nerves) they have. It’s also a good time for you as a parent to notice if there are any glitches or problem areas in the morning--before the first day!

For more great back-to-school activities that help get students in the back-to-school mindset, check out these teacher-tested methods!

 

Do you have a favorite back-to-school activity you’d like to suggest for Siouxland residents and visitors? Let us know below! South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is dedicated to promoting business, tourism, and recreation in greater Siouxland. For more information, follow our blog or visit our website today.