From the Presidents Desk

G r a n g e r C h a m b e r o f C o m m e rc e

Greetings! Here we are in 2013, ringing in a new year with a recycled President. It is a privilege to once again be at the helm of the Granger Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is a wonderfully positive reflection of the vibrancy of our small city~ its businesses, community members, and spirit.

509-854-7304

The Chamber has a solid core of membership and activities that has thrived for a number of years and my intent this year, in conjunction with the Board members, is to help it to continue and expand on its strengths. We will greatly miss Gabriel Martinez (due to career change), he was a valuable asset to the Chamber and to Granger as a whole. I welcome, with excitement, new Board members Karen and Pat and wistfully say goodbye to exiting Board members Margarita, Mary, and Lilia. Please, contact me or another board member if you have any comments or suggestions, we are here to serve you. Michelle

www.grangerchamber.net

2013 Membership Renewals~ So Far...

Curtis Willey, Early childhood Center, Chandler Ranches LLC, Granger Historical Society, Yakima Bait Company ,

R A Rasmussen and Sons Inc, Classic Trophies, Cherry Hill Golf Course/ Docs Pizza, Irving Newhouse & Sons inc, Granger Food Bank, H. L. Worden Co., Granger School District, Port of Sunnyside, Rick and Linda Patino, Comfort Inn of Zillah,

Granger Alumni Association, Key Bank of Zillah, Mary Kresse, Lower Valley Credit Union, Chuck and Jo Klarich, US Postal Service,

Margaret Eddie,

Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas Counties, Hagadone Directories, Granger Self Storage, Leos Automotive Service, Cargill

Qt 1 2013

2013 Board of Directors

President -Michelle Lee United States Postal Service Vice President - Curtis Willey Treasurer - Jo Klarich Secretary - Karen Blankenship Yakima Bait Co.

Board Members: Carl Hurlburt Granger Self Storage Nancy Macias US Bank Pat Wise Hagadone Industries

The Business Corner 4 Easy Ways To Improve Your Website Traffic

Whether youre currently a business owner, a customer or just a prospect, most of us can agree that the internet has become a crucial art of our everyday lives.. The internet has become a crucial part of our everyday lives. The internet has markedly changed the way our society functions, socially and professionally. Creating a live website for a business ensures that customers and clients have 24/7 access to that business information. This concept goes hand-in-hand with our need for immediate gratification. Yes, businesses are strongly recommended to have websites in todays world. However, possessing a strong website takes effort, strategy, and someone to maintain it. In 2013, just having a home page isnt enough anymore- its the quality of the website that matters now. Here are some ways to make your site stronger, and see an increase in visits and traffic: 1. Content. Right now, online marketing experts suggest quality over quantity. Do not post simply to post. Post meaningful information- that goes for social media, too. Certain key words and phrases can help increase traffic to your site- be aware of, and use, the phrases and words that attract the most attention and hits. Promote your link on other sites. For example, your home page may have more hits and visits than you expect. Find a site your target market visits often. Work with them and get your name on their site to spread your brand. This will not only funnel more visits to your site, but will attract the right audience as well. Eliminate advertising and promoting in areas on the web that do not generate a lot of traffic. Valuable resources should not be spent in places with little activity. Social Networking. This doesnt just mean a Facebook page with a cute photo. Social media means Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, blogging and more. These are free and easy ways to promote your business, create awareness, and increase traffic to your website. The key is linking your URL with these social networks. Dont make it difficult for them to find you. Physically place the link in front of your audience. Maintain your website. If youre a business owner, and dont have the time keep up with your online presence, hre someone who can. This is important. Creating an online presence is huge and is only going to become more crucial. Keep up with current events, social media, and photos on your site. A trained eye can tell when something is old, recent, or just useless. Take the time, and the small budget, to keep up with something that will no doubt benefit your business in the long run.

2.

3.

4.

If your pursue these tips, and actually follow through, the traffic on your website will increase, creating a chain reaction that will affect search optimization. In plain terms, your home page will be easier to find in a search engine. This is key. Whats the use of having a website if it is buried under 30 pages of your competitors? In order to be placed at the top, make sure that there are no road blocks or glitches to your site.

Member News.
Hagadone Directories Pat Wise 509-260-1151 www.blackphonebook. com Hagadone Directories, Inc. was established in 1987 to publish and distribute costeffective regional telephone directories. It issues directories in Central and Eastern WA, parts of California, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. In 2011 The Association of Directory Publishers (ADP) bestowed its highest distinction on CoPresident Jim Hail at the group's recent annual meeting. The award recognizes outstanding lifetime contributions to the directory publishing industry and to the effectiveness of the Association.

Now you can tell the whole neighborhood what your business has to offer.
With Every Door Direct Mail service from the U.S. Postal Service, you can reach the customers who matter most to your business in nearby neighborhoods. Postage is as low as 14.5 per piece and you don't even need to know names or street addresses. Simply identify the neighborhoods you want to target and your printed piece is delivered to every active address in your target area.

US Postal Service Michelle Lee 509-854-1125 www.usps.com

Yakima Bait Company Karen Blankenship 854-3200 www.yakimabait.com

SINCE 1934, WORDEN'S LURES HAVE BEEN HELPING ANGLERS CATCH FISH. OUR ROOSTER TAIL SPINNER IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS AND PRODUCTIVE LURES AROUND. DEVELOPED BY HOWARD WORDEN IN THE LATE 1950'S, MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF ROOSTER TAILS HAVE SINCE BEEN SOLD AND USED BY ANGLERS TO CATCH EVERYTHING FROM BASS AND TROUT TO PERCH AND PIKE.
Dispute Resolution Center of Yakima and Kittitas Counties Matt Fairbank 509-453-8949 www.drcyakima.org

The DRC is offering a 1.5 day workshop on Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills for the workplace. The workshop will take place in Yakima on Feb. 13/14. The cost is $200. A discounted price is available when 3 or more employees from one business attend. A flyer announcing the training can be found on their website at www.drcyakima.org.

Quotables

Football combines two of the worst things in American life. It is violence punctuated by

Quotables

committee meetings- George Will Abraham Lincoln- No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar. In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these- Paul Harvey Winston Churchill- Diplomacy is the art of telling painful truths without giving offense.

Granger Chamber of Commerce PO Box 250 Granger WA 98932-0250

Calendar Feb 6 - General Meeting Feb 14 - Valentines Day Feb 20 - Board Meeting Mar 6 - General Meeting Mar 9 - Toppenish Chamber Auction and Dinner Mar 17 - Granger Chamber Banquet and Auction Mar 20 - Board Meeting Apr 3 - General Meeting Apr 17 - Board Meeting

Saturday March 17 ---5 pm doors open ---6 pm Dinner---7 pm awards and entertainment Come celebrate the best of Granger!
Student, city and school employee, busi-

Annual Chamber Banquet and Auction

ness, and volunteer achievements are honored at this important community event. Enjoy an evening of camaraderie, good food, and entertainment with your family and friends. To buy tickets, $20, or offer auction items, contact Karen at 509-728-2173
Granger Legislator contact information (please go to their website to connect via email): U. S. Senator Maria Cantwell 311 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 202-224-3441 U. S. Senator Patty Murray 448 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510 202-224-2621

State Senator Jim Honeyford PO Box 40415 Olympia WA 98504 360-786-7684 State Representative Bruce Chandler PO Box 40600 Olympia 360-786-0600 State Representative David Taylor PO Box 40600 Olympia WA 98504 360-786-7874