At the start of 2020, there was a growing need for Zionsville Chamber of Commerce member companies to expand their reach and share more information with the public, especially at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Allyson Gutwein, the chamber’s executive director, said the chamber believes blogs and podcasts are a great way to provide a platform for small businesses and nonprofits that serve the Zionsville community.
Tricia Phillips, owner of Pampered Pooch Resort & Spa, poses for a photo before taping an episode of Chamber Chats. (Courtesy of Allyson Gutwein)
“Not everyone is able to travel to a marketing event or in person,” Gutwein said. “But if we have options like this, it allows them to always find information about our members.”
According to Gutwein, the Chamber Chat blog, which launched in early 2020, and the Chamber Chat podcast, which debuted in early 2021, have been popular among members. Blog and podcast benefits are included in membership for businesses, nonprofits, and all other chamber members who are above the community support level.
Gutwein said more than 50 episodes have been produced in just over a year, and some episodes have gained popularity with local and international listeners. Podcasts can be streamed on the chamber’s website, Spotify, and many other listening platforms.
“It’s name recognition. It’s brand recognition,” Gutwein said. “It’s about understanding someone’s story so that whenever someone is ready to buy or use a service business, they think of those businesses first, because they already feel that familiarity with they.”
Tricia Phillips, owner of Pampered Pooch Resort & Spa, said she had a meeting with the chamber before her business even opened to discuss all the benefits available to them as members. Phillips was a guest on the “Chamber Chat” podcast on February 28.
“The more we can promote ourselves and our name in the community, the better,” Phillips said.
Phillips noted that his business has been consistently busy since opening in March 2022.
Gutwein said several members recently contacted the chamber to do a podcast episode, and they have a waiting list of about 10 at the moment. She noted that many episodes will be taped on September 30 and air on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the following weeks.
To read the blog or listen to the podcast, visit zionsvillechamber.org.
