Claim your day! Even the weird ones

I think I’ve mentioned it a few times. Well, maybe more like two or three times. Sept. 10 through 14 is National Chamber of Commerce Week. And I may have mentioned that to honor this week, the chamber is hosting an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We’re inviting all nonmember businesses in the area to come on over to find out just exactly how the chamber can work with you to get more exposure and more business for your company. Now I know that sounds like more fun than you could possibly handle, so we’re trying to sweeten the pot by offering up refreshments and the chance to win raffle prizes. And if you come around noon-ish, we’d love to introduce you to some of our members who can share their chamber experience with you. So, I think by now you’ve got my point, and I hope I’ll get to meet you on the twelfth.

In the meantime, there are plenty of strange and wacky holidays in September you may be able to repurpose for yourself to help you get some additional business or at least spice up your Facebook page. But first we must rule out all the really “out there” ones. The 16th is Collect Rocks Day. I can only ask, why? It’s also National Play Doh Day. Sounds like fun, but again, I think I’ll pass. On the 19th, if you decide you’re going along with International Talk Like a Pirate Day, everyone will soon tire of your weird accent and wonder where your eye patch and parrot are hiding. The 23rd is Dog in Politics Day. I don’t know what that means, and I don’t think I want to. 

So, let’s move on to days you can really use. If you own a restaurant, you might want to capitalize on National Cheeseburger Day on the 18th, or National Pepperoni Pizza Day on the 20th. A Donut Shop should love National Cream-Filled Donut Day on the 14th. But if you are a financial planner or a hearing care business, don’t despair. Claim one of those days like National Chocolate Milkshake Day on the 12th. Buy up those shakes then hand them out to your customers that day. Customers always remember those unexpected little perks and will probably come back just to see what you’re up to next.

I’m saving two days for myself: Blame Someone Else Day on Friday the 13th, and Ask A Stupid Question Day on the 28th — though I may not be able to hold all my stupid questions in until then.

Now let’s get out there and claim our days! Someone really needs to be giving out those cream-filled donuts on the 14th. Let me know, and I’ll be right over!

Lynne Conlan is Executive Director of the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce. Call her at 813-634-5111, or email lynne@sccchamber.com.