How a Simple Shared Meme Scored 400+ Likes for a Small Chamber in Alabama
Social media is a powerful tool for chambers of commerce, but finding content that truly resonates with your audience can be a challenge. The Eufaula-Barbour County Chamber of Commerce in Eufaula, Alabama nailed it last month. Let’s break down why their post worked so well and what lessons other chambers can take away from this success.
The Post That Captured Attention
On January 23rd, on the heels of a rare winter weather event, the Eufaula-Barbour County Chamber of Commerce shared a simple yet powerful message on Facebook. It was a meme that had been circulating across different communities, but it certainly struck a chord with their audience. The post read:
“Small Favor – When all the snow and ice clears up, support small/local businesses first. They’ve likely missed at least 2 days of work which could make or break their bills for this month. They need you, and honestly, your community needs them.”
This post received 441 likes and reactions, 19 comments, and 170 shares. With 6,700 followers, that means the post had an engagement rate of 9%—an incredible achievement considering that a 1-3% engagement rate is typically considered strong for social media.
Why This Post Was So Effective
What made this post so impactful? Here are three reasons why it worked:
1. Empathy & Support for Small Businesses
Small business owners are often a tough audience to engage because they’re busy, skeptical of generic marketing messages, and looking for concrete value from their chamber membership. This post spoke directly to them, recognizing the financial struggle that comes with unexpected closures due to weather. Instead of a broad “shop small” message, it acknowledged their reality and called on the community to step up and support them.
2. Timely & Relevant Message
This post was shared during a period when Eufaula-Barbour County was recovering from snow and ice. It wasn’t just a general plea for supporting small businesses—it was hyper-relevant to the community’s current situation. Timing matters on social media, and this post hit at the perfect moment when the audience was most likely to engage with it.
3. A Community-Centric Approach
The post wasn’t just about the businesses—it was about the entire community coming together. The message framed small businesses as the underdog and encouraged local residents to rally around them. This type of messaging fosters a sense of togetherness, making people feel like they are part of something bigger.
Lessons for Your Chamber’s Social Media Strategy
If you want to create high-engagement posts like this, here are some takeaways:
- Speak directly to your audience’s challenges – Show that you understand their struggles and offer genuine support.
- Keep your messaging timely and relevant – Posts that align with what’s happening in your community right now are more likely to resonate.
- Encourage community participation – Posts that make people feel like they’re part of a collective effort tend to perform well.
Are you experiencing low engagement on social media? Our Chamber Storytelling Accelerator can help.
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