Happy Wednesday! In this week's Big I Buzz, we are discussing how the Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grant, how wolves are decreasing auto collisions and how to improve your social media skills. 

Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grant

The Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grant program will award $420 million to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications opened Monday, May 24 at 8 a.m. and applications will close at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 7th. Grant amounts are expected to be $5,000 per eligible applicant. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will issue payments by June 30. Grant money can be used for any business operating costs, including but not limited to wages and salaries, rent, mortgages, and inventory, and/or for health and safety improvements. Independent agencies are encouraged to apply.

To assist our members in bringing this important grand to the attention of their clients, the IIAW has created customizable resources for you to share. Click here for an easy-to-follow PDF with information about applying for the grant and grant eligibility. If you would like this PDF to be customized with your logo and contact information, please email kaylyn@iiaw.com. 

Wolves Scare Deer and Reduce Auto Collisions 24%, Study Says

A new study from UW-Madison has found that the presence of wolves is decreasing deer-vehicle collisions. A 2008 study by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that deer-vehicle crashes cost more than $8 billion annually. Dominic Parker, a natural resources economist at UW-Madison and co-author of the UW-Madison study  stated, "In a pretty short period of time, once wolves colonize a county, deer vehicle collisions go down about 24%. " Both thinning of the deer population by wolves and behavior changes in fearful deer are factors in the collision drop-off, according to Parker. "When you have a major predator around, it impacts how the prey behave. Wolves use linear features of a landscape as travel corridors, like roads, pipelines and stream beds. Deer learn this and can adapt by staying away." You can read more about how wolves are keeping deer away from the roads here.

5 Ways to Improve Your Social Media Skills

Social media allows you to stay connected to customers, no matter where you are they are located. IIABA has listed these 5 fives to help you create an effect social media strategy: 

1. Select the appropriate social media channel for your audience. For example, Facebook is known to reach users between 35-65. Twitter is a great option for reaching the millennial audience (plus it's an excellent option for agents who would like to post shorter, more frequent updates. LinkedIn allows agents to establish a professional brand and provide industry insights to decision-makers, prospective customers and peers, according to IIABA. 

2. Build a social media following. Building your audience will take time, however, you can add your social links to your email signature and include your social links on printed and virtual marketing materials. 

3. Share interesting and informative content. Remember to share content that will resonate with your customers and provide genuine value. In addition to sharing relevant insight on insurance-related topics, such as home maintenance or auto care, customers will appreciate engaging and informative consent, such as helpful seasonal reminders and safety tips. Don't forget to follow the IIAW on our Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to see all the content that we are posting that you can in turn share with your followers! 

4. Find the right posting cadence. According to IIABA, "Consistency is key when it comes to communicating on social media. It is important to determine when your customers are most active on social channels, while also determining the amount of time they can realistically spend on social media marketing." Consider reviewing the insights on your social posts weekly to determine what time each post is the most engaged. You can use scheduling options like Buffer, Hootsuite and Later.com to schedule posts ahead of time! 

5. Utilize online resources. Don't be afraid to read blogs, tutorials and FAQs to access a wealth of additional tips and step-by-step assistance in creating your effective social media strategy.

For more news, check out the Action news section of our weekly e-newsletter, Big I Buzz. If you aren’t subscribed, click here to add your email to our emailing list. Don’t forget you can stay up-to-date on other industry news as its happening on our Online Community. You can join the Online Community (exclusive to IIAW members)     here . We hope that everyone has a great rest of their week.