If you’re like most chambers and always looking for sources of non-dues revenue, we have an easy one for you. This idea works well with or without a local currency program but having one means even larger opportunities for non-dues revenue.
Many chambers are running a shop local program this time of year. Often one of the reasons people don’t shop local is merely because it slips their mind. When they’re thinking about who will have the Hot Wheels set junior wants they think Toys ‘r Us, Target, or Walmart. They forget about your town’s local toy store.
Bring Greater Awareness to Shoppers with a Shop Local e-Book
A really easy way to help businesses stay top of mind and increase non-dues revenue is through creating a shop local e-book. You probably already use a member directory and offer ad placement or business showcasing for additional revenue. An e-book is even easier.
With an e-book you can:
- Entice people visually with effective images
- Run advertorials that allow local businesses to feature themselves in a full-page spread
- Accept content written by businesses
- Use”Best Gifts for” articles to give shoppers ideas
- List your holiday events
- Add a letter about the importance of shopping local
- Offer coupons and discounts for e-book readers
Each one of these special kinds of content can be sold the way you would ads. You can create opportunities for every budget and make it a lot more visually appealing than a directory. Plus the e-book is personalized to your town and you can add information in there selling the atmosphere as well. Best of all, if you use an e-book template to create it, it will probably only take you a handful of hours. Other than the time spent, you can do it for free.
If you have a relationship with a local printer and/or can negotiate a good price on printing, you could print the book off and have it available for visitors and at shop local events.
Get people excited about shopping local and offer your member businesses another way to shine during this special season.
