There are plank challenges, ab challenges, food challenges, green cleanse challenges and a number of others, but this challenge will do more than just make you feel good. It will help you help local businesses. We’re now about mid-way through the summer vacation, and if you have children, you’re probably Read more…
Last week while driving by an oil change business, I passed an employee standing with a sign that read, “No wait.” Assuming a passerby could read the sign with enough time to pull into the parking lot, it was a great piece of marketing that is easily replicated. Here’s how Read more…
Every year the American Independent Business Alliance celebrates Independents Week as a show of support for independent businesses. The week-long celebration looks to encourage supporting community entrepreneurs and small businesses. Here are a few creative ways to use social media to get the word out in your community: Feature a Read more…
If you’ve been considering a local currency program for your chamber, there are a few things you should know as not all solutions offer the same benefits. In order to select the perfect program for your chamber, ask yourself the following questions: How Tech Savvy Is My Community? Before Read more…
Guess what? Father’s Day is this Sunday. Did you forget? You still have plenty of time to find dad the perfect tie or gadget but why not give him a gift he’ll really love? Dads love local currency and here’s why: Dad’s Favorite Gift: Local Currency For the Hobbiest Read more…
When creating a shop local campaign, it takes very little to get merchants involved. Persuading them to offer discounts or incentives to shop local sometimes takes a little effort, but in the end, the program benefits them so they generally will agree. In the case of local currency programs, most of Read more…
Buying local and buying small (business) is one of those concepts that everyone can agree to as being good in theory, like the pursuit of happiness, for instance. But “in theory” doesn’t apply to people’s pocketbooks. We are emotional purchasers largely driven by wants. Motivating people to buy local requires Read more…
Shop local and small business campaigns are trending right now but unlike the popularity of the Khardashians, they’re a trend we want to see stick around. (Sorry, Kim.) In order for local shopping and spending to increase, you have to have a strong marketing campaign that lasts longer than a Hollywood Read more…
Ideally as a merchant you belong to an organization — like a chamber, local merchant’s association or Main Street group — that helps bring customers in by running shop local campaigns throughout the year. Those types of programs help, so do the contests and incentives they usually run in conjunction Read more…
Gift cards are extremely convenient but they’re not all the same. That’s obvious. There are gift cards for specific stores, restaurant gift cards, credit card gift cards that can be used anywhere, and gift cards to specific services that can be used at several locations nationwide. There’s also our personal favorite Read more…
