Do you have a shop local program or campaign? What about local currency? If you have one, you should have the other. They go together like the Kardashians and bad jokes, or peas and carrots (if you’d prefer). Here’s why you need to make a local currency program part of your shop local campaign:
Branding Opportunity
Local currency gives people reason to talk about your shop local program. It’s more than just a concept. There’s a physical representation of your town’s commitment to buying local first. Your community’s name goes on the currency and it offers branding opportunities for local merchants.
Merchant Appreciation
Offering a local currency program allows merchants the opportunity to be part of a gift certificate program without the administrative headache of implementing and maintaining one. There’s no reconciling on their part, no cancellations and reissues to be handled, no write-offs, just a reimbursement check every month that someone spends money at their business.
Good Will for Your Program
Every month someone spends money with a merchant, your organization/program can cut them a check and bring it over to them. This helps promote your organization and associates something positive (receiving money) with your group.
Encourages People to Try Something New
When someone receives a gift of local currency, they’ll also receive a list of participating merchants. This gives your merchants more exposure and buyers a reason to try something new. Most spending is done with businesses that immediately come to mind, that’s what puts local merchants at a disadvantage over box stores. They’re simply not thought of when someone needs something.
Being part of a local currency program calls attention to them and places them in front of a much larger audience than if they just sold their own gift cards.
Shopping local is more than just a day to request people buy from your community’s businesses. It’s an adjusted way of thinking, of considering what’s nearby, and supporting your community. A local currency program is a nice tie-in to that commitment and reminds people they can shop locally just as easily as they can the box stores.
