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Strategy: Be Locally Relevant

Busy Season Relief

Busy Season Relief

Be Locally Relevant, Build Loyalty, Create Community, Drive Traffic

Overview As a small business owner, you’ve probably faced your own busy season(s). If you’re a retailer, this can be around the holidays. If you’re a restaurant or a bar, […]

Charity: Book Drive

Charity: Book Drive

Be Locally Relevant, Support Local Charities

Overview There’s no better way to truly become part of your neighborhood than to give back to those in need within your neighborhood or city. But don’t worry, you don’t […]

Charity: Day of Fundraising

Charity: Day of Fundraising

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Support Local Charities

Overview A great way to support local charities is to allow your customers to become involved in the process. Ask them what charities they support, and make a day (or […]

Charity: Donate Tips

Charity: Donate Tips

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Support Local Charities

Overview Employees may decide to collectively donate their tips on a given day to a charity – sending a strong message of support to the chosen nonprofit organization. See the Charity […]

Charity: Local Libraries

Charity: Local Libraries

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Support Local Charities

Overview Public libraries are a place where people of all ages go to explore, learn, and be inspired. However, these cultural community centers are often undervalued, understaffed and / or […]

Charity: Local School Organizations

Charity: Local School Organizations

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Support Local Charities

Overview Chances are, an elementary or high school in your neighborhood has approached you about donating something (a gift certificate, a gift basket, catering) for a fundraiser or event they [...]

Charity: Selecting a Charity Partner

Charity: Selecting a Charity Partner

Be Locally Relevant, Be The Leader, Support Local Charities

Overview Supporting local charities and/or local non-profit groups that are meaningful to you and to your customers is a great way to stay connected to your community. See the Charity […]

Charity: Volunteer Event

Charity: Volunteer Event

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Support Local Charities

Overview Conduct a volunteer event with a local non-profit organization. See the Charity & Community Give-Back Guide for the comprehensive approach to this topic. Details What a great feeling [...]

Community Board

Community Board

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Support Local Charities

Overview Letting your customers know what you do in the community is important to both customers and employees. The Community Board is an opportunity to let customers know how you […]

Community Events & Festivals

Community Events & Festivals

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Drive Trial

Overview Are there annual local events that your company should celebrate and participate in? Annual Christmas Fair? New Year’s Celebration? City or National Holidays? Many of these events [...]

Customer Art Contest

Customer Art Contest

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, New Store, Support Local Charities

Overview Are you opening your new business in a vibrant, artistic neighborhood? Is your location in an extremely artistic neighborhood? If so, holding a customer art contest could be a […]

Destination Events: Charity Event

Destination Events: Charity Event

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Drive Traffic, Support Local Charities

Overview Engage with your local community by hosting events that benefit a charity that you care about. Have fun, and do good! Details Here are some great examples of restaurants, […]

Destination Events: Host Regular Events

Destination Events: Host Regular Events

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Drive Traffic, Increase Frequency

Overview Most restaurants, wineries, cafes, bars and retail stores are looking for ways to drive traffic to their location. Hosting events is a great way to drive traffic by making […]

Destination Events: Hosting Book Clubs

Destination Events: Hosting Book Clubs

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Drive Traffic, Increase Frequency

Overview Hosting in-store book clubs meetings is a great opportunity for you to expose your business to new customers and to integrate yourself as a part of the community. Details […]

Destination Events: Live Music

Destination Events: Live Music

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Drive Traffic, Increase Frequency, New Store

Overview Hosting in-store music events featuring local musicians are a great way to connect with your community, make your location a destination and drive traffic. Ensure that the music style [...]

Environment: Adopt A Highway

Environment: Adopt A Highway

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Create Community, Support the Environment

Overview Adopt A Highway partnerships are a win-win for everyone involved. Local (or national) companies parter with the state departments of transportation to keep a certain stretch of highway [...]

Environment: Tree Planting

Environment: Tree Planting

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Create Community, Support the Environment

Overview Planting trees can be a great way to demonstrate how much you care about your community and the environment. Details A tree planting activity will probably be done in […]

Good Neighbor: Fire House & Police Station

Good Neighbor: Fire House & Police Station

Be Locally Relevant, Build Loyalty, Create Community, Increase Frequency

Overview The men and women in uniform in your community deserve to be celebrated and honored. Every day, they risk their lives to make sure your community is a safe […]

Good Neighbor: Local Theater Catering

Good Neighbor: Local Theater Catering

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Create Community, Increase Ticket

Overview Being a good neighbor to a local theater group can be a great way to become locally relevant. Offer catered service for the rehearsals or performances at your local theater […]

Good Neighbor: Neighborhood Tours (Meet & Greet)

Good Neighbor: Neighborhood Tours (Meet & Greet)

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Create Community, New Store

Overview Before your new location opens or if you’re a new manager in your location, take the opportunity to get to know your neighbors! This “meet ‘n’ greet” tour [...]

Good Neighbor: Neighborly Discounts

Good Neighbor: Neighborly Discounts

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, Drive Traffic

Overview Is your business located in a shopping center, mall or other cozy community? If so, we bet you share your customers with restaurants, retail shops and other specialty stores. […]

Grand Opening: “Hi Neighbor!” Invitation

Grand Opening: “Hi Neighbor!” Invitation

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Create Community, Drive Traffic, Drive Trial, New Store

Overview Sending a personalized letter to your local business neighbors about your Grand Opening event is an easy way to build awareness about your new location! See the New Store [...]

Grand Opening: Charity & Dignitary Participation

Grand Opening: Charity & Dignitary Participation

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, New Store, Support Local Charities

Overview Invite your charity partner and local town officials to participate in your Grand Opening Event. See the New Store Opening Guide for the comprehensive approach to this topic. Details The [...]

Grand Opening: Ribbon Cutting

Grand Opening: Ribbon Cutting

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Drive Trial, New Store

Overview A ribbon-cutting event is used at a Grand Opening or Grand Re-Opening to celebrate the official opening of a location. It signifies the official opening or start of business. […]

Historical Significance / Landmark

Historical Significance / Landmark

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community, New Store

Overview Is your business located in a historically significant building or in a historically significant area? If so, why not leverage that fact to garner interest in your business and […]

In-Store Events: Art Openings

In-Store Events: Art Openings

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Drive Traffic, Drive Trial

Overview When hosting an In-Store Artist Exhibit, it’s a great idea to ‘unveil’ the exhibit with with an Art Opening Event. This is a great way to turn your store […]

In-Store Events: Customer Appreciation Day

In-Store Events: Customer Appreciation Day

Be Locally Relevant, Build Loyalty, Create Community, Drive Traffic, Increase Frequency

Overview What better way to show your customers you care about them then by planning a Customer Appreciation Day in their honor? Details First things first… when should you host […]

In-Store Events: Holiday Party

In-Store Events: Holiday Party

Be Calendar Relevant, Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Build Loyalty, Create Community, Drive Traffic, Drive Trial

Overview The holidays are the perfect time to say “thank you” to your customers and clients and celebrate! What better way to build community and drive traffic than to have […]

In-Store Events: Poetry Readings

In-Store Events: Poetry Readings

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Create Community, Drive Traffic, Drive Trial

Overview Hosting an in-store poetry reading is an easy way to create a connection with your local community. By working with a local school or university (do a little research […]

Memberships: Chamber of Commerce

Memberships: Chamber of Commerce

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Create Community

Overview Joining your local Chamber of Commerce or Neighborhood Association allows you a quick and easy way to connect with fellow business owners and local leaders. Details In addition to […]

Newspaper & Magazine: Product Sampling

Newspaper & Magazine: Product Sampling

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Create Community

Overview Local newspaper and magazine (often referred to as simply “print”) reporters like to know what’s going on in their community. So reach out and introduce your business [...]

Offices: Building Management Partnership

Offices: Building Management Partnership

Be Locally Relevant, Build Loyalty, Drive Traffic, Increase Frequency

Overview If your restaurant, café, spa or retail shop is located in a downtown area, or near various large office buildings, this is a great marketing activity for you. Many […]

Outdoor Concerts

Outdoor Concerts

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Create Community, Drive Trial

Overview Outdoor concerts can be a great way to get your products and services in front of potential customers. You could provide catering service, sampling, or product demonstrations for the [...]

Post-Event Destination

Post-Event Destination

Be Locally Relevant, Drive Traffic

Overview Establish your location as a post-event destination in the evening to drive additional traffic. Details Encourage customers to visit your location after the local theater or movies. [...]

Radio Station: Morning Drive Product Samplings

Radio Station: Morning Drive Product Samplings

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Drive Traffic, New Store

Overview Radio station on-air personalities love to get free product and service samples! So reach out to them and give them what they want! You could create fans and get […]

Radio Station: On-Site Broadcast

Radio Station: On-Site Broadcast

Be Locally Relevant, Build Loyalty, Drive Traffic, Drive Trial, New Store

Overview A radio station broadcast on-site at your location is a great away to build awareness and drive traffic and trial of your products. This is a great activity for new […]

Radio Station: Promotions

Radio Station: Promotions

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Drive Traffic

Overview Local radio stations are a great way to get the word out about your location and your offerings. There are tons of opportunities for radio station promotions…from on-air give-aways [...]

School Partnerships

School Partnerships

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Build Loyalty, Create Community, Support Local Charities

Overview Partnering with local schools is a great way to integrate your business into your local community and be part of what’s important to your customers. Details During your Community […]

School Partnerships: Fundraising Night

School Partnerships: Fundraising Night

Be Locally Relevant, Be The Leader, Create Community, Drive Traffic, Support Local Charities

Overview Partnering with local schools is a great way to integrate your business into your local community and be part of what’s important to your customers. Schools and school programs […]

School Partnerships: Supply Drives

School Partnerships: Supply Drives

Be Calendar Relevant, Be Locally Relevant, Build Loyalty, Create Community

Overview If your store is opening at the beginning of the school year, or if you’re looking for an opportunity to give back to your local community: collect school supplies […]

School Partnerships: Teacher Appreciation Day

School Partnerships: Teacher Appreciation Day

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Create Community

Overview Showing the teachers of your community that you care about them is a great way to make a local connection. Remember the schools you outlined in your Community during […]

School Partnerships: Weekly Reading at Local Schools

School Partnerships: Weekly Reading at Local Schools

Be Locally Relevant, Create Community

Overview Volunteering your time to reading with a child, even for just one hour a week, can make a huge difference in that child’s life. Contact your local school or […]

Seasonal: Fall Football

Seasonal: Fall Football

Be Calendar Relevant, Be Locally Relevant, Drive Traffic

Overview For some people, nothing says Fall like a Sunday on the couch watching football. And for most of those people, football is best paired with pizza, wings, and other […]

Signage: Sidewalk Chalk Art

Signage: Sidewalk Chalk Art

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Drive Traffic

Overview Sidewalk chalk art is an inexpensive and colorful way to advertise your business’ new menu items, or new products or services to those in your neighborhood. Important: Before [...]

Social Media: Facebook

Social Media: Facebook

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Drive Traffic

Overview Facebook is the most-used social network in the world. Did you know that over one billion people like and comment an average of 3.2 million times every day? When […]

Social Media: Pinterest

Social Media: Pinterest

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness

Overview To put it simply, Pinterest is a “virtual pinboard.” It helps users organize and share all the beautiful and interesting things that they find online. Members use their pinboards […]

Social Media: Twitter

Social Media: Twitter

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness, Drive Traffic

Overview Twitter is an information network that instantly connects users with the latest stories, ideas and news that other users find interesting. Users share short bursts of information through [...]

Student Events

Student Events

Be Locally Relevant, Drive Traffic, Increase Frequency

Overview If your business is located near (or on) a college campus, hosting student-centric events throughout the school year is a great way to drive traffic to your location, and […]

TV Station: Product Sampling

TV Station: Product Sampling

Be Locally Relevant, Build Awareness

Overview Local TV station reporters and teams like to receive free samples and know what’s going on in their community. So reach out and take them samples! You could create […]

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