Remind ‘em that “Shopping Local” keeps their favorite stores open and contributes to the vitality of the local economy.
A few tips for creating and promoting your town’s local retail campaign, courtesy of The National Trust for Historic Preservation and its National Main Street Center:
• Use newspapers, blogs, interviews, etc. to publicize your local businesses and initiatives.
• Make it a snap for shoppers to find you: put directories (with map) in area tourism bureaus, chambers of commerce, rest stops, local businesses.
• Create an online business directory…bonus points for making it interactive!
• Design a logo for ads, banners and window decals to spread the word. Feature fellow businesses in your newsletter or online…ask them to reciprocate in theirs.
• Have your economic restructuring committee work with the municipality, area banks and other organizations to develop incentives and assistance that support independent businesses and help them thrive.