A Big Picture for Local Support

Keep It Local, by Barbara Lawrence – July 18, 2012

I am taking a graduate-level marketing class at Gardner Webb University. It is great to update knowledge since technology has changed the landscape in many ways. One marketing factor remains constant, however. Word of mouth still holds a strong position in driving consumer activity. Our ability to build awareness and connections within our own community affects our local community businesses.

Awareness

Immense amounts of information inundate us every day. We have demands and differing priorities. Our current needs and requirements help us to filter the overwhelming information coming at us. 

A new local business may hope you will drop in and see what it has to offer. Awareness on the part of customers seems to take about 6 months to 1 year to notice a new business, if at all. 

In other words, clothing (for example) has to be on your mind before you are going to notice and stop in to visit a clothing store. 

Visitors looking for an experience in a destination, such as a downtown, are more likely to walk along an attractive sidewalk and look in various stores. 

The visitors’ motivation is to explore and find something or experience something different from what they see every day. 

Be a visitor in your own community and explore some small business districts. Have an ice cream, coffee, glass of wine and dinner. 

You know you deserve a day of local enjoyment occasionally!

Knowledge

How much do you know about your community and its many offerings? 

This is what we hope to explore in this blog to encourage you in the community to get out and become acquainted with yourself. 

Like/Love your community

You might “like” a comment on the Internet, but I hope you “love” your community. It is home. 

Community events, places, people and businesses all depend on each other to grow as a healthy enjoyable community. 

Share your “word of mouth” about activities and local businesses. Create some “buzz” for the all of the entrepreneurs investing in our community.

Preference

If what you want in a product or service is not available in our community, let us know. Comment on this blog, or let a local business know you can’t find the quality or value of an item you seek.

Conviction

Help us build conviction about supporting local activities and businesses. Share the message that local businesses are important to our local economy and healthy community.

Buy something

When you do spend, think about something you can purchase locally. 

Every dollar you spend in our community helps to attract more business and vitality.

Build your awareness of the Catawba River District and tell all your neighbors about what you find. After all, we live in the best spot in the region!

About Barbara Lawrence – Barbara has a background in economic development and real-estate research. Her work has included revitalization of downtown Boone, downtown Gastonia and now Mount Holly.