Get Them Off The Highway

Duane asked this question on a recent webinar:

I am a county commissioner and also serve on the board of directors at [my town]. We have tried desperately to get visitors to make the left turn into [our county] instead of the right turn to return to the interstate. We need marketing ideas to promote my town and the rest of Ottawa County.”

The Power of Many

I was ready to jump in with my thoughts, however, the others in the room beat me to the punch. This is building connections when you ask others to share with you their ideas to solve a challenge. And it can be this easy.

Turn Here

Pamela said, “Put one of those signs up that have logos and names of the businesses to turn left.” 

Nelda added, “Check with either KDOT or Department of Tourism.  The blue logo signs can include tourist attractions.  Come up with a great logo showing the rocks!” 

Takeaway: Use the resources available to you. 

 

Bloggers Tour

Christina suggested a bloggers’ tour.

I agreed with her! When I lived in Iowa, my chamber hosted a Harvest Tour. We partnered with Farm Bureau and Latham High Tech Seeds and designed a tour of the rural for city folks who were bloggers.

“Dying towns don’t work together.”

We learned:

• Our community is thriving. We found ways to partner and make this weekend showcase the community.

• It was an affordable venture with big payouts. CNN found us (we wrote and shared about the tour a lot).

• We got our story told and the world has heard it.  The long tail is the world is still hearing it.  You can’t buy that kind of promotion.

Takeaway: Try something different.

Bus Tours

Pam added: “Plan some bus trips for folks to come visit the area. WE love bus Trips and I love Quilt trips on a bus!”

Bus trips used to involve a huge 53-foot bus with lots of people coming through town, usually looking for cheap food and free stuff. Those days have changed! Now, people are exploring based on interests and riding in smaller buses. It’s the 60-plus crowd, and they come with money.

Takeaway: Look at the old ways and see how you can make it new again.

Ask a farmer

Michael chimed in, “Duane, if you know the land owners alongside, see if they’d be open to accommodating a sign(s) along the hwy.” As long as you are asking, ask the people in town, too. The farmers market people reached out to the sign people, and 3 weeks later, the sign was fixed. (story here)

Takeaway: People really do want to help.

This is what it looks like at night.

 

Garage Sales

 Pam shared, “Garage Sales in that area bring folks from  all over!” And Roger added, “Highway also has a statewide garage sale in June.”

Takeaway: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Smoke and Motor Show

Jennifer Mathes weighed in with a great suggestion!  “Maybe jazz up the sign to attract or appeal to a younger generation.  This years Smoke and motor show honors two pillars in our community that were bus drivers.”

Takeaway: Listen to everyone, gather ideas, honor people.