Tag Archives: small business
I’m all about cooperating, and I don’t just mean in the sense that your Mother taught you. Yes, it pays to play nice with your coworkers and business acquaintances, but what I’m really talking about is co-operating – operating alongside someone else or some other business in order to create amazing opportunities that you couldn’t have done on your own.
The Arts are Co-Operating in Chatham
This week I learned about an exciting new Arts Co-Operative that’s currently in the works here in Chatham. Yes – in Chatham! (If you’ve ever been to Chatham, you’ll understand that this is an exciting edition to our predominantly blue-collar town). The space, which is being spear-headed by local artists Christy Obalek DeKoning and Linda Van de Bovenkamp, will include a combination of studio, retail store, workshop space, and café. It will provide artists from throughout the municipality with more than just a place to work and connect, but a place to inspire and create. How awesome is that!? (Want to learn more about this unique local venture? Linda can be contacted either by phone at 519-350-3146, or through her Facebook profile).
Collaborative working and co-operating spaces make complete sense to me, probably because I currently work from a home office. I spend five days a week talking to my trusty assistant, Marg the Cat, and my security detail, Pepper the Dog. Sadly, they aren’t the most creative bunch in the world. Of course, I could open an office and hire in-house staff as opposed to contract telecommute staff, but then I’m surrounding myself with people that do the same thing as me… which still isn’t the creative atmosphere I want. What I want is a collaborative space that houses a whole spectrum of professions. A place where graphic designers work alongside writers, where local art is displayed on the walls, and a demo CD from a local band is playing in the background. I want to feed off of the creativity of others, even if that creativity has nothing to do with mine. It’s a big dream, but the unveiling of this new Arts Co-Operative goes to show that it’s not an impossible one.
How You Can Start Co-Operating Today
While we don’t all have the luxury of working in a collaborative space, we can start approaching our business from a co-operative stand point. Take a minute and start brainstorming other businesses in your area that you admire – either for their awesome product offering or friendly customer service. Now, think of ways that you can combine your business with theirs to create a truly unique experience. Perhaps you could embark on a great co-operative marketing strategy that would bring both of your businesses new clients. Or maybe you could arrange to carry a few of their specialty items in your store, if they offered to do the same for you.
It doesn’t need to be a dog-eat-dog world out there. Stop constantly competing against other local businesses, and instead, start working together to create stronger communities and better services. Your customers will appreciate it and I’m willing to bet your business will benefit too.
Do you co-operate with another business or businesses? Tell us how!
The CKDP.ca reported recently that a number of downtown Chatham businesses have embraced the use of QR codes, inserting them in their store windows in order to provide smartphone users with immediate access the company website. The project was instituted by a local web design company with the hopes of providing local businesses with a unique marketing tool. And while I think this is a great initiative, I’d like to challenge small business owners to do more with QR codes. Simply linking to your website isn’t enough incentive for a customer walking by to stop and scan your code. In order for this marketing campaign to be truly worthwhile, small business owners will need to get creative. The following are four unique ways that small businesses in Chatham-Kent can use QR codes to market their business:
1) Offer exclusive promotions
In case you haven’t noticed, it’s bloody cold out there right now. So if you think I’m going to take my hands out of my nice warm pockets in order to snap a picture of your QR code, something amazing better pop up on my screen. Linking to your website isn’t enough; instead, connect your QR code to a specific landing page on your website that contains an exclusive deal. Reward your technologically-savvy customers with a freebie or discount and you’ll start to find that more and more people stop and scan.
2) Change things up regularly
QR codes are cool because they’re mysterious – there’s no telling what will pop up on your phone following a scan. Small businesses need to use this element of surprise to their advantage. Set up a marketing campaign where you change up the offer associated with your code daily. Encourage your customers to scan daily to make the most of your program.
3) Combine it with other marketing campaigns
If you’re like most small town businesses, you probably run a regular ad in the local newspaper. Why not shake up your next ad by including a small QR code in one of the corners? This simple addition will turn your quarter page ad into an endless marketing tool. Better yet, why not place two or three QR codes throughout the same issue of the paper, linking each to a different promotion. Curiosity alone will help drive new customers to your website.
4) Elevate your elevator speech
If you attend a lot of networking events, like the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours outings, you might want to consider including a QR code on your business card. A QR code will help your card stand out, and curiosity will cause new connections to execute the scan and discover more about your business. Consider linking the QR code on your card to your website homepage, service offerings, or portfolio (depending on your industry). If you’re just getting started, link it to your LinkedIn profile or personal blog.
Get Your QR Code for Free
Generating a QR code is easy – all you need is the link that you want to connect the code to and a QR code generator. QR codes can link to phone numbers, email addresses, webpages, social media, maps and more. Generator yours today, print it out, and start experimenting! You might be surprised by the response.
Do you use QR codes at your business? Do you scan QR codes? Share your experience below.
