I'm trying to connect with people in the small town (13,000) people where my business is located. I am in the downtown district and joined the Chamber when I first came to town. Asked them on several occasions if they would like to cosponsor educational forums, but was "politely told" that they did their own programs and weren't interested.
I then asked to be part of the downtown merchant's association and was told that for $100 a month, they would be happy to allow me entrance into the "club". I couldn't afford it. I have on a couple of occasions said I'd be part of a particular marketing event, but haven't got the money to do a lot of things with them and because I am NOT retail, I don't fit into a lot of their marketing ideas.
Today, I sent an email asking the director of the DMA to post this offer to the group: the conversation follows (my email to him):
*It is so important to support each other in the “Buy Local” arena, that I want to offer something to the other businesses in Three Rivers. At Business Success Unlimited we have a table that provides handouts of members of the group to the public that comes into the Center. I want to open this up to the business owners of Three Rivers. If you would like to bring in coupons of any sort from your organization (i.e., buy one get one free, 10% off, etc.) I will be happy to hand them out to anyone who comes in. I have a welcome package that we give to prospective members, and this would be a great way to share your products/services with others, while helping me provide my members with value added benefits to the Center. Any takers? Thanks, in advance.*
*
*His response:
*Nancy ~ I feel that you will obtain more credibility from your neighbors in Historic Downtown if you are involved in The Three Rivers Merchant Group more so.*
* I pass the info along that you send me to the TR Merchant Group AND others….BUT with more involvement, like the Billboard Sponsorship, your name will be ON the Billboard for $100 investment, OR any other type of sponsorships you deem fit for your organization. *
* Collaboratively thinking!*
*
* I am furious -- but is it justified? Am I too close to the forest to see the trees? How do I respond to this? What else (other than spend LOTS of money with them, when in the year I've been there, I've not gotten a cent from this group of people who have never bothered to come in, say hi, "kiss my **!", or anything. I have offered to give them free marketing time to be in a video I'm making on my business and on the town. I was going to give them time to intro themselves and their business in the video that would then be put on YouTube, etc. Not one person even responded. So -- what do I do? My business has the potential to help people and in other places has done exceedingly well. I just can't get these people to open their minds. Thoughts?
Breathe. Remember, people do what you pay them to. The Three Rivers
Merchant Association is in "Business" to make money. Business. As in, pay
us to get anything done.
I would go to every store individually and offer them coupon space. Call
up the Welcome Wagon. Ask them if they want to put a display out. Call
Val-Pak.
co-sponsoring. Do you have a local county college? Ask them to
co-sponsor. Ask if you can become a satellite campus. Hold a bake sale to
benefit a local popular charity.
Let Weight Watchers meet in your place one night a week.
Find the local Linux Users Group, OWASP chapter, ISSA, ISACA, any computer
related organization, and offer them meeting space.
Find the local FBI and Secret Service Field offices, and offer Infragard
and ECTF meeting space. (I am affiliated with both, feel free to call if
you need help.)
Hell, hold D&D gaming nights.
Keep trying different things till you find some people who fit your
community, or till you find people who help to create and change your
community. Keep them. :)
On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 4:04 PM, Niki <sweetandshyn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm trying to connect with people in the small town (13,000) people where
> my business is located. I am in the downtown district and joined the
> Chamber when I first came to town. Asked them on several occasions if they
> would like to cosponsor educational forums, but was "politely told" that
> they did their own programs and weren't interested.
> I then asked to be part of the downtown merchant's association and was
> told that for $100 a month, they would be happy to allow me entrance into
> the "club". I couldn't afford it. I have on a couple of occasions said I'd
> be part of a particular marketing event, but haven't got the money to do a
> lot of things with them and because I am NOT retail, I don't fit into a lot
> of their marketing ideas.
> Today, I sent an email asking the director of the DMA to post this offer
> to the group: the conversation follows (my email to him):
> *It is so important to support each other in the “Buy Local” arena, that
> I want to offer something to the other businesses in Three Rivers. At
> Business Success Unlimited we have a table that provides handouts of
> members of the group to the public that comes into the Center. I want to
> open this up to the business owners of Three Rivers. If you would like to
> bring in coupons of any sort from your organization (i.e., buy one get one
> free, 10% off, etc.) I will be happy to hand them out to anyone who comes
> in. I have a welcome package that we give to prospective members, and this
> would be a great way to share your products/services with others, while
> helping me provide my members with value added benefits to the Center. Any
> takers? Thanks, in advance.*
> *
> *His response:
> *Nancy ~ I feel that you will obtain more credibility from your neighbors
> in Historic Downtown if you are involved in The Three Rivers Merchant Group
> more so.*
> * I pass the info along that you send me to the TR Merchant Group AND
> others….BUT with more involvement, like the Billboard Sponsorship, your
> name will be ON the Billboard for $100 investment, OR any other type of
> sponsorships you deem fit for your organization. *
> * Collaboratively thinking!*
> *
> * I am furious -- but is it justified? Am I too close to the forest to
> see the trees? How do I respond to this? What else (other than spend LOTS
> of money with them, when in the year I've been there, I've not gotten a
> cent from this group of people who have never bothered to come in, say hi,
> "kiss my **!", or anything. I have offered to give them free marketing time
> to be in a video I'm making on my business and on the town. I was going to
> give them time to intro themselves and their business in the video that
> would then be put on YouTube, etc. Not one person even responded. So --
> what do I do? My business has the potential to help people and in other
> places has done exceedingly well. I just can't get these people to open
> their minds. Thoughts?
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Coworking" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
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Thanks, Josh. I just get so mad at the mentality of some of these people. I guess it's the abundance vs. scarcity philosophy. Thanks for the sound of reason!
I feel your pain being a space in a town of 10,000. I can tell you that although in theory the Chamber should be your closest ally, not all of them have that kind of foresight. It may be time to go "black ops". But before you go buy a ninja suit, let me explain.
I'm finding that although business join the Chamber or other merchant associations, their reasoning for doing so is grounded in the hope that it will work, that it will actually bring more sales or business to them. This is sometimes the case, but not always so. But many of them, being retail spaces in very traditional markets don't have anywhere else to go. So they sock money into the organizations and hang up "buy local" posters hoping at some point it will all work out. But often they see it more as a community duty or a "hope for the best" effort instead of a true plan for success.
That's where you come in. You can position yourself as free or inexpensive partner to a) help their business and b) cross promote your efforts. Start small. Pick one business you really think you could work with. Then go talk to them, explain your thoughts, and see what they are willing to try with you. That may mean handing out their coupons or displaying a certain product they only sell, but make it something that both helps them and something where they think they get MORE value from what they have to give. Fill a gap the associations don't fill, or just be more personal in how you fill it. Learn their business well enough that you can sell them to people you meet (and refer them). Become the underground Chamber for them. So what do they give?
Information. Tell them what you do. Who you serve. How you help businesses and freelancers. Invite them over to your space for coffee. Show them what it is like to work there and why you rock. Then ask 2 questions. 1) Do you know anyone that may be interested in our space? 2) Would you be willing to pass on info about us to those you meet going forward if you here they have needs we can meet.
Then wait. Not for long, but long enough, and drop in on them sometime and see how things are going. Let them know what you have done for them and ask them if they have met anyone you should talk to. Then listen.
Not enough bites? Choose business #2, shampoo, rinse, and repeat. Choose different types of businesses, different types of store owners (gender, age, interests). Find one that isn't interested, or even upset, that you are doing an "end around" on the Chamber? Politely apologize and explain that is not your intent and that you really just want to find ways you can tangibly support them. Then move on.
Do this enough and people will start getting the word out to others about what you do. You may even get some real champions that see the value you provide in the community and are willing to go to bat for you with the Chamber or elsewhere. But always, always, always give more than you receive. (See the book, "The Go-Giver" for a great example of this.)
And before anyone labels me anti-Chamber, I am not. I think they have value in communities where they work for the businesses they serve versus collect memberships and hold the status quo.
From: coworking@googlegroups.com [mailto:coworking@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Niki
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 3:04 PM
To: coworking@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Coworking] Continuing Saga of cowork in small towns
I'm trying to connect with people in the small town (13,000) people where my business is located. I am in the downtown district and joined the Chamber when I first came to town. Asked them on several occasions if they would like to cosponsor educational forums, but was "politely told" that they did their own programs and weren't interested.
I then asked to be part of the downtown merchant's association and was told that for $100 a month, they would be happy to allow me entrance into the "club". I couldn't afford it. I have on a couple of occasions said I'd be part of a particular marketing event, but haven't got the money to do a lot of things with them and because I am NOT retail, I don't fit into a lot of their marketing ideas.
Today, I sent an email asking the director of the DMA to post this offer to the group: the conversation follows (my email to him):
It is so important to support each other in the “Buy Local” arena, that I want to offer something to the other businesses in Three Rivers. At Business Success Unlimited we have a table that provides handouts of members of the group to the public that comes into the Center. I want to open this up to the business owners of Three Rivers. If you would like to bring in coupons of any sort from your organization (i.e., buy one get one free, 10% off, etc.) I will be happy to hand them out to anyone who comes in. I have a welcome package that we give to prospective members, and this would be a great way to share your products/services with others, while helping me provide my members with value added benefits to the Center. Any takers? Thanks, in advance.
His response:
Nancy ~ I feel that you will obtain more credibility from your neighbors in Historic Downtown if you are involved in The Three Rivers Merchant Group more so.
I pass the info along that you send me to the TR Merchant Group AND others….BUT with more involvement, like the Billboard Sponsorship, your name will be ON the Billboard for $100 investment, OR any other type of sponsorships you deem fit for your organization.
Collaboratively thinking!
I am furious -- but is it justified? Am I too close to the forest to see the trees? How do I respond to this? What else (other than spend LOTS of money with them, when in the year I've been there, I've not gotten a cent from this group of people who have never bothered to come in, say hi, "kiss my **!", or anything. I have offered to give them free marketing time to be in a video I'm making on my business and on the town. I was going to give them time to intro themselves and their business in the video that would then be put on YouTube, etc. Not one person even responded. So -- what do I do? My business has the potential to help people and in other places has done exceedingly well. I just can't get these people to open their minds. Thoughts?
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I understand the struggles from where Niki is coming from.
In fact, the rural city my cowork space is very similar. Rural communities are not fertile grounds for true entrepreneurialism if the government and nonprofits entities are as one. In the town of Plymouth, Indiana, that is the case.
The chamber, community foundation, mayor's office and other entities worked hard at taking away business for me, poaching my cowork members and have discouraged me so much that I'm considering locking the doors to my cowork space and using it for my own business only. Four years, four startups later, I'm not only ready to close shop, but I'm willing to relocate me, my business and my family.
Supporter of the noble game changers and life enhancers through social media marketing. Also a pioneer, coach, editor, cowork owner and consultant for hire. Services vary, Live Event Correspondent services preferred. www.EventCorrespondent.com
The Midas Center LLC
brands buzz coworking & more
200 N Michigan Street, PO Box 1264, Plymouth, IN 46563
phone: 574-936-7058
cell: 574-933-3999
www.TheMidasCenter.com www.EventCorrespondent.com pinterest / The Midas Center
google+ / Andrea Cook - Google+
facebook / The Midas Center
facebook / Cowork Space
twitter / @midascenter @andreacook
On Apr 25, 2012, at 5:01 PM, Veel Hoeden- Where Many Hats Meet! wrote:
> I feel your pain being a space in a town of 10,000. I can tell you that although in theory the Chamber should be your closest ally, not all of them have that kind of foresight. It may be time to go "black ops". But before you go buy a ninja suit, let me explain.
> I'm finding that although business join the Chamber or other merchant associations, their reasoning for doing so is grounded in the hope that it will work, that it will actually bring more sales or business to them. This is sometimes the case, but not always so. But many of them, being retail spaces in very traditional markets don't have anywhere else to go. So they sock money into the organizations and hang up "buy local" posters hoping at some point it will all work out. But often they see it more as a community duty or a "hope for the best" effort instead of a true plan for success.
> That's where you come in. You can position yourself as free or inexpensive partner to a) help their business and b) cross promote your efforts. Start small. Pick one business you really think you could work with. Then go talk to them, explain your thoughts, and see what they are willing to try with you. That may mean handing out their coupons or displaying a certain product they only sell, but make it something that both helps them and something where they think they get MORE value from what they have to give. Fill a gap the associations don't fill, or just be more personal in how you fill it. Learn their business well enough that you can sell them to people you meet (and refer them). Become the underground Chamber for them. So what do they give?
> Information. Tell them what you do. Who you serve. How you help businesses and freelancers. Invite them over to your space for coffee. Show them what it is like to work there and why you rock. Then ask 2 questions. 1) Do you know anyone that may be interested in our space? 2) Would you be willing to pass on info about us to those you meet going forward if you here they have needs we can meet.
> Then wait. Not for long, but long enough, and drop in on them sometime and see how things are going. Let them know what you have done for them and ask them if they have met anyone you should talk to. Then listen.
> Not enough bites? Choose business #2, shampoo, rinse, and repeat. Choose different types of businesses, different types of store owners (gender, age, interests). Find one that isn't interested, or even upset, that you are doing an "end around" on the Chamber? Politely apologize and explain that is not your intent and that you really just want to find ways you can tangibly support them. Then move on.
> Do this enough and people will start getting the word out to others about what you do. You may even get some real champions that see the value you provide in the community and are willing to go to bat for you with the Chamber or elsewhere. But always, always, always give more than you receive. (See the book, "The Go-Giver" for a great example of this.)
> And before anyone labels me anti-Chamber, I am not. I think they have value in communities where they work for the businesses they serve versus collect memberships and hold the status quo.
> Thanks & God Bless,
> Joel Bennett
> Chief Dreamchaser
> Veel Hoeden
> 641-780-7858
> veelhoeden.posterous.com
> Join Us on Facebook!
> <image001.png>
> From: coworking@googlegroups.com [mailto:coworking@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Niki
> Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 3:04 PM
> To: coworking@googlegroups.com
> Subject: [Coworking] Continuing Saga of cowork in small towns
> I'm trying to connect with people in the small town (13,000) people where my business is located. I am in the downtown district and joined the Chamber when I first came to town. Asked them on several occasions if they would like to cosponsor educational forums, but was "politely told" that they did their own programs and weren't interested.
> I then asked to be part of the downtown merchant's association and was told that for $100 a month, they would be happy to allow me entrance into the "club". I couldn't afford it. I have on a couple of occasions said I'd be part of a particular marketing event, but haven't got the money to do a lot of things with them and because I am NOT retail, I don't fit into a lot of their marketing ideas.
> Today, I sent an email asking the director of the DMA to post this offer to the group: the conversation follows (my email to him):
> It is so important to support each other in the “Buy Local” arena, that I want to offer something to the other businesses in Three Rivers. At Business Success Unlimited we have a table that provides handouts of members of the group to the public that comes into the Center. I want to open this up to the business owners of Three Rivers. If you would like to bring in coupons of any sort from your organization (i.e., buy one get one free, 10% off, etc.) I will be happy to hand them out to anyone who comes in. I have a welcome package that we give to prospective members, and this would be a great way to share your products/services with others, while helping me provide my members with value added benefits to the Center. Any takers? Thanks, in advance.
> His response:
> Nancy ~ I feel that you will obtain more credibility from your neighbors in Historic Downtown if you are involved in The Three Rivers Merchant Group more so.
> I pass the info along that you send me to the TR Merchant Group AND others….BUT with more involvement, like the Billboard Sponsorship, your name will be ON the Billboard for $100 investment, OR any other type of sponsorships you deem fit for your organization.
> Collaboratively thinking!
> I am furious -- but is it justified? Am I too close to the forest to see the trees? How do I respond to this? What else (other than spend LOTS of money with them, when in the year I've been there, I've not gotten a cent from this group of people who have never bothered to come in, say hi, "kiss my **!", or anything. I have offered to give them free marketing time to be in a video I'm making on my business and on the town. I was going to give them time to intro themselves and their business in the video that would then be put on YouTube, etc. Not one person even responded. So -- what do I do? My business has the potential to help people and in other places has done exceedingly well. I just can't get these people to open their minds. Thoughts?
> -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/coworking/-/Yfczh8qNHXkJ.
> To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to coworking+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en.
> -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group.
> To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com.
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I know. I really know, as I started my space as an immigrant. Try
your situation only you don't speak or write the language all that
well. :-)
The best thing I did had nothing to do with my space. I offered my
services as Stage Manager to a local theater group. And also let them
have director's meetings and rehearsals when push came to shove in the
space.
Number one, theater groups can get the word out like *nothing you have
ever seen* if they feel like it. Number two, the producer knew this
guy see, and he knew this other guy, dig. And before you know it, I
became the first American ever (as far as we know anyway) to be
embraced by a Dutch Carnaval Crewe. Well, they don't call them that.
They call them some impronounceable Dutch thing. But you get the
idea.
It's a long term thing and it is very frustrating. You have to make
your bones and the local Chamber (or whomever) wants you to think that
you can do this by just signing up. While this is possible, it is
unlikely. One way to find out is, as has already been suggested, to go
meet the neighbors.
One of the first things I did here was a "get your car washed"
promotion. You could come here and work and the nice man fromt he car
wash would take your car away dirty and bring it back clean for one
flat price, which we split. I negotiated the terms while my car was in
the car wash one Saturday. :-) This works well in a climate where
there is snow and sand and salt on the undercarriage of course, but it
could work well in general.
In general, don't approach people in a group. Herds tend to huddle.
Try to do it one on one.
Laters,
Jeannine
On Apr 25, 10:04 pm, Niki <sweetandshyn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm trying to connect with people in the small town (13,000) people where
> my business is located. I am in the downtown district and joined the
> Chamber when I first came to town. Asked them on several occasions if they
> would like to cosponsor educational forums, but was "politely told" that
> they did their own programs and weren't interested.
> I then asked to be part of the downtown merchant's association and was told
> that for $100 a month, they would be happy to allow me entrance into the
> "club". I couldn't afford it. I have on a couple of occasions said I'd be
> part of a particular marketing event, but haven't got the money to do a lot
> of things with them and because I am NOT retail, I don't fit into a lot of
> their marketing ideas.
> Today, I sent an email asking the director of the DMA to post this offer to
> the group: the conversation follows (my email to him):
> *It is so important to support each other in the “Buy Local” arena, that I
> want to offer something to the other businesses in Three Rivers. At
> Business Success Unlimited we have a table that provides handouts of
> members of the group to the public that comes into the Center. I want to
> open this up to the business owners of Three Rivers. If you would like to
> bring in coupons of any sort from your organization (i.e., buy one get one
> free, 10% off, etc.) I will be happy to hand them out to anyone who comes
> in. I have a welcome package that we give to prospective members, and this
> would be a great way to share your products/services with others, while
> helping me provide my members with value added benefits to the Center. Any
> takers? Thanks, in advance.*
> *
> *His response:
> *Nancy ~ I feel that you will obtain more credibility from your neighbors
> in Historic Downtown if you are involved in The Three Rivers Merchant Group
> more so.*
> * I pass the info along that you send me to the TR Merchant Group AND
> others….BUT with more involvement, like the Billboard Sponsorship, your
> name will be ON the Billboard for $100 investment, OR any other type of
> sponsorships you deem fit for your organization. *
> * Collaboratively thinking!*
> *
> * I am furious -- but is it justified? Am I too close to the forest to see
> the trees? How do I respond to this? What else (other than spend LOTS of
> money with them, when in the year I've been there, I've not gotten a cent
> from this group of people who have never bothered to come in, say hi, "kiss
> my **!", or anything. I have offered to give them free marketing time to be
> in a video I'm making on my business and on the town. I was going to give
> them time to intro themselves and their business in the video that would
> then be put on YouTube, etc. Not one person even responded. So -- what do I
> do? My business has the potential to help people and in other places has
> done exceedingly well. I just can't get these people to open their minds.
> Thoughts?
You've already gotten some good advice, but I'd like to chime in to add my
voice to support you.
What Joshua said about the Merchant association is very true - if they are
membership organization, they have a vested, financial interest in helping
you only if you pay them, no matter how feel-good the "buy local" message
is. $100/month might be worthwhile if they are able to deliver on the
goods (e.g. support your efforts and initiatives to get members and more).
Here in Oakland, CA, we have a Chamber of Commerce, several merchants
associations, BNI's and any number of "business development" groups that
are looking for my money in exchange for business. Some of these
organizations have locations that they are also trying to rent out, and
might see what I'm doing as competing with them. It's caused me to clarify
my business model and the message that I send out.
Getting hooked up with the local geek organizations (computer clubs, D&D,
SCA) might benefit you very well especially if you fit in or have a soft
spot for that demographic. Be careful though, about the perception that
will create with some of your other customers. (and I say this as a
hard-core nerd here...)
Crafting nights, or opportunities for Moms are also another possibility.
It's more important to establish personal relationships with the specific
people that might be your customers - freelancers, educators, etc. Being
able to relate and connect these folks with each other has been hugely
useful to me.
Here at Tech Liminal, we mix up geeks, hackers, and inventors with local
small businesses. We have technology support groups, hold events and
meetups, and do coaching that helps regular folks understand how technology
fits into their lives and businesses. We have weekends full of
electronics, crafting, art and programming workshops. We welcome
freelancers, journalists, parents, and kids. One of the alternative online
newspapers here has their office here.
We do things that the Chamber and the merchant associations don't really
understand (and wouldn't know how to offer). So can you.
Keep plugging away. You are marching to the beat of a new, and different
drummer than the folks who have been doing things the same way for the last
many years, and are afraid to adapt. Stay positive and open to new
connections.
On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 1:04 PM, Niki <sweetandshyn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm trying to connect with people in the small town (13,000) people where
> my business is located. I am in the downtown district and joined the
> Chamber when I first came to town. Asked them on several occasions if they
> would like to cosponsor educational forums, but was "politely told" that
> they did their own programs and weren't interested.
> I then asked to be part of the downtown merchant's association and was
> told that for $100 a month, they would be happy to allow me entrance into
> the "club". I couldn't afford it. I have on a couple of occasions said I'd
> be part of a particular marketing event, but haven't got the money to do a
> lot of things with them and because I am NOT retail, I don't fit into a lot
> of their marketing ideas.
> Today, I sent an email asking the director of the DMA to post this offer
> to the group: the conversation follows (my email to him):
> *It is so important to support each other in the “Buy Local” arena, that
> I want to offer something to the other businesses in Three Rivers. At
> Business Success Unlimited we have a table that provides handouts of
> members of the group to the public that comes into the Center. I want to
> open this up to the business owners of Three Rivers. If you would like to
> bring in coupons of any sort from your organization (i.e., buy one get one
> free, 10% off, etc.) I will be happy to hand them out to anyone who comes
> in. I have a welcome package that we give to prospective members, and this
> would be a great way to share your products/services with others, while
> helping me provide my members with value added benefits to the Center. Any
> takers? Thanks, in advance.*
> *
> *His response:
> *Nancy ~ I feel that you will obtain more credibility from your neighbors
> in Historic Downtown if you are involved in The Three Rivers Merchant Group
> more so.*
> * I pass the info along that you send me to the TR Merchant Group AND
> others….BUT with more involvement, like the Billboard Sponsorship, your
> name will be ON the Billboard for $100 investment, OR any other type of
> sponsorships you deem fit for your organization. *
> * Collaboratively thinking!*
> *
> * I am furious -- but is it justified? Am I too close to the forest to
> see the trees? How do I respond to this? What else (other than spend LOTS
> of money with them, when in the year I've been there, I've not gotten a
> cent from this group of people who have never bothered to come in, say hi,
> "kiss my **!", or anything. I have offered to give them free marketing time
> to be in a video I'm making on my business and on the town. I was going to
> give them time to intro themselves and their business in the video that
> would then be put on YouTube, etc. Not one person even responded. So --
> what do I do? My business has the potential to help people and in other
> places has done exceedingly well. I just can't get these people to open
> their minds. Thoughts?
> --
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Andrea- I know you were struggling with this when we met in Austin, and as much as I'd like to preach perseverance, sometimes ideas come just a bit early to our small towns, sometimes a bit too late, and sometimes the people there just never come around at all. That said, I've become so much more a believer in breaking down the problem into digestible chunks when dealing with small town issues. The fewer people you deal with the better. Solve a problem for an individual, big or small, then see what traction you get. Gain a fan...then 2...then 4. Sooner or later you start growing.
Regardless, some towns grow more thorns than flowers. In that case, a change of gardens may be in order. :)
From: coworking@googlegroups.com [mailto:coworking@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Andrea Cook
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 4:14 PM
To: coworking@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Coworking] Continuing Saga of cowork in small towns
I understand the struggles from where Niki is coming from.
In fact, the rural city my cowork space is very similar. Rural communities are not fertile grounds for true entrepreneurialism if the government and nonprofits entities are as one. In the town of Plymouth, Indiana, that is the case.
The chamber, community foundation, mayor's office and other entities worked hard at taking away business for me, poaching my cowork members and have discouraged me so much that I'm considering locking the doors to my cowork space and using it for my own business only. Four years, four startups later, I'm not only ready to close shop, but I'm willing to relocate me, my business and my family.
Supporter of the noble game changers and life enhancers through social media marketing. Also a pioneer, coach, editor, cowork owner and consultant for hire. Services vary, Live Event Correspondent services preferred. www.EventCorrespondent.com
The Midas Center LLC
brands buzz coworking & more
200 N Michigan Street, PO Box 1264, Plymouth, IN 46563
On Apr 25, 2012, at 5:01 PM, Veel Hoeden- Where Many Hats Meet! wrote:
I feel your pain being a space in a town of 10,000. I can tell you that although in theory the Chamber should be your closest ally, not all of them have that kind of foresight. It may be time to go "black ops". But before you go buy a ninja suit, let me explain.
I'm finding that although business join the Chamber or other merchant associations, their reasoning for doing so is grounded in the hope that it will work, that it will actually bring more sales or business to them. This is sometimes the case, but not always so. But many of them, being retail spaces in very traditional markets don't have anywhere else to go. So they sock money into the organizations and hang up "buy local" posters hoping at some point it will all work out. But often they see it more as a community duty or a "hope for the best" effort instead of a true plan for success.
That's where you come in. You can position yourself as free or inexpensive partner to a) help their business and b) cross promote your efforts. Start small. Pick one business you really think you could work with. Then go talk to them, explain your thoughts, and see what they are willing to try with you. That may mean handing out their coupons or displaying a certain product they only sell, but make it something that both helps them and something where they think they get MORE value from what they have to give. Fill a gap the associations don't fill, or just be more personal in how you fill it. Learn their business well enough that you can sell them to people you meet (and refer them). Become the underground Chamber for them. So what do they give?
Information. Tell them what you do. Who you serve. How you help businesses and freelancers. Invite them over to your space for coffee. Show them what it is like to work there and why you rock. Then ask 2 questions. 1) Do you know anyone that may be interested in our space? 2) Would you be willing to pass on info about us to those you meet going forward if you here they have needs we can meet.
Then wait. Not for long, but long enough, and drop in on them sometime and see how things are going. Let them know what you have done for them and ask them if they have met anyone you should talk to. Then listen.
Not enough bites? Choose business #2, shampoo, rinse, and repeat. Choose different types of businesses, different types of store owners (gender, age, interests). Find one that isn't interested, or even upset, that you are doing an "end around" on the Chamber? Politely apologize and explain that is not your intent and that you really just want to find ways you can tangibly support them. Then move on.
Do this enough and people will start getting the word out to others about what you do. You may even get some real champions that see the value you provide in the community and are willing to go to bat for you with the Chamber or elsewhere. But always, always, always give more than you receive. (See the book, "The Go-Giver" for a great example of this.)
And before anyone labels me anti-Chamber, I am not. I think they have value in communities where they work for the businesses they serve versus collect memberships and hold the status quo.
From: coworking@googlegroups.com [mailto:coworking@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Niki
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 3:04 PM
To: coworking@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Coworking] Continuing Saga of cowork in small towns
I'm trying to connect with people in the small town (13,000) people where my business is located. I am in the downtown district and joined the Chamber when I first came to town. Asked them on several occasions if they would like to cosponsor educational forums, but was "politely told" that they did their own programs and weren't interested.
I then asked to be part of the downtown merchant's association and was told that for $100 a month, they would be happy to allow me entrance into the "club". I couldn't afford it. I have on a couple of occasions said I'd be part of a particular marketing event, but haven't got the money to do a lot of things with them and because I am NOT retail, I don't fit into a lot of their marketing ideas.
Today, I sent an email asking the director of the DMA to post this offer to the group: the conversation follows (my email to him):
It is so important to support each other in the “Buy Local” arena, that I want to offer something to the other businesses in Three Rivers. At Business Success Unlimited we have a table that provides handouts of members of the group to the public that comes into the Center. I want to open this up to the business owners of Three Rivers. If you would like to bring in coupons of any sort from your organization (i.e., buy one get one free, 10% off, etc.) I will be happy to hand them out to anyone who comes in. I have a welcome package that we give to prospective members, and this would be a great way to share your products/services with others, while helping me provide my members with value added benefits to the Center. Any takers? Thanks, in advance.
His response:
Nancy ~ I feel that you will obtain more credibility from your neighbors in Historic Downtown if you are involved in The Three Rivers Merchant Group more so.
I pass the info along that you send me to the TR Merchant Group AND others….BUT with more involvement, like the Billboard Sponsorship, your name will be ON the Billboard for $100 investment, OR any other type of sponsorships you deem fit for your organization.
Collaboratively thinking!
I am furious -- but is it justified? Am I too close to the forest to see the trees? How do I respond to this? What else (other than spend LOTS of money with them, when in the year I've been there, I've not gotten a cent from this group of people who have never bothered to come in, say hi, "kiss my **!", or anything. I have offered to give them free marketing time to be in a video I'm making on my business and on the town. I was going to give them time to intro themselves and their business in the video that would then be put on YouTube, etc. Not one person even responded. So -- what do I do? My business has the potential to help people and in other places has done exceedingly well. I just can't get these people to open their
Thank you all for your caring thoughts for my issue. Andrea, we need to talk. While I'm really sorry to hear that you're having problems as well, it made me feel much better knowing that I'm not alone! Thank you for sharing. Anca, it's nice to hear from you too. I love the ideas and some I'll try to use, thank you all. Unfortunately, I've tried a lot of them. I've opened my space to local homebased businesses to use on the weekend to showcase their products and services FREE, but no one has taken the opportunity. I've joined the old boy networks, and have been told, sorry can't talk about your business (Rotary, Lions). I have knocked on doors where people have said, wow, sounds great -- but have never showed up. I've bought from their businesses, but have not had any purchases in return. In this little Amish community, there is not even high speed Internet access, let alone computer "geeks" to use the space. The community college told me, when I asked for a marketing intern "we don't have any students in that field". I, like Andrea, am ready to give up. But you guys (and God) keep me going. Thanks and I KNOW that it will happen!!!!!!
