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New Micro-Marketing Program to Aid Small Businesses with COVID-19 Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges and local business owners have found themselves constantly adapting to changing circumstances with innovative and creative ways to safely deliver products and services to their customers. Today, at the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce (DCRCOC) monthly contact breakfast, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro announced a new public-private program to help small, independent Dutchess County businesses expand their marketing reach to increase their foot traffic and boost sales.
Dutchess County Government, Think Dutchess, Dutchess Tourism and DCRCOC have teamed up to launch a “Micro Marketing” COVID recovery program. This program will provide support for small, independent businesses in Dutchess County to learn marketing best practices and funding to promote their business on digital platforms to increase visibility and expand their customer base. The program includes:- Customized ad or post placement on digital platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google using geofencing and boosting technologies
- Webinars on small business marketing and promotion best practices
- A one-year membership with full benefits to the DCRCOC (existing members will receive options of sponsorship opportunities)
Local businesses have adjusted and re-adjusted their business operations over the past 14 months of the pandemic to best serve their customers. Businesses have offered a wide variety of services and options to provide safety and service, whether it has been personalized shopping, curbside pickup, outdoor dining, adjusted operating hours, as well as a range of other options. Keeping customers informed and engaged about current offerings and options is critical for businesses. The new MicroMarketing program will assist businesses in marketing to both current and new customers about their services and offerings with targeted marketing efforts based on the specific business.
“This program can make a real difference for local business owners. Businesses often cut back marketing to save money during tough times. However, research shows when marketing budgets are reduced during an economic downturn, not only do businesses lose sales and profits, but they can lag behind as economic conditions improve,” said Frank Castella, Jr., President and CEO of the DCRCOC. “This program gives businesses who have had to make tough choices the chance to promote themselves and showcase all they are doing to safely serve their customers.”
The DCRCOC will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, May 4th at 8:00am to present details about the program, eligibility and benefits. To sign up for the webinar, go to the Dutchess Business Notification Network website at www.dutchessbnn.com.