8-30-18 Good photos are good marketing

When I do a weekly Business Spotlight story, I always request at least three or four photographs to accompany the story. When I look back at the stories that have been published, I notice the value of the photos accompanying the stories. My Editor, JoAnna Weeks, sets up each business story so the photos become a major part of the story-telling. The photos represent the personalities as well as the business

The last two stories are great examples. Blake Durr, who is an arborist, (https://www.whidbeylocal.com/article/view/2070 ) showed pictures of his family and his work doing some tree climbing and using his equipment. The story before this showed Edward Jones Representative, Kevin Lungren, in his office, paddle boarding to work, standing beside his distinctive sign on Main Street and a nice photo of Kevin and his office staff (https://www.whidbeylocal.com/article/view/2065).

Have some good photographs taken to include in all your marketing materials, including your website and Facebook page.

8-23-18 Hugging is part of marketing on Whidbey

I visit the Bay Area at least once or twice a year. And, every few weeks I go to Bellevue to visit with kids and grandkids. Each time I travel off the island I have to watch myself: hugging family and close friends is OK, but may not be the norm in many places I visit.

A typical day on Whidbey usually includes numerous hugs. And, not just with people I know well. Usually, I meet someone I know in the grocery store (whichever one I visit), when I walk around Freeland or Langley, or simply taking a walk. I am always surprised at how often I meet someone who gives me a hug, wherever I go on the island.

The reason I mention hugs in a marketing blog is that when I visit the merchants on South Whidbey, I know many of them, and a visit to their stores usually includes hugs. I am sure other small towns create this same experience, but, it’s not the norm in most big cities and suburbs.

Anyway, part of what makes Whidbey such a sweet, lovely place to shop for me (and I would guess for most of us) is to walk into a store and not only get greeted warmly, but to have the business owner walk out and give me a welcoming hug.

This type of shopping experience is one of the major reasons I would rather shop on the island, even if prices are not as low as the big box stores. It’s such a great feeling to be truly appreciated as a potential customer…..or maybe just as a neighbor.

8-16-18 It takes a lot of courage to start a business

I have enormous respect for anyone who has the courage to start a business, especially a retail business that requires so many skills and so much energy. I am impressed with anyone who has the commitment and energy to open a store front business, deal with all of the aspects of obtaining and displaying merchandise and be there to greet customers (with many small retail businesses, the owner often handles everything until the business generates enough income to support hiring help).

Retail communities on Whidbey have many small business owners. There are also retail businesses along the highway up and down the island.

I have made a personal commitment to shop at the independent businesses on the island whenever I can. I sometimes hear people talk about prices being lower across the water (of course, there is a ferry cost to add into this). I am willing to pay higher prices, if necessary (and this isn’t always the case), to support our local businesses.

I hope you too will make a commitment to support our local businesses as much as possible. These small, retail stores add to the special environment of Whidbey, as much as the beautiful scenery and the sweet community.

8-9-18 Making a person feel welcome coming into your store

Have you ever walked into a retail store and waited for someone to notice you?

I have had the experience (more than once) of waiting for someone to notice me and becoming aware that no one was even making eye contact. No one said “Hello” or "I'll be with you in just a minute.” 

I can imagine that sometimes staff are tired, or had to deal with some cranky customers, or were just anxious to be done with their work day and head home.  

But, as the customer, my only concern was being waited on, or at least having someone greet me and say they would be helping me soon.  I wanted to feel welcome.

We are deep into the tourist season on Whidbey. Making a customer feel welcome is always important, but this is especially true when many strangers may be stopping by your business.

8-2-18 Always looking for good stories for the Business Spotlight

A few years ago I got into writing stories about Whidbey businesses. My professional background was as a marketing research and public involvement consultant. Then I moved to Whidbey and was asked to write a couple of stories about marketing research for a local business magazine (Northwest Business Monthly, which no longer exists). I don’t even remember now what first created my connection with the magazine. Then, I was asked to write stories about local businesses for that publication.

Somehow, the publisher of Whidbey Local, JoAnna Weeks, learned about my writing, and she asked me to do business stories for her on-line publication. She encouraged me to write what I wanted, in my own style. She has now branded me as the “Business Spotlight.”  Each week, she trusts me to choose a business, tell their story, and it is published without any editing (my husband is my “official” editor).

I feel very privileged because I am having the delight of making my own choices and telling stories in my own way.

I believe that what makes a business story appealing is knowing about the person or people who started the business. I ask three basic questions: Why did they come to live on Whidbey? Why did they decide to create their business? What is special or unique about the product and/or services they provide?

I invite you to check out a new story each week on The Business Spotlight on Whidbey Local: http://www.whidbeylocal.com/articles/1/5243

For me, a business story is really about the people behind the business. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact me: carolyntamler@whidbey.net