Get the word out
There are many different ways to promote that your business is open and ready for customers during the Safer-At-Home orders. Below are several options, as well as special offerings by local media partners and fellow Basalt Chamber members.
Physical location
At your physical location, in addition to required public health signage, ensure there are signs indicating that the business is open, be specific about hours and get creative. While many of the suggestions below involve technology, sandwich boards, sidewalk sales and even chalk are effective ways to indicate “We Are Open.”
Information is changing so quickly, so one way to help customers out is to keep business voicemail messages current with any new information.
PRO TIP: Keep a master list of what updates are made and where (similar to when you have to update your mailing address when you move). The Roaring Fork Valley is just entering Phase I of the transition trail map, and as the community progresses to open up more, businesses will likely need to go back and update their information in order for it to be current.
Digital Curb Appeal
Since the Stay At Home orders first when into effect, there has been a sharp increase among consumers in the amount of time spent online. Are you making it easy to be found? New York Times | The Virus Changed the Way We Internet
Organization’s Website
Take the time to look at your website and make sure information is current.
Basalt Chamber Members ~ Directory
All Basalt Chamber Members have access to an enhanced listing in the Directory on basaltchamber.org. Enhance your business’s digital curb appeal by ensuring that your profile is complete. Members can control what is displayed, and can easily update information as it changes. In many instances, the Chamber’s Directory page for a business is one of the top results in a Google Search. Basalt Chamber Member Portal instructions [PDF]
Google My Business
Drive customer engagement directly through Google search results. Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to promote your Business Profile and business website on Google Search and Maps. With your Google My Business account, you can see CoinPal and connect with your customers, post updates to your Business Profile, and see how customers are interacting with your business on Google. If your business is not claimed and verified, please contact the Chamber for assistance.
Google recently added COVID-19 specific updates for businesses to easily update customers about new hours, take-out and delivery options and recent news. The Knowledge Base has great information, including restaurant specific tips on how to display badges in a profile that indicate a business is doing take-out and delivery. There is also a retail specific guide that may be of use.
The Chamber will be offering future workshops tied to Google My Business, in partnership with the Colorado Tourism Office.
Social media
Businesses with an existing presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media platforms should ensure that business information is up to date, and that posts regarding reopening are pinned to the top of the page. Restaurants can also post menus online.
Even with a great following, posts may not always have the visibility a business desires. Consider cross-posting on different group pages – e.g. the BASALT CO COMMUNITY PAGE (managed by local community admins, and not the chamber). Additionally, spotify promotion now is a great time to experiment with a small budget to test social media advertising. Promoted posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram are an effective way to capture a new audience while they are scrolling on their phones or laptops.
The Aspen Times – We’re Open feature
In its continued efforts to keep the local residents informed on which businesses remain open, The Aspen Times has started the “We’re Open” feature to profile local businesses working through the coronavirus crisis. The new outlet want to connect consumers with the work businesses are doing to stay open. The continuously updated “What’s Open” list of businesses that are operating is posted at at http://www.aspentimes.com/recent-stories/we-are-open
Additionally, The Aspen Times has been running a daily featured business. To be featured as a business profile, email staff reporter Austin Colbert at acolbert@aspentimes.com for more information.
Radio
Always Mountain Time – Operation Local Love
Always Mountain Time (The LIFT FM, KNFO, KSPN & Ski Country) is offering FREE radio station website listing & DJ updates on its local stations. Contact Terry at terry@alwaysmountaintime.com to sign up. Whether you are open, offering delivery, pickup, or online ordering, AMT love to help get that word out.
In addition to the free listing and updates, AMT is offering a severely discounted $50 per week deal: 25 ads scheduled 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday-Friday. Prepayments can be made at www.alwaysmountaintime.com/paynow and advertising flights can be done on a week by week basis due to the frequent changes during this confusing time. Contact Terry at terry@alwaysmountaintime.com to get started.
Operation Local Love flyer [PDF]
KDNK
With web traffic of around 5,000 people per week, and unique streaming/listen live listenership of around 1000 people per week, KDNK is a great way to promote your business to locals.
Not only can KDNK help local businesses reach out to a highly engaged audience with traditional underwriting, KDNK also offer the opportunity for nonprofits to air underwriting via donations from their supporters. Contact KDNK Development Director Greg Albrecht for details at (970) 963-0139 or via email: greg@kdnk.org.
KSNO
KSNO is making available FREE to any business, short announcements about adjusted hours, new services or new ways listeners can do business with you. Businesses just need to submit a few sentences detailing their status and how, when and where individuals can do business with them. Businesses will be rotated and no proof of performance will be mailed to individual businesses. Email all announcements to tdobrez@coolradiollc.com
Example: “Bob’s Pizza located on Midland Ave in Basalt is open for carry out during our new hours 3 p.m. till midnight, Wednesday thru Sunday. Call 970-555-5555 or order online at Bobspizza.com. We will deliver or bring out to your car for carry out.”