Tips for Approaching Potential Buy Local Supporters: 1:57 pm / 31 October 2005 by chris lempa, at The Radical Whole
Tips for Approaching Potential Buy Local Supporters:
The Business Edition
By Chris Lempa
The Buy Local Club was established to promote Coles County’s local economy. This must be made clear when we approach businesses to ask them for support – monetary or other. Initially we might be seen as another group looking for a hand-out; however, once we explain the mission and goals of our group that will change.
The key to changing people’s opinions lies within explaining ourselves in everyday terms. That is, “supporting the local economy is good for the community.” Of course simply saying it isn’t enough. We must prove it. Fortunately the businesses that we will be approaching are already keen to this idea. Therese Kincaid (owner of What’s Cooking) would rather see us eating Sunday morning breakfast at What’s Cooking then at Cracker Barrel. Her vested interest in her store carries over into supporting the local economy. Of course it’s not always that easy.
While the idea of a strong local economy and business appeals to some people, personal interest appeals to all. We need to let What’s Cooking, Giraffe, Jackson Avenue Coffee, Roc’s, etc, know what we are offering them. Fortunately we are offering them what they want – free advertisement. A common complaint heard amongst Charleston business owners is that student’s don’t realize that there is in fact life north of Lincoln Avenue. Many Charleston residents shop at Wal-Mart because “there is nothing else.” Students can be overheard complaining that Wal-Mart isn’t their first choice or that they miss the variety of consumer choices “back home” – read the Chicagoland area. All of these beliefs remind us that there is a desire, although unrecognized, for our organization.
When approaching business owners, make it clear that we are in existence for the community and that their business is a benefit to Charleston. Our main feature will be the Buyer’s Guide. We have a draft and will be working on updating that very soon. Aside from that, we will be giving presentations in the residence halls on campus and working with the Residence Hall Association (RHA). Both of these will provide free and widespread advertisement amongst a very large demographic.
Further, we will be distributing a newsletter in which we will feature local businesses with priority given to those actively supporting the campaign. Newsletters will be distributed to students and non-students alike.
As we have discussed, the potential for this campaign is endless. From booklets to the Taste of Charleston, these are all ideas that we can make happen with the support of area businesses.
It has been established that the support of local business is critical for the campaign, so how do we get them involved? Asking for a donation can be quite nerve racking and frustrating, especially if you don’t know the potential donor. Here are a few tips to make “the ask” easier:
• Stay calm. If you appear nervous it will give off a sense that you are not confident about the Buy Local Campaign.
• Know what you are going to say and be prepared to answer questions. A major skill is being able to improvise an answer to a difficult question.
• If you cannot answer a question, be honest. Tell them that you will get back to them with an answer, or seek their opinion.
• Let them know that we are already active and what has been done with limited resources.
• Don’t pressure them! If people feel like you are pressuring them, they will be less likely to give us serious long term support. They may be willing to give short term support, but we are looking for more than that.
• Keep long term support in mind. While some businesses are unable to give a lot of monetary support, they may be able to provide other forms of long term support, not necessarily monetary.
• Listen. Don’t be discouraged if the donor suggests other ways in which they can help. We are in need of money, but other resources are important as well. Also, remember that they have been doing this for a while. Surely they have ideas and suggestions to offer.
• Remain positive. A negative outcome doesn’t mean that we have failed. Because of the presentation, the campaign is now on the radar of the business owner. This alone is a major step forward. If they see that we are acting on our promises they may decide to get involved in the future.
The Business Edition
By Chris Lempa
The Buy Local Club was established to promote Coles County’s local economy. This must be made clear when we approach businesses to ask them for support – monetary or other. Initially we might be seen as another group looking for a hand-out; however, once we explain the mission and goals of our group that will change.
The key to changing people’s opinions lies within explaining ourselves in everyday terms. That is, “supporting the local economy is good for the community.” Of course simply saying it isn’t enough. We must prove it. Fortunately the businesses that we will be approaching are already keen to this idea. Therese Kincaid (owner of What’s Cooking) would rather see us eating Sunday morning breakfast at What’s Cooking then at Cracker Barrel. Her vested interest in her store carries over into supporting the local economy. Of course it’s not always that easy.
While the idea of a strong local economy and business appeals to some people, personal interest appeals to all. We need to let What’s Cooking, Giraffe, Jackson Avenue Coffee, Roc’s, etc, know what we are offering them. Fortunately we are offering them what they want – free advertisement. A common complaint heard amongst Charleston business owners is that student’s don’t realize that there is in fact life north of Lincoln Avenue. Many Charleston residents shop at Wal-Mart because “there is nothing else.” Students can be overheard complaining that Wal-Mart isn’t their first choice or that they miss the variety of consumer choices “back home” – read the Chicagoland area. All of these beliefs remind us that there is a desire, although unrecognized, for our organization.
When approaching business owners, make it clear that we are in existence for the community and that their business is a benefit to Charleston. Our main feature will be the Buyer’s Guide. We have a draft and will be working on updating that very soon. Aside from that, we will be giving presentations in the residence halls on campus and working with the Residence Hall Association (RHA). Both of these will provide free and widespread advertisement amongst a very large demographic.
Further, we will be distributing a newsletter in which we will feature local businesses with priority given to those actively supporting the campaign. Newsletters will be distributed to students and non-students alike.
As we have discussed, the potential for this campaign is endless. From booklets to the Taste of Charleston, these are all ideas that we can make happen with the support of area businesses.
It has been established that the support of local business is critical for the campaign, so how do we get them involved? Asking for a donation can be quite nerve racking and frustrating, especially if you don’t know the potential donor. Here are a few tips to make “the ask” easier:
• Stay calm. If you appear nervous it will give off a sense that you are not confident about the Buy Local Campaign.
• Know what you are going to say and be prepared to answer questions. A major skill is being able to improvise an answer to a difficult question.
• If you cannot answer a question, be honest. Tell them that you will get back to them with an answer, or seek their opinion.
• Let them know that we are already active and what has been done with limited resources.
• Don’t pressure them! If people feel like you are pressuring them, they will be less likely to give us serious long term support. They may be willing to give short term support, but we are looking for more than that.
• Keep long term support in mind. While some businesses are unable to give a lot of monetary support, they may be able to provide other forms of long term support, not necessarily monetary.
• Listen. Don’t be discouraged if the donor suggests other ways in which they can help. We are in need of money, but other resources are important as well. Also, remember that they have been doing this for a while. Surely they have ideas and suggestions to offer.
• Remain positive. A negative outcome doesn’t mean that we have failed. Because of the presentation, the campaign is now on the radar of the business owner. This alone is a major step forward. If they see that we are acting on our promises they may decide to get involved in the future.