Social Media Marketing Example: COS Downtown Partnership Promotes Small Businesses

Wow! If you are interested in the professional application of social media marketing, check out the following link to work done by the Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership.

http://downtown80903.tumblr.com/post/12123139982/downtown-colorado-springs-looks-back-at-some-of

To build credibility, I noticed their use of recognized Colorado Springs leaders Richard Skorman and Susan Edmonson. I thought Susan’s casual, but informed delivery was terrific – instant integrity. Of course they are trying to reach beyond the downtown visitor to potential business owners (their target market) and Skorman’s success and longevity in downtown business speaks to that.

Another social media marketing best practice is to tie your promotion to a news worthy event. Leveraging this campaign on the recent success of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is an excellent example.

I also noticed the Partnership’s use of multiple deliver channels. This piece is on Tumblr and YouTube and it looks like they are building a solid following on Facebook. Further, I found the link to the video on Twitter - @Downtown80903.

Obviously, this promotion is done by professionals and I wonder what their return on investment will be, but in terms of getting ideas on how to apply social media marketing to any business budget, this piece: is targeted; informs and entertains, builds credibility, is news worthy; is cross promotional; and uses multiple delivery channels.

Thanks for listening and please tell me what you think!

COS Small Business Success Allows Access to Solar Energy w/ Minimal Investment

Fact: The majority of electricity we use in Colorado Springs is generated by burning coal.

Do you want to reduce the amount of coal you burn?

First: Conserve. Turn off lights, appliances and phantom loads when not use (behavior). Convert to energy efficient appliances and weatherize your home (technology).

Second: Applaud Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) for aiming to increase the amount of electricity they provide from renewable sources (hydro, wind, solar) to 20% (A State mandate for municipal utilities. Private Colorado utilities are have a 30% mandate.)

Third: If you can afford $1,100, visit MySunShare.com. Colorado Springs Small Business owner, David Amster-Olszewski, is pursuing the development of a unique opportunity which as been called a community solar garden, and can show you how to benefit by investing in solar energy without putting panels on your home. Richard Skorman says:  “Community solar gardens are good for our city, and I trust the people doing this. It’s a good way to reduce our dependence on coal.”

 Visit http://mysunshare.com/ for details.

Want more information? The Colorado Springs Independent wrote: http://www.csindy.com/colorado/garden-city/Content?oid=2380421

A Colorado Springs Small Business Success Story: Neumann Systems Group

Most experts agree that coal will be the foundation of our energy production for the foreseeable future.

Given this, I think, the partnership between the Colorado Springs based Neumann Systems Group, and Colorado Springs Utilities is a small business success story that should be recognized at every opportunity.

Neumann is a Colorado Springs based company that is developing new, more efficient processes for cleaning the emissions from coal-fired power plants. Energy from coal produces well over 50% of the electricity we use in the United States. This story in the Gazette explains their recent success.

http://www.gazette.com/articles/plant-126184-power-contract.html

Where do you want to get your power form?

Science is educational. But when it’s this fun…it’s Cool Science!

Do you know someone who doesn’t like science? It’s probably because they could never see, hear, or touch it and then learn how it effects their every day lives.

Well, you are in luck! There is a terrific, nonprofit, organization here in Colorado Springs called: Cool Science. Founded under the leadership of Jennifer Rivers (a LinkedIn Member), they have been working for years to make science approachable, and more importantly, fun for children and families in the Pikes Peak Region.

Under the current leadership of Marc Straub (also on LinkedIn), this volunteer organization brings you the to the 2nd Annual Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival! Partnering with various venues around Colorado Springs (including, but not limited to: Garden of the Gods, Catamount, the Western Museum of Mining, Jack Quinn’s, and Bristol Brewery – I said it was for the entire family!), during the week of October 15-22, Cool Science will show you; up close and personal, how science impacts your life!

Really, from their eventful, daylong carnival at UCCS, to expertly guided nature hikes, El Paso County Coroner Office tours, and the science of beer, this eventful week has something for everyone.

Oh, by the way…most of the events are free (but you need tickets)! However, if you think science is important to the future of business in Colorado Springs, you should think about donating time or money to Cool Science and their important mission.

Thank you, and here is a link for more information and the schedule of events: http://csscp.org/csfest/

Prominent National Scholar to Speak on History Relevant to Business & Politics

(From a LinkedIn Post in Mid September 2011)

No matter where you stand on management/labor relations, the history of Unions in the United Sates is fascinating and their role in modern American society continues to impact its economics, politics and culture.

In 2010, award wining author, Philip Dray, wrote an encompassing history entitled: There Power in a Union, which has been reviewed as “big”, “bold”, and “gripping.”

Given his research, Mr. Dray has been sought out by national media for comment on current issues relating to Unions. An example of this is in the attached interview from NPR on “Putting Wisconsin's Union Battle In Historical Context.”

Next week, in the evening of September 22nd, the Western Museum of Mining (www.wmmi.org/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=140229) will host Mr. Dray as part of their Heritage Lecture Series. It promises to provide unique insight for historians, and I think, an important overview of this subject for any business owner heading into an election year where our politicians will be discussing this issue.

What do you think?

Link to NPR's Interview with Mr. Dray: 

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/08/134337221/putting-wisconsins-union-battle-in-historical-context

Terrific Interview with SBDC Director, Marcella Hurley, by Bill Radford in The Gazette!

(Linked In Post from September 2011)

In a brief space, Ms. Hurley provided meaningful demographics; an excellent overview of available small business resources; specific advice on managing from the profit and loss statement in this difficult economy; as well as inspiration. (I will use her excellent quote: “The entrepreneurial spirit embodies the willingness to reinvent oneself without loosing core values. The market will always be a moving target. Integrity should not be.” - with attribution of course!) 

If Ms. Hurley can make the time, I’d be interested in learning more, including:

In terms of sustainability, I’d like to get Ms. Hurley’s ideas on natural resource education as it applies to the business community.

I’d be very interested in asking her to expand on her reference to economic initiatives as they pertain to agritourism, and how these ideas might relate to heritage tourism in the Pikes Peak Region.

And of course, I’d be interested in her publishing experience - is she an independent publisher?

In any case, thanks for the work SBDC is doing to support small business in our community, and best wishes to its new Director, Marcella Hurley.

Here is a link to Bill Radford's article: http://www.gazette.com/articles/-123957--.html