Go! Support the local angle
May 10th, 2008 by Purple13
As if we weren’t busy enough here at Fabulous Photo Gifts, I also do a bit of web design for other local companies.Recently, a chance meeting with an old colleague, she told me she was starting a local community magazine - mix of local stories and advertisers etc.
So I offered to do a website design and now she’s coming up on issue 7 (she publishes every two months)!
My point is that these local publications do offer local people a chance to keep up to speed with the activities and events, services and businesses local to them that perhaps they were unaware of before.
Of course we advertise in it and get our share of local response. The wider picture is that the next time you get such a publication through your door, don’t bin it! It’s a handy reference - hers has doctors and schools numbers etc as well as all the local clubs and community groups and their contact details.
Of course i’m chuffed because she thinks the websites marvelous and its been well received by our local community - so much so that i’m going to suggest a blog to her to publish all the little one off snippets that don’t make the regular pages on the website.
What do you think? Do you get a local publication round your way? Has it helped you?(here’s the link to her site - http://www.allthingslocal.co.uk)
we get a local newsletter at the supermarket it cost us $1.00 and is published over in Strahan and since we are over here for the most fed up with hearing about them we rarely buy it….
the School newsletter is a far better source of everything and what isnt in there you find out in the carpark…
lol…
ha ha aussie - its melting here in derbyshire at the moment - i have some junk mail that i’m fanning myself with whilst sipping a nice cup of tea.
Even got the outdoor swing seat cushions out so it must be warm!
Actually its abit like battle of the planets here today - lucy (12) is having her birthday party - music and trampoline/garden fun with a gaggle of girls and next door are having the full family bar-b-que for their two year olds birthday - green day versus bob the builder - hey! i might even blog about that!
Purple13’s last blog post..Fabulous Photo Gifts new website design goes live
Sound like a fun time
For Moppets B’day we go to the park they have BBQ’s
throw sausages on the barbie, spend the day before making patty cakes and then in the morning Fairy bread and crisps, lollies…
turn up at the park let the kids run around on the swings etc.. play a few games… they get picked up no mess no fuss all has had fun and we pack up and go home.. to a cuppa..
works well….. heheheheheh
It is freezing down here a cold blast I reckon from the Antarctic has arrived and its sitting on about 6C at 11.30am brrrrrrrr
have fun at the party… they are great fun even if thomas is next door.. hehehehhe
Hi Purple and thanks for the homely post when we’re getting amongst it in Thailand…
Dubai as a place lacks a sense of community and purpose on the surface as its so transient and has a ‘ just one more year’ feel to it.
Like any media provided its targeted to the right people and those behind it ‘ tell ‘em, tell ‘ em and tell’ em again’ with chances for others to give dialogue / feedback / have their say in whatever medium that is then it’s gotta work…..
We’d ask though - do you now the reach of the mag, the vision, the purpose or will it be one of those that remains read only by the over 50’s as it ends up in the letter rack for months? so - ‘useful’ information as you say is the key - why not include a section / end of scribe note asking for feedback, ideas & contests (sponsored by local shops for example)….
More community group will inevitably come together off line as well as the endless groups on Facebook.
We all like to feel part fo something - especially something with a flower on the cover!
Hi Jim - oh she has loads of competitons in the mag itself - including a recommend a local person for a bouquet of flowers from a local advertiser and we’ve offered our own competition prize a couple of issues ago.
Her cause is noble - to promote local businesses to a local community - there are sound ecological reasons behind that - carbon foot prints and all - but it makes sense to shop on your doorstep for services.
Purple13’s last blog post..Problems getting your image to upload - try these tips
It looks like it’s well on the way Purple,
Good luck with it and a great place to position your brand!
A contest in the mag for a freebie courtesy of Fab Phtot gifts?
I don’t live in UK but somehow I really like the concept..
Nur Sarah Lam’s last blog post..The Story of Stuff
There are a million and one different publications I recieve in my mailbox daily…..most I chuck out…total waste of paper. On another note though I used to be a salesperson selling the advertising space within these publications…..gives one a different perspective totally.
Mighty Morgan’s last blog post..Addicts Anthem
Hi Mighty - nice to see you back.
I used to sell business advertising too so I too see it from both sides. Luckily, the editor reaises that she has a loyal following of adverisers now so the key is more local news.
Purple13’s last blog post..Problems getting your image to upload - try these tips
if you want to make it popular include a playmate of the month thing, an adult contact section and a massage parlour review
it will shift no trouble
Or at least a rude-word search.