Have You Told Your Story Lately?

By Laura Krizov, Manager
Michigan Main Street Center
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
 
We are in the home stretch of finishing Year End Evaluations for our Michigan Main Street Communities.  A related theme that has come up across the board with all our Main Street communities is that they are not telling their story often and to enough people.

Many of our communities are doing great things from retaining and recruiting business to holding special events and festivals or retail events that get the cash registers ringing to making sure the downtown looks great from a physical standpoint. But, the one big thing communities often forget telling their story about all the things that are happening in their community. It is important during these economic times for organizations to be reminded of this. In most cases, organizations get so busy-wrapped up in the day-to-day work that they forget everything else that is going on. We have to make sure that we are letting everyone know what we are doing and why we are doing it.

Many of our Main Street communities say that they have trouble finding volunteers for their programs. If Main Street programs don’t let the locals know what is going on, then how do the locals know what they could be getting involved in? This is a great time for local communities to broadcast on their website, newspaper, newsletter or word of month on where they need volunteers and what types of great projects volunteers do.

There are several great ideas that our communities do to get the word out about their programs. Howell Main Street is one of our shining stars when it comes to getting the word out. Their Organization committee has partnered with their local library and put an insert in their library newsletter talking about what they are up to and asking for volunteers. Their Economic Restructuring committee does the “Howell’s Happening Live”, where they invite all the downtown businesses, property owners and anyone that has an interest in their downtown to hear what they are doing. They talk about the number of new jobs that have been created, number of new businesses opened, private investment that has happened and other key statistics.

Another great idea that Main Street Calumet does is put together an annual report focusing on the projects that have been completed and talking about their key statistics that have taken place over the last year. They then use it as a promotional piece for the program along with trying to fundraise for their program.

Many of our communities use their websites, Facebook pages and Twitter accounts to tell their story along with a way to recruit volunteers for specific projects. Several of communities have put together a list of “hot jobs” for volunteers along with a way to communicate to the community all the great things that are happening in and around downtown.

When the townspeople don’t know what’s going on in their downtown, it is vital that the Main Street program steps up public relations activities. Now is the perfect time for them to tell their stories and get people involved in their local program.