Merchant advice from "Retail Visioning"

FIRST…a website.

written December 2011

tags: Facebook, SEO, Social Media, Twitter, Website

by ChristineMoynihan

 

I am all for Social Media.  I love Facebook and Twitter. But first you need a good looking and search engine optimized (SEO) website.  Too many retailers have jumped over the need to have a good website and headed straight to a Facebook page or Twitter account.  For ease? For cost?  Whatever the reason, if YOU skipped this step I would encourage you to rethink the value of a website.   Research shows that the website is where it all begins!

Social media certainly appears instantly valuable to small businesses like retail stores because it is FREE and because you control it, pushing offers out to “followers” or “friends” when it suits YOU.   Social media does help build loyalty – a desirable yet elusive characteristic of customers these days – but it does not reach NEW customers.   Recent research shows that in early 2011 social media accounted for only 1% of the information people got about local businesses.  If you include restaurants, nightclubs and bars that increased to 3% but that is still fairly insignificant.   For more information you can read an article about this athttp://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2011/12/research-says-social-media-is-not-the-place-people-get-local-business-data.html

So where do they get information?   Search engines.  Google, Yahoo, Foursquare, etc. are STILL the places people go to find what they want.  And how do YOU get found through these search engines?  With a website that understands and makes good use of the words customers will search for!   There are other website characteristics that will also move your site up in Google or Yahoo rankings.   Some of those include how long you have had your website up, how rich the content is (with images, videos, etc.) and how many links there are to your site (even a link to Mapquest for directions to your store will help!) – but start thinking about what customers might be looking for and be sure those KEYWORDS will direct people to your site.  The more specific you are the higher the likelihood will be that the “searcher” will convert and become a customer.   For example from weak to strong:

Apparel…Women’s Apparel…Women’s Large-sized Apparel…Women’s Large-sized Apparel Newton, MA

I would encourage you to pay attention to what social media tools might work best for you and learn about how you could link a Facebook page or Twitter account to your website and make offers to those customers who DO find you.    But check out your own website for good quality SEO and help them find you FIRST!  For more information about keywords talk to your web developer or check out www.wordtracker.com or www.wordstream.com *

*Any suggestions to investigate resources for more information should not be construed as an endorsement of those sites, publications or products by either Christine Moynihan or RetailVisioning.

Downtown census

Friends of Norwood Center is developing a data base of Downtown businesses. 

We'll be coming around this month to gather information. 

The feedback we receive will help us direct our energies where it's most needed. Using the Downtown Steering Committee's commissioned Master Plan suggestions as a starting point, events will be catered to the specific needs from business and resident feedback. 

FNC photo of recent building improvements at the Washington Street/Cottage Street corner block.
Storefronts include Common Cafe' and Patisserie, Charles Barber Shop, Funky Nails, and House of Style Premier Salon. 

As a business owner: What would help you most?

As a resident: What do you want in your Downtown?

We want to know!

Comment on this blog or email norwoodcenter@gmail.com

Thanks for your time and information!

2012 Resolution for FNC

The Friends of Norwood Center is starting 2012 filled with excitement on what is possible for the new year. In a recent interview, Kim Weineck, FNC's Downtown Manager, was asked her wish for 2012.

FNC President, Jeanne Babel, discusses Downtown Norwood with some Perks customers

"Friends of Norwood Center wishes for a strong a involved membership of both residents and business for our inaugural year. We hope to bring people downtown through community events for everyone's enjoyment."

Downtown Norwood, December 30, 2011

With your help, we'll have a vibrant and relevant Norwood Center!

Happy New Year from FNC

Wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2012 

Norwood Center Circle of Hope, December 2011
photo Julie Vecchio, Custom Art Framing

From the Friends of Norwood Center

Our mission and our manager

December 2011

Good things are happening in Norwood Center!

Our Mission:

The Friends of Norwood Center (FNC) is a nonprofit organization working to develop, build and strengthen the downtown experience and vitality for the entire community.  We strive to be a voice supported by the merchants and residents to make Norwood Center relevant and vibrant.

Our Manager:

We’d like you to meet Kim Weineck, FNC’s new Downtown Manager. Kim considers her role an advocacy position for merchants in Norwood Center and her focus is on bringing people and activities to Norwood’s downtown.  

Kim’s background as a small-business owner means she understands the perspective of the merchant. She wants to turn ideas into community happenings. During the interview process, Kim described her vision of working together as a connector and facilitator for merchants and residents. She’ll be coming by to introduce herself to the downtown merchants soon and welcomes your feedback.

Our Contact Information:

Where you can find and contact the FNC

Website:   www.norwoodcenter.blogspot.com

Facebook:  facebook.com/norwoodcenter

Twitter:   @NorwoodCenter

Linkedin:   Friends of Norwood Center

Email:  norwoodcenter@gmail.com

The FNC welcomes your suggestions, thoughts, and comments!

Downtown Norwood survey

Please take a moment to complete this brief survey about how you use Norwood center.

Your feedback is important to us!
Thank you for your time.

 Click here to take survey

FNC Downtown Manager

Welcome to the Friends of Norwood Center website!

We're delighted you found us and are looking forward to posting all the exciting goings-on of our active organization. 

One of the first things the Board of Friends of Norwood Center set to accomplish was hiring a Downtown Manager, and I was hired December, 2011 and have been diligently working to get FNC systems up and running. 

The Norwood Record profiled me as the Downtown Manager in their December 8, 2011 edition:

(Article quoted below as it appears in the Norwood Record)

Friends of Center introduces new downtown manager

Dan Kobialka, Staff Reporter, Norwood Record

     New Friends of Norwood Downtown Manager Kim Weineck outlined the group's goals and objectives at the Downtown Steering Committee's Dec. 1 meeting.
     Weineck noted her primary focus remains helping the Friends develop a mission statement. 

     "Basically, the priority is getting a nice, cohesive vision so we can answer the question "what is the Friends of Norwood Center about?" Weineck said.

     Weineck, a North Attleborough resident, was named the Friend's Downtown Manager last month. She has served as Gallery Director of Norwood's Custom Art Framing & Gallery 9 for the past three years. 

     The downtown manager's job description emphasized the applicant would be 'responsible for promoting  enhancing, strengthening, and improving the economic vitality, visual appearance of Norwood Center as designated in the Downtown Norwood Master Plan."

     Weineck has worked as a freelance artist, designer and instructor in North Attleborough, launched her own art gallery  in Walpole and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Massachusetts College of Art.

     "Being a merchant herself, she understands that mentality,' Friends President Jeanne Babel said, referring to Weineck's experience as a vendor. 

     The Friends have hired Weineck to work on a part time basis, and she will work 15 to 20 hours weekly. 

Weineck said she intends to remain accessible to Norwood residents and merchants, working at least one full day in public areas while hitting the towns' streets as well.

     "I'll be a connecting possibility for people," Weineck told the Downtown Steering Committee.

Babel said at least 10 candidates interviewed for the position.
     Weineck said she interviewed three times with the Friends before being offered the position. 

Downtown Steering Committee Chairman Jean Taylor said she was thrilled with the Friends' downtown manager hiring.

     "I think you're going to be fantastic," Taylor told Weineck at Thursday's Downtown Steering committee meeting.

     Weineck noted the Friends will continue fundraising efforts as the group continues to grow. In addition, the Friends plan to host a launch event, possibly in April.

     Babel noted Weineck boasts extensive event planning and social media experience to help her succeed as the group's downtown manager. 

     The Friends will continue to listen to views and opinions from the local community as it attempts to help the downtown area flourish.

     "We're open to any ideas that anyone has, " Babel said.
     The Friends have followed the example set by the Dedham Square Circle, a Dedham non-profit organization created in 2006 to preserve the town's history while rejuvenating its business and economic development.

     Babel said the Friends, a five member group, will meet at least once a month.

     Babel noted the Friends have been approved by the Commonwealth as a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. The group has set up a bank account to receive donations, and continues to make strides within the local community. 

     "We've set up some of the organization things so we can move on," Babel said.

     Babel noted the Friends will need a group effort to continue to be successful, and encouraged downtown vendors to work together to remain viable.

     "We want them to all be on the same side," Babel said, referring to the downtown merchants. 

     Babel said the Friends had received at least $13,000 in donations to date. The town has matched the group's donations.
     In addition, the Friends have launched a website and a Facebook page featuring information about their organization. 

For up-to-date information on FNC, please check here as well as on our Facebook page here. 

We welcome your ideas and commentary! Please feel free to email norwoodcenter@gmail.com or leave a comment here on this site after each post. We'll get back to you quickly!

Thanks for your interest in Norwood Center. We're glad you have found us and hope you'll check back often!