Independents Week Action

Here's a sampling of the plans we've learned about from local affiliates (see this page of free Independents Week primers, graphics and templates for more ideas). Not only have the Indie Week pioneers at Tampa IBA expanded their campaign to Independents Month, they already started with with their kick-off bash June 24!

Metro IBA (Mpls/St. Paul) also is celebrating Independents Month with 25 members offering special incentives. One lucky patron will win a $50 gift card to every participating business.

WILL Buy Locally (Will County, IL) is conducting their 2nd annual scavenger hunt at WBL members as part of their Indie Week activities. Prizes include a flat-screen TV and an iPad.

Shop Local Raleigh kicks off with an Independents Week Crawl. Locals who complete a game card by visiting 12 members are entered into a drawing for one of seven shopping sprees at their favorite SLR member! They also will run TV ads to promote the week.

The Louisville IBA is celebrating Independents Week by hosting their 3rd annual Brewfest (including regional wineries as well as brewers). Attendees will be encouraged to sign a “Declaration of Independents,” a pledge to shift some current spending to locally owned businesses. The 2010 Brewfest netted $12,000 profit for LIBA!

Brewfest wristbands include a contest promo and web link, asking participants to tag LIBA on Facebook when they patronize a member business from July 1-7 and note how they are helping keep Louisville weird. Two winners will receive $250 to spend at any LIBA member business. Plan to learn more in person! -- visit Louisville next March for the 2012 AMIBA Conference! Details in our July newsletter.

News You Can Use

Fish Local!  

Indie Appliance Stores Beat Chain Competitors

Consumer Reports magazine recently surveyed more than 16,000 people about their experiences buying major and small appliances from chains, independents and internet-only merchants. As in 2010, independents beat every chain store in overall satisfaction. The results were so similar that our summary from July 2010 summary applies to the latest. The 2011 report, accessible only to their subscribers, is here.

This follows CR's April survey that showed independent pharmacies soundly beat chain drug stores in overall satisfaction. Use news like this (you're welcome to copy from our blurbs) to debunk myths in your own local outreach!)

Tech Tools to Boost Your Business or Organization

Stay Local! is helping member businesses, who might otherwise miss the technology, to utilize rapidly-growing Quick Response (QR) codes, as demonstrated in their Independent Week posters and ads. We plan to share lessons from their experience in an upcoming newsletter. For business owners, we suggest looking online for articles specific to your trade on how to best employ QR codes.

Social Media Toolbars
You've seen social media toolbars that enable users to share web pages via various social media sites. If you're not yet using one, some options for this important marketing tool are highlighted here.