MENDOCINO Co., 5/9/19 — Summertime is often Mendocino County’s busiest time of year, especially for the retailers, restaurants, and other small businesses that fill up with tourists during our warmest months. To help business owners get ready for the rush, West Business Development Center is holding a free workshop on May 17 in Fort Bragg with retail marketing expert Marc Willson.
The free workshop will take place at the Fort Bragg Town Hall from 1 – 3 p.m. on May 17, and is sponsored by West Business Development Center, Visit Mendocino, and the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce. Here’s more information about the event.
To get you prepared, here’s some additional tips from Willson, and more information in the flyer below.
Here’s Willson’s top ten tips for tourist season:
Final-Get-Ready-for-the-2019-Tourist-Season_May-17_-Fort-BraggTen Tips to Get Your Store, Restaurant or Lodging Establishment on The Map
by Marc Willson, Independent Retail Expert
Get ready for the 2019 tourist season with these ten tips.
Small business owners need to start thinking outside the box and learning to implement new business strategies. I love teaching small businesses how to do just that.
Marc Willson’s Ten Tips to Retail, Restaurant and Lodging ReadinessGet found. The number one businesses today are found is on the internet. Make sure your Google business listing, your Yelp and Trip Advisor listings are updated and up to par. Pro tip: If you don’t have a Google listing go to https://www.gybo.com/ to create a listing for free.
Use social media. Pick two platforms you are comfortable with and post every day or every other.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly. This is a non-negotiable in the new economy.
Be open when your customers want to shop. Extend your hours, offer specials, have an event.
Get a customer testimonial from everyone who comes into your establishment. How? Just ask. Offer a discount for testimonials or other extra benefit.
Cooperate, don’t compete. Partner up with other small businesses in your area to cross-market. Host events together, create a merchants association.
Be patient. It usually takes businesses two to three years to turn a profit.
Be known for something. What is it that you do and do so well?
Small establishments in small town are entertainment – how can you entertain your customer?
Be flexible. The best laid plans will change and morph with time, changing market conditions. Do experiments, test new things out and measure your results.
Marc Willson will be speaking at this free event: “Get Ready for the 2019 Tourist Season”, Friday, May 17, 2019, 1:00 PM 3:00 PM at Fort Bragg Town Hall, 363 N Main Street, Fort Bragg. Sponsored by West Business Development Center, Visit Mendocino and Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce.
For more information go to: https://www.westcenter.org/workshops/2019/5/17/get-ready-for-the-2019-tourist-season