Marketing Your Downtown

Marketing Your DowntownWDAC October 20, 2011 Josephine Minskey, Executive DirectorDowntown West Bend Association

ADVERTISINGThe activity of attracting public attention to a product or business by paid announcements in the print, broadcast or electronic media. 2

Country Life Magazine Fall 2011PROMOTIONA message issued on behalf of some product, cause, person, activity or institution. 4

Event flyer- Fall Fest 20115BRANDINGA trademark or distinctive name identifying a product or manufacturer. 6

DWBA Logo- Created 2000MARKETINGThe process or technique of promoting, selling and/or distributing a product or service. 8

Agree on an objective

Be unique

Develop a plan

Put the plan in motion

Be consistent

10The 5 Commandments of Marketing Your DowntownKnow thyselfKnow thy nicheKnow thy target marketLove thy neighborTo thy own downtown be true

11Know thyselfWest Bend, Beloit, Whitewater, Pewaukee, Wausau, Port Washington, Two Rivers, Sheboygan ***fill in your town here*** is special because it is HistoricalFriendlyClean/SafeVibrant

13UNIQUE

West Bend Theater 15

Museum of Wisconsin Art

Washington Co. Historical Society, Old Courthouse and Museum 17Know thy niche18

Music on Main 2011

26th Annual West Bend Germanfest (2011) Know thy target market. 213 elements define target marketGeographicWhere do the people who come downtown live? Downtown? In the city? Are you a tourist town? College town? Tailor your message and the method of delivery accordingly. If you are a tourist town, a regular e-blast will keep you in the hearts and minds of your target market more effectively than an ad in the local paper during the off season. Demographic-What is the average age of your downtown user? Are you a college town with an influx of 18-21 year olds? A tourist area catering to families on vacation, empty nesters or boomers? Identify this, and you can personalize a message and method of delivery that speaks to each group individually and effectively.

Behavioral How often do the same people use your downtown? Do you have a large service industry- banks and insurance company employees who come to work downtown every day and shop, have lunch and possibly a drink or bite to eat after work? Or does the majority of your traffic come down once a week for your farmers market or summer concert series?

Love thy neighbor. 25To thy own downtown be true.26