Do you know your business's history?
Don't wait for an anniversary! Do the research now, and reap
the PR benefits!
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| | Our EBook will help you leverage your anniversary and do your business history now! |
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Can a history trail benefit your business economically?
Absolutely! And it will
also benefit your historical nonprofits, community,
and everyone involved. Here's a "done for you" process to follow.
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 | | Yes, the focus is on women's history trails, but the same ideas apply to any other kind of history trail! |
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Greetings!
Happy New Year, and welcome to the first edition of Connections for 2011!
I promise to keep sending you ideas each week about "business" and "history" and how strategic partnerships between the two "sides" benefit both partners AND the communities you serve. As always, I look forward to hearing from YOU with your results!
2011 promises to be an exciting year for History Smiths, our clients - and, we hope, you! I am just now putting the finishing touches on our newest ebook which provides specific, in-depth strategies for applying history to your marketing, PR, and community outreach. People have been asking for an expanded version of my signature talk and articles, and we will deliver!
My colleague, Thea, and I are also collaborating on a second ebook that's essentially Event Planning 101 but with a historical twist. Any of you who have done event planning know how stressful it can be, and often that's because the devil is in the details. Our book will remove a whole lot of that stress because we will give you steps to follow, helpful procedures, protocol, and checklists. Easy!
What else is coming up? More talks, video, radio, cable TV appearances, teleseminars, live seminars...and proud bragging about our clients, one of whom will soon announce their 100th anniversary.
So...lots coming up, and we'd love to work with you!
Be well, and be in touch!
 BonnieP.S. Looking ahead to Valentine's Day and Women's History Month (March), what are your plans? Consider that people (your customers) LOVE their local history, and that most communities don't know enough about their women's history. Both provide terrific opportunities for you! Call me to brainstorm ideas! |
History Marketing IS Co-marketing,
and the Opportunities are Huge!
 | | The Institution for Savings in Ipswich, MA, was one of the community banks that strongly supported the town's 375th anniversary |
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
History marketing is by its very nature a form of co-marketing. No matter what the project or initiative, your history partner(s) and you will be marketing to each others' audiences. What a terrific opportunity for you to connect with new people! Some examples: · If your business is backing a town-wide historical event such as a town anniversary, the birthday of your founder, or the commemoration of a significant historical event, you will market the event to your list, and the town will promote your business through its own outreach efforts. You could potentially reach many thousands of people with a relatively small investment! Just be sure to find out exactly how the town does its marketing, where, when, and how your business name will appear (insist on tight control of your own information), and how your business can be visible beyond just adding your logo and name somewhere. Can you serve on a committee? Write a pitch letter about your involvement to encourage others? Write a letter to the editor of your local paper about your support? Having your own town as your marketing partner is pretty powerful! (continued)
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How History Can Help Your Business
Stand Out in the Crowd!
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
Every business (for-profit and nonprofit) is marketing like crazy today. Online, offline, we're all at it. -- some better than others. But we're all kind of doing the same things, aren't we? Now, consider the fact that using history as a strategic marketing tool is DIFFERENT - and that alone will make you stand out in the crowd! Here are some ideas to get you going: · Learn your business history. Please don't wait for an anniversary, because there are stories to be told and opportunities to connect with new audiences just waiting for you. This is especially true if you're an older business or if you're a family business. People really do love to know your unique story! Tell it proudly on your website, in your marketing materials, and onsite. Find key dates (like your founder's birthday) and use those as excuses for press releases, special events, and special offers. (continued)
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"When I knew my company was going to celebrate its 100th anniversary, I wanted to do something lasting and meaningful. I contacted Bonnie at History Smiths because I knew she had the ability and reputation to do the historical research on my family-owned business, and the marketing skills to create a brochure, display, and media materials. My existing customers were delighted, and I attracted new clients because of the attention we received."
-Paul K. Soucy, Soucy Insurance Agency, Inc.
"When my colleague Jim Whidden and I decided to develop an educational seminar to teach people the right way to restore an old house, we knew we would need marketing help from someone who was plugged into the history community. We wanted to reach historical societies, public libraries, and the kinds of audiences they attract. Bonnie had a fine reputation in the local historical community, and knew how to promote, which is an unusual combination. She also helped us with some of the local historical content. Within a year, we held a dozen or so seminars throughout our target region, attracted over 200 people, media attention, and new customers. We were thrilled."
-Mathew Cummings, Cummings Architects, LLC
"Bonnie brings knowledge, people skills, a cooperating persona and deep technical competence to her projects ... the 375th was a much better celebration for melding Bonnie's ideas into the year long program in 2009."
-Nat Pulsifer, Chair, Ipswich, MA 375th Anniversary Celebration
"I was chief representative of the Massachusetts National Guard in the effort to debut Armory Park in Salem Massachusetts in 2001. Ms. Bonnie Smith was my counterpart on behalf of the Peabody Essex Museum. Due largely to her extensive expertise, energy and tact, the project concluded with complete success. The dedication, parade and black tie social event shed much positive publicity on the City of Salem, the Peabody Essex Museum, and the Massachusetts National Guard."
-Brig. General Albert A. Mangone, Massachusetts National Guard
"Bonnie Hurd Smith is a thoughtful writer who brings a strong sense of integrity and commitment to any project. She can always be counted on to go wherever the research leads her. Bonnie thoroughly researches the subjects - and that paired with her knowledge of history and strong interviewing skills provide wonderfully insightful, well written stories. She is a pleasure to work with."
-Caroline Forrester, Editor, North Shore Life and Northwest Life, GateHouse Media
"Your book has arrived. Bravo! Bravo! What a monumental, worthy, welcome piece of work. You did it and it looks great. And what long-range value it will have - there's really no way to measure how far and lasting its reach will be, and all because you did it. Warmest congratulations and fond regards."
-David McCullough, Pulitzer prize-winning author (upon receiving Bonnie's book The Letters I Left Behind: Judith Sargent Murray Papers, Letter Book 10)
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