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I am passionate about history -- as a source of information, inspiration, AND ways to benefit your business or organization.
That's what we do at History Smiths: We help you find meaningful ways to embed history into your marketing and PR to benefit you AND the communities you serve.
Check us out, be inspired, and be in touch!
-Bonnie Hurd Smith, CEO
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If your business or organization is about to celebrate an anniversary, please don't just throw a party! We'll show you how
to really leverage this important event.
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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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Greetings!
I would like to share with you the idea that "history is personal." Frankly, I have so much to say on the subject I'll be doing at least a three-parter! Here, I started off by talking about how to personalize the story of the founder of your business or organization in ways that will draw people to you. I use an example from my own work, and I think you will see what I mean. (You may also watch it here on video.) And I also have a special message for my history friends - and there are lots of you on this list! - and by that I mean staff, volunteers, board members, trustees, and members of historical organizations. If you are connected to a historical organization in any way, please read Article #2 because I offer some ideas for new revenue streams. As many of you know, I am deeply concerned about the state of our small historical organizations and I want to help. Meanwhile, it appears that the sun is trying to break out after days and days of rain, and I am off for a walk on the beach! Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope you enjoy this material.
Be well, and be in touch!
Bonnie P.S. If you'd like to learn more about my forthcoming book on doing your business history, I go into a lot of detail here. I include a special section called "Finding Your Founder!" |
History is Personal, Especially if It's Family:
Telling the Story of Your Founder
 | | Are you telling the story of your founder in an engaging way? |
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
Or, let's put it this way, the more you can MAKE history personal by telling stories that people can connect with, the more people will be drawn to you.
How does this play out in terms of telling your business history, or your organization's history?
Well, I'll tell you a quick true story.
I was recently hired by a business owner whose insurance agency was about to celebrate its 100th anniversary. This man was the fourth generation owner of the company. It was started by his great-grandfather, passed on to his grandmother, then to his father, and then to him.
When he contacted me, he said, "Bonnie, I don't just want to throw a party, I want to do something meaningful and lasting that will honor my family and tell our customers more about who we are."
Now I KNOW, that you are already drawn into the story!
So, I set about doing a lot of family research and genealogy because there were a lot of missing pieces. I got his family back to French Canada, or New France, where my client's great-grandfather came from, and even back to France.
Moving forward, I found out why they came to the community they did - Salem, Massachusetts, and how it was that a newly arrived immigrant set up a small storefront and launched an insurance agency. (Continued here)
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New Revenue Streams for Historical Nonprofits
 | | Researcher working on a business history -- and getting paid well! |
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by Bonnie Hurd Smith
Some of you reading this know that I have spent many years in the historical community as the board president of a historic house museum, as the director of a historical society, as a board member, volunteer, consultant, service provider....Point being, I am well familiar with the challenges all of you face. I faced them too, and I have the scars to prove it!
However - and I say this out of love and concern - I am also well aware of the opportunities that too many small historical organizations don't take advantage of.
I am aware of the "poverty mentality," the limiting mindset, and the overwhelming feeling that it's all too much - you will never have enough money, time, or people to do what needs to be done.
Meanwhile, historic houses languish, archives and collections are not properly cared for, membership dwindles, volunteers age and pass on....My God, how depressing!
But here's the thing. I just don't think it has to be this way - I really don't -- and I'll bet you don't either. (Continued here)
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Do you have a question about how history can benefit your business, organization, or you personally? I would love to hear it, and I would love to answer it!
I might even feature your business or organization here, because others could benefit from the information!
If you're a nonprofit, you are also a business. Ask away! And if you're a historical nonprofit, do you have questions about how what we do can provide you with new revenue streams?
Please be in touch with your question!
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