|
|
|
|
|
I am PASSIONATE about history as a source of information and inspiration.
But I am also PURPOSEFUL about history because, used strategically, it can PROFIT you, your business, or organization in ways you can't even imagine.
That's what we do at History Smiths: We find those connections for you -- connections that benefit you AND the communities you serve.
Check us out, be inspired, and be in touch!
-Bonnie Hurd Smith, CEO
   
|
|
|
What clients
are saying...
""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.,
Salem, MA "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."
-Nat Pulsifer, Chair, Ipswich, MA 375th Anniversary Celebration "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 She also helped us with some of the local historical content.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, Ipswich, MA "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 "When The Salem Partnership needed a first class interim executive director, a search led us to Bonnie Hurd Smith who was hired to fill that need. Bonnie brought considerable skills in management, organization and follow through to the Partnership and her interim status lead to a one-and-a -half -year stint as director. With her skills, we were able to begin $400M of state funded economic projects to Salem."
-Biff Michaud, president, Salem Partnership and CEO, Salem Witch Museum, Salem, MA
|
|
|
|
How do you "do" your business history? I give you easy steps to follow -- and ideas about what to do next!
| 
|
|
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.
| 
|
|
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.
| 
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
If you need more "attention" in your personal life, I'm sorry, I can't really help you...but I CAN help with ideas for your public relations campaign that will get you attention for your business or organization! Too often, small businesses and organizations let PR and marketing slide because they just don't have the time or expertise and I know that's frustrating for them/you. Believe me, I do. But here are some time-tested ideas you can pretty easily put into place. OR, given time and frustration issues, call me for help! Happy Mother's Day to one and all, and thanks to everyone who bought books from me for their Mom. Let me know what she thinks! We've been having rain here in Ipswich, which does not stop me from my morning walks but I do wish it would stop already! Gorgeous gardens all along the way, though, and the plants seem happy - which counts. Be well, and be in touch! 
Bonnie
|
Are You Getting Enough Attention?
 | | You know what you're doing, and you deserve some attention! |
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
Especially for small businesses and nonprofits, the answer is usually "No."
They don't have enough (or any) PR and marketing staff, they can't afford an agency, and the owner or director doesn't have the time to do what needs to be done to attract media attention and potential customers.
They are very good at what they do, but PR and marketing are outside of their realm of their expertise.
It's such a shame, because it works!
And just think for a moment - in an unusual twist - how "history" can be part of your PR plan. Here are some specific ideas I hope you can implement.
Each one of them would involve a press release, messages sent out via social media and event-related websites, a prominent posting on your own website (and how is it, by the way?), something "physical" like a flier or poster widely distributed in your community, to your existing clients, and onsite, announcements made at community meetings (Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, etc.), personal calls to centers of influence (COIs) in your community asking them to attend (and ask if you can let others know they're coming), and onsite promotion at your place of business and outside if you can.
* Celebrate the anniversary of your founding (every five years).
* Celebrate your founder's birthday (can you get the family involved?).
* Celebrate a national holiday with a special promotion (especially if there's a local connection; did George Washington pass through your town? Play up his birthday!).
* Piggy-back on a community celebration (others will do some of the marketing for you!).
* Support a popular local history initiative (you will be a local hero).
* Contact your local historical society, museum, or public library and help create a local history initiative (often, these places have projects on their wish list they can't afford to do).
Here's what will happen. The media will pay attention to you because you are showing an interest in local history. Spun right, and using a terrific spokesperson and good writing, you will get the attention you so well deserve from the media, your loyal customers, and new customers.
But you can't stop there! Think of ways to reward people for coming in as a result of your media campaign. And what's the next, related piece of news you can send out there?
Repetition counts. Think of your next big PR idea as the start of a campaign and map out ideas for the rest of the year. Some of the ideas listed above seem like one-shot-deals, but they don't have to be. Once you establish your interest in local history, you can "milk it" for years to come, and you will establish a wonderful reputation!
Enjoy it!
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
History Smiths believes in the three P's of History -- Passion, Purpose, and Profit. If you think about and use history
with PURPOSE and PASSION, you, your business, or organization will PROFIT in ways you can't even imagine!
|
|
|
|
|
|
