how's it going? Publicity...building community

Some time ago I was singing the blues about advertising. I admitted that I basically no sooner launched this idea of dsmBUZZ on a web site, then I thought it was time to advertise. Now, only a few months later I've become a savvy entrepreneur and look back with empathy and humor at that silly small business youngin.

It took the sound council and generosity of a few knowledgeable people to get me on the better track (or is that tract?) into the world of public relations. Now I strut around with the confidence of someone who has seen her business make it to the "show" and taken a few stabs at pitching ideas to the press. I like it. I want to get better at it for dsmBUZZ and all the merchants and consumers who are part of the network as we evolve.

dsmBUZZ has had a terrific bout of publicity recently. First we were featured on WHO TV last week. Jon Cahill did a great job of concisely explaining what we do. Then this week we were highlighted in the Business Record which was also nicely done. Results have been great. You'll see several new businesses joining the network. Good for the merchants, the message, and the consumers!

The entrepreneurial lessons of this experience are three-fold.

1) If it takes a village to raise child, then it certainly takes an entrepreneurial community's wisdom to build a business. I'm so thankful for those I've met and continue to meet who are generous with their knowledge and affirmation. My plan is to pay it forward in gratitude.

2)  Make an effort to be newsworthy and then learn to share the news effectively. I enjoy this process and want to get better at doing it.

3) I've also experienced some clarity on the value of dsmBUZZ to merchants and consumers. One of the aspects we bring to the mix of the many options out there for small businesses, is the opportunity for a merchant to be revealed from a source other than themselves and that is powerful. Because they did not pay to participate, many join because they feel the buy locally message is important. This also holds true for the consumers who join. Whether they vacillated on 10 bucks I don't know, but I often hear consumers say that they think this is a worthy message to promote. The goal is to spread the idea that even though we are a business (hopefully for profit some day) the focus is not about money but truly about the mission.

I'm working on my Business Plan so maybe I've got a little bit of Jerry McGuire going on here so I'll leave that thought where it is.

FYI to all of the members and merchants of dsmBUZZ, we invite you to get your "buzz on us" on Friday September 14, from 6:30 to 8 a.m. We will be mingling and swilling coffee at the Grounds for Celebration at 2400 Grand that morning getting to know each other. Please come if you are part of dsmBUZZ or would like to be a part of dsmBUZZ and spread the buy locally owned mission.

As always thanks for reading. I value your interest.

The drawing above is one that David drew last year when we started gelling our ideas and the Small Business Buzz newsletter. I confess I felt cowardly at first but the more great people I meet the more confident I feel...like roaring like a lion..ess. Doesn't David draw great?