From the Directors Desk:

I am fresh off the road, this month, I have assisted The City of Marshall at the St. Louis Boat and outdoor show and attended the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs conference. It is amazing to me, how well known Marshall is! We are doing great things! Keep up the good work team!

Well, we have finally turned a corner, and spring has officially sprung! Besides the promise of warmer weather and brighter colors, spring is the ideal season to connect with your customers. If you had a less-than-stellar season this winter, now is the time to get things hopping again!

Let’s face it, lots of folks hibernate during winter. But when the sunshine graces us with warmer temperatures, they start to make plans and embrace life. An energetic new campaign could be just what they need to engage your products or services in the new season.

Here are a few ideas to help your small business get noticed during the spring season.
HOLIDAYS
During spring, it feels like the holidays are stacked on top of each other. This gives a business a number of marketing opportunities. Tether your spring marketing campaigns to one of the holidays that fall during the season, such as Easter, Passover, May Day or Mother’s Day. Know your target market so the holiday you choose to tie your message to strongly appeals to prospects and clients. Implement promotional ideas to build traffic, such as if you own a floral shop, offer a “buy one, get one at 50 percent discount” on May Day bouquets.

If you own a physical store or office, you can easily give it a feeling of spring. Decorate with brighter colors, flowers, and other things associated with spring. A beautiful storefront will draw people closer.

Don’t forget about your website! Tweak the layout to give it a different look for spring. By updating your look according to the seasons and holidays you show that you are on top of things and pay attention.

WARM WEATHER
After the long, cold winter, people yearn to spend more time outside. If you run a restaurant or coffee shop or café, put some tables outside so you can meet the demand for outdoor seating.

Tweak your offerings to include food and items that evoke spring. People tend to want to eat differently in the spring than in the dead of winter. Offer up salads and smoothies to celebrate springs arrival.

EARTH DAY
Something almost magical happens as spring approaches. Even the most hardcore city person seems to get closer to nature. We notice the flowers and the new leaves on the trees. We might even plant something. It’s a natural human instinct to be drawn to life itself when it returns in abundance.

April 22 is Earth Day. This day celebrates mother Earth and support the environment. People are becoming more and more aware of environmental issues. The spring months give ample occasions to show support for the environment. You can organize a clean-up event for a park or work with communities or organizations in your area to address local environmental issues. Not only will you support a good cause but you will also get your name out there and connect with your customers.

EVENTS AND MARKETS
Spring is also a season of outdoor events and markets. This can be a great chance for a company or small business to attract customers.

Even if you don’t sell anything at this event, you have gotten people to notice you and remember your name. Companies and businesses can accomplish a lot by promoting consistent brand recognition. The next time an event attendee is in need of your products or services, your name will pop up in their head.

Sometimes the press will be at these events and you might get a chance to be interviewed for a newspaper or TV. Two very good ways to get the word out for your company.

GET SOCIAL
No one can deny the impact social media has on people today. However, you decide to market yourself this spring, make use of social media to reach your customers. Update your Facebook page or Instagram account often. Tweet about the weather and what you have to offer. Wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day.

If you are excited and happy for spring — show it!
Happy Spring,
Jennifer Bishop


March 2020
Renewed Investors Diepholz Website Francis & Associates Website Farnsworth Group Lincoln Trail Family Restaurant Website Lakeland College Website Kindergarten Round Up March 2020 Chamber Board Meeting 03/02/2020 Marshall Main Street Cash Bingo 03/03/2020 Gaslight Art Colony- Mardi Gras Party 03/07/2020 Daylight Savings Time 03/08/2020 Wendy's Ribbon Cutting 03/10/2020 Marshall Main Street Cash Bingo-Glow Bingo 03/14/2020 St. Patrick's Day 03/17/2020 Little Book Beginners 03/19/2020 Logan Eitel-Edward Jones Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting 03/19/2020 First Day of Spring 03/20/2020 Gaslight Art Colony Artist Reception 03/21/2020 Marshall Main Street Spring Fling Vendor Event 03/21/2020 Workforce Development Roundtable 03/27/2020 Enerstar Annual Meeting 03/28/2020 Bingo for Seniors Kindergarten Round Up Marshall Public Library Click here to get the Marshall Public Library Newsletter Census 2020 Census Day is April 1st! It's vitally important that every person is counted! Each person not counted in the Census could cost Illinois, Clark County and even Marshall hundreds of thousands of dollars. These dollars could potentially cut vital services in our community such as Medicaid, highways, and programs that help rural communities. If Illinoisans are not counted during the upcoming 2020 Census, fewer resources will come to the state. Illinois is also at risk of losing two congressional seats.	Fit Foodie Tri/5K Career Fair Workforce Development Roundtable From the Directors Desk: I am fresh off the road, this month, I have assisted The City of Marshall at the St. Louis Boat and outdoor show and attended the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs conference. It is amazing to me, how well known Marshall is! We are doing great things! Keep up the good work team! Well, we have finally turned a corner, and spring has officially sprung! Besides the promise of warmer weather and brighter colors, spring is the ideal season to connect with your customers. If you had a less-than-stellar season this winter, now is the time to get things hopping again! Let’s face it, lots of folks hibernate during winter. But when the sunshine graces us with warmer temperatures, they start to make plans and embrace life. An energetic new campaign could be just what they need to engage your products or services in the new season. Here are a few ideas to help your small business get noticed during the spring season. HOLIDAYS During spring, it feels like the holidays are stacked on top of each other. This gives a business a number of marketing opportunities. Tether your spring marketing campaigns to one of the holidays that fall during the season, such as Easter, Passover, May Day or Mother’s Day. Know your target market so the holiday you choose to tie your message to strongly appeals to prospects and clients. Implement promotional ideas to build traffic, such as if you own a floral shop, offer a “buy one, get one at 50 percent discount” on May Day bouquets. If you own a physical store or office, you can easily give it a feeling of spring. Decorate with brighter colors, flowers, and other things associated with spring. A beautiful storefront will draw people closer. Don’t forget about your website! Tweak the layout to give it a different look for spring. By updating your look according to the seasons and holidays you show that you are on top of things and pay attention. WARM WEATHER After the long, cold winter, people yearn to spend more time outside. If you run a restaurant or coffee shop or café, put some tables outside so you can meet the demand for outdoor seating. Tweak your offerings to include food and items that evoke spring. People tend to want to eat differently in the spring than in the dead of winter. Offer up salads and smoothies to celebrate springs arrival. EARTH DAY Something almost magical happens as spring approaches. Even the most hardcore city person seems to get closer to nature. We notice the flowers and the new leaves on the trees. We might even plant something. It’s a natural human instinct to be drawn to life itself when it returns in abundance. April 22 is Earth Day. This day celebrates mother Earth and support the environment. People are becoming more and more aware of environmental issues. The spring months give ample occasions to show support for the environment. You can organize a clean-up event for a park or work with communities or organizations in your area to address local environmental issues. Not only will you support a good cause but you will also get your name out there and connect with your customers. EVENTS AND MARKETS Spring is also a season of outdoor events and markets. This can be a great chance for a company or small business to attract customers. Even if you don’t sell anything at this event, you have gotten people to notice you and remember your name. Companies and businesses can accomplish a lot by promoting consistent brand recognition. The next time an event attendee is in need of your products or services, your name will pop up in their head. Sometimes the press will be at these events and you might get a chance to be interviewed for a newspaper or TV. Two very good ways to get the word out for your company. GET SOCIAL No one can deny the impact social media has on people today. However, you decide to market yourself this spring, make use of social media to reach your customers. Update your Facebook page or Instagram account often. Tweet about the weather and what you have to offer. Wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day. If you are excited and happy for spring — show it! Happy Spring, Jennifer Bishop
Spring - March 2020

Renewed Investors

Kindergarten Round Up

March 2020

Bingo for Seniors

Kindergarten Round Up

Marshall Public Library

Census 2020

Fit Foodie Tri/5K

Career Fair

Workforce Development Roundtable

From the Directors Desk: