Southern Hospitality & Marketing – Recipe for Success!

The mixed aromas of homemade vegetable soup, Brunswick stew, chili, corn muffins and berry cobbler wafted from the kitchen of the Rexall Grill as Duluth Merchants Association members arrived for the February monthly meeting on a recent Tuesday evening.

Great food and pleasant conversation in the Duluth Rexall Grill’s relaxed atmosphere set the tone for a positive meeting. The DMA Marketing, Communications & PR Committee (MCPR) served up its own tasty dish, the "DMA Membership Benefits and Tools" presentation.

DMA Webmaster Albert Marquez (Planet Earth Adventures) stepped members through how to fill out and update their Profile in the Membership Directory, including adding business logos, images and hotlinks back to their business websites.

DMA Monthly GAB-RRR Newsletter Editor, Sunny Ramsay (Gwinnett Medical Center - Duluth) advised members of the new benefit of  FREE quarter page ads every month in our newsletter which has both a member and community readership.

"DMA Member News" Editor Sheri Eppright (Positive Public Image) reviewed the advantages of the "DMA Member News Page,” encouraging members to submit press ready articles to promote their businesses and events.

Sheri advised everyone that when articles are written properly, with website hotlinks and keywords, Google search results often find these articles within 30 minutes of publishing. Sheri said "Member News" articles are a quick and easy way to promote your business and establish yourself as a SME -- "Subject Matter Expert."

The MCPR Committee has a follow-up session planned for March/April at The Work Spot, where DMA members will be able to get one-on-one assistance with the Membership Tools if desired.

Host Linda Alley presented her marketing approach for growing her two businesses, Rexall Pharmacy and Rexall Grill. Rexall Grill has been a historic community landmark for years. Linda's remodeling plans expand both her hours and services offered, and she has already added catering to her menu.

"DMA promotes both our local businesses and community prosperity," President Jim Johnson (JMS Consulting) added. "When local businesses grow and can better serve the community, both the community and business prosper.

Linda’s current marketing focus is through advertising on digital monitors recently installed in the Rexall Grill. Additionally, using geo-targeted marketing, she plans to text out daily or weekly Rexall Grill specials to loyal fans who have signed up...discounted chocolate cake, here we come!

James Moss of AdNetworks (and a member of the Marketing Communications & PR Committee) and his team followed Linda with a brief presentation to further explain his goal...bringing digital marketing to the community through the use of digital monitors with pricing solutions designed to meet the needs of small business owners.

Reminding us of the tasty food and good service, Linda handed out $5 gift certificates to attendees to ensure a quick return to the Rexall Grill for more great food and southern hospitality…see ya’ll soon! 

By Positive Public Image, Inc.