Blog Update/Idea

Well since an initial blast of people, the daily traffic has slowed to the site. Still, a healthy number of people are returning to geddesblog to check back in. In order for this endeavor to be sucessful we need local residents to come take a look. If you are so inclined, email your friends or relatives in the area, and let them know about us.

I will be writing letters to our local politicians, and emailing our state and federal reps to let them know what we are working on here. I am hoping to get some feedback that can be posted on the blog. But, I don't think that we can rely on politicians to promote this blog... So we need to gain exposure in other ways. Any thoughts on how to do that? (By the way our budget is $0.00).

I have only come up with one good idea so far, let me know what you think. [just press the link that says "0 comments" to make a comment. You don't need to sign in.]

I was thinking of speaking to the owners of local businesses, and proposing highlighting a different business each week. I would introduce the owner of the business, give a brief history of how it was started, and what the business' goals for the future are. For giving that exposure, they would offer a meager discount to patrons living in geddes/fairmount (or all patrons who mention the blog), say 5% up to 8.25% for the week. The next week the process would start over. Initially I would canvas the area, and find willing participants, but if it were a success, the businesses could just email geddesblog to get on the list. This accomplishes 3 things:

1. geddesblog can gain exposure to the public (who is always looking for a bargain), and help increase public awareness of local issues and increase community participation in government.
2. local businesses gain exposure and increased traffic, for a meager discount to local residents.
3. regular readers of the blog can get discounts by shopping locally and supporting local businesses.

Thoughts? Comments? Anyone out there a small local business owner?

In the meantime, email your friends/family/neighbors and have them check us out.