Hastings County Small Business Gift Video
Promotional Video: Hastings County Small Business Gift Video
What is the Promotional Video?
In October 2023, Hastings County Economic and Tourism Development staff set out to celebrate Small Business Month. They wanted to come up with a special way to show their appreciation for the importance of local businesses in the community, so they assembled a small gift with locally made goods including custom cookies, recycled notebook and pen, recycled paper seed bookmarks, and tea in a gift bag for hand delivery to local business owners. Recipients were selected by the public through a callout on social media to comment or tag the posts with a local business they wanted to recognize, and the businesses would receive a small gift as a thank-you for investing in our communities. Once selected, staff drove over 400km throughout the county to hand deliver the gifts and introduce themselves. Once completed, a video compilation of the deliveries was promoted on social media and shared with Council.
Video Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzGkbSLOlcs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Purpose of Project (including anticipated outcomes)
The purpose of the Small Business Gifts project was twofold: Business recognition and promotion of County services. It recognized over 100 local small business owners for the valuable contributions they make by choosing to conduct their business in Hastings County. By delivering them in person, staff used the opportunity to personally connect with each business, show them their appreciation as well as explain their roles and promote further awareness of the business services available through the department.
Effectiveness / Meeting Objectives (if known)
Effectiveness was measured through the happy tears of gratitude shed by business owners receiving gifts, number of businesses reached in person, and increased awareness through social media. 120 businesses were visited and contacted, 14 Council Members were made aware of the gifts and deliveries, 1044 Instagram views and 60 interactions (likes, shares, saves), and 265 Facebook views and 120 interactions (likes, shares, saves).
Challenges & Changes made
The main challenge faced was physically connecting with each business given the large size of Hastings County to be covered within the month. Staff delivered some of gifts together and divided and conquered for the majority. While almost 100 were hand delivered, approximately 7 were mailed out with a personalized note.
Target Audience (demographics)
The target audience was local business owners and shoppers of Hastings County, both local and tourists. Viewers of the video were made aware of favourite local businesses, and business owners became aware of County economic development services if they weren’t already through their visit by staff.
Any specifics as detailed in the particular Awards Categories
The message that the video is sending to the community is that small business is highly valued in Hastings County and the Economic and Tourism Development department is there to help them succeed.
Any details regarding the sustainability of your project.
The gifts included recycled paper notebooks and pens, as well as some contained plantable seed paper bookmarks that were made out of recycled paper containing wildflower seeds.
