New Year Resolutions for Downtown Businesses

Congratulations on a successful fourth quarter! You’ve earned some rest and rejuvenation for yourself and your staff, but you also deserve to perform even better in 2024. We’ve got some ideas to help you meet those goals, and the best news is that they’ll not just help YOUR business, but the entire Avoca Main Street district!

 

Resolution #1
Create or update your Travel Iowa business page! The official tourism marketing website for the state of Iowa is FREE and hosts more than a million visitors annually. So much of Iowa’s tourism dollars are spent within the state (Iowans traveling elsewhere in Iowa to spend their time and money). Visitors to your business site will also be shown other nearby businesses and attractions, so you’ll be helping yourself and your neighbors by maintaining an attractive listing. Travel Iowa exclusively promotes only those places with official listings. If you want to be included in their Travel Iowa guide, or as part of one of those great lists on social media posts, it’s up to you to tell them who you are and what you offer, Help build Avoca’s itinerary by logging in to traveliowa.com/register and clicking the “Submit a Listing” box!

 

Resolution #2
Become a vendor on Shop Iowa! Shop Iowa (shopiowa.com)is a statewide online marketplace that sells throughout the United States. It is another FREE resource for Iowa’s small businesses. You can sell products or gift cards easily while receiving free marketing support for your business. Just visit shopiowa.com/sell and see how easy it is. If you think you can’t figure it out, know that they offer live support via email, phone, text, and online training to get you started and keep you going!

 

 

Resolution #3

Claim, update, and maintain your Google Business page and make sure your business is findable on NAVTEQ software! Would someone staying at one of Avoca’s hotels and motels locate you if they wanted to do some local shopping or eating while in town? How easily does your business show up for folks considering moving to Avoca? Avoca Main Street can connect you to virtual trainings if you need a boost!

 

Resolution #4
Coordinate with your neighboring businesses or similar-style businesses to magnify your promotions and events! Avocans love to support all their businesses, and cross-promotions pay off very well in our district. Let your neighbors know and get collaborating on how to support each other and drive customers to other businesses in the district. The Avoca Main Street Promotions and Economic Development Committees would love to help!

 

Resolution #5
Finally, keep Avoca Main Street informed of your business plans! Whether you are thinking of starting up, expanding, renovating, or transitioning, there are FREE technical support services available to you as a Main Street District Member. Additionally as a Main Street business or property owner, you have access to competitive grants that can magnify the impact of your investment. Being a member of a Main Street district has value, and we want to help you capitalize on that. Make sure you start any plans with an email to mainstreet@cityofavoca.com or a phone call to Amber at 712-307-0172.

 

Cheers to 2024 being your best year yet on Avoca Main Street!