The Local Post Spokane

SUCH. A. LOCAL. (term)

/such… uh… LOH-kuhl/

Definition: A term used to refer to someone who proudly supports local, is unapologetically themselves, and gives this place a little more character.

The Way to Justice
The Shades of Motherhood Network

Before committing to a marketing strategy for your small business, get clear on what you actually want your communication tactics to accomplish.

Most communication objectives fall somewhere along the customer journey:

1. AWARENESS
Do you need more people to know your business exists?

2. INTEREST
Do people know about you, but need ways to learn more?

3. DESIRE
Do potential customers understand what you offer, but need to see why it’s valuable or right for them?

4. TRIAL
Do you need to convince someone to buy, visit, book, or try your business for the first time?

5. LOYALTY
Do you have customers, but need to give them reasons to keep coming back?

6. ADVOCACY
Do you want loyal customers to recommend your business and actively tell other people about it?

Here’s why this matters:

A Spokane small business that needs more awareness should not necessarily use the same marketing strategy as one that has plenty of customers but struggles with repeat business.

And a business trying to generate a first purchase has a different job than one trying to turn happy customers into advocates.

So before asking:

“What should I post?”
“Should I advertise?”
“Should I offer a discount?”
“Should I start a loyalty program?”

Ask:

What stage of the customer journey am I trying to influence?

Then choose the marketing strategy that helps move your customer to the next stage.

Save this for the next time you’re planning your small business marketing strategy.

And if you want more marketing tips like this with additional context, examples, and free resources for your business, DM me “SIGN UP” to join my free newsletter from The Local Post Spokane. 🙂

Follow The Local Post Spokane for practical small business marketing tips, local business resources, and ways to collaborate.

What I learned at Harvard isn’t staying at Harvard. 🤓

This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in a Harvard Business Impact seminar focused on teaching, learning, and navigating a rapidly changing world shaped by AI and emerging technology.

As a marketing professor, continuing to learn is an important part of how I approach my work. But the value of learning something new is in what happens when you bring it back and put it to work.

I’m excited to share what I learned with my colleagues, use it to create more impactful learning experiences for my students, and apply these insights to the work I do with local businesses and our small business community here in Spokane.

I also have created a new way to share additional resources with you aside from 10 sec reels and captions 😅 Just DM me “SIGN UP” to receive free small business and marketing resources and other updates & developments happening with The Local Post Spokane.

I was STRESSED about the aggressive driving in the area. Not these gals 💁🏽‍♀️ lol

It’s been a busy, crazy summer, so I should take some notes from their level of “don’t care” haha

Despite the uncertainty around the air quality, we hoped for the best, and so many community members showed up to support an event that brought smiles to so many kids.

Thank you The Way to Justice and SERA for organizing such an amazing event and for donating backpacks, school supplies, and shoes for children in our community.

I was so grateful to be able to contribute and bring my new business, The Local Post, and SUCH. A. LOCAL. Brand into the community for the first time in the most meaningful way.

I’m especially grateful to my dear friends Aubrey Powell, Amber Roberts, , Matt, and of course, my partner, Sado for helping make the day such a success. ❤️

I’m grateful for every volunteer and organization that made this day possible, including spokanepublicschools Takeup Thecause The Shades of Motherhood Network Spokane Head Start/ECEAP/EHS Habitat For Humanity-Spokane Seva Workshop Spokane Helpers Network YWCA Spokane TeamChild Jasmin Group Spokane Transit Discovery Counseling Group Washington State Office of Equity Maji Rising carlmaxeycenter Gonzaga University Climate Institute Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) The Fig Tree Spectrum Center // Spokane visionForHaitiFoundation The Participatory Budgeting Project

Spokane shows up. ❤️

The fires may be measured in acres, containment percentages, and structures lost, but the impact on our community will be measured over months and years.

There has already been an incredible outpouring of support across Spokane. People are donating, sharing resources, opening their doors, volunteering, checking on neighbors, and stepping up however they can.

But as we continue showing up for one another, we also need to remember: this will be a marathon, not a sprint.

Rebuilding and repairing what has been lost will take time. The families and communities affected will need support not only right now, while the fires are at the center of our attention, but in the weeks and months ahead.

So take care of yourself, too. Rest when you need to. Protect your own capacity. We don’t want to give everything we have in the first few days and burn out before the longer work begins.

We need steady, sustainable community support. ❤️‍🩹

Update sources:

- khq.com (https://www.khq.com/fires/evacuations-expanded-for-spokane-area-fires-burning-5-390-acres-600-structures-destroyed/article_8f1a90ab-1bb3-4fb7-8b6a-8464137bd373.html)

- komonews.com (https://komonews.com/news/local/spokane-fires-update-old-trails-arson-invesigation-wildfire-washington-state-disaster-red-flag-conditions)

- krem.com (https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/wildfire/heres-what-we-know-about-all-fires-currently-burning-across-spokane-county/293-0e1b9863-42b3-4d76-a319-a7b97622dbea)

Even in difficult situations, and even when we still see negativity and hateful things being said online, I keep coming back to the people who immediately ask, “How can I help?”

People rushing to donate. Businesses offering what they have. People sharing resources, opening their spaces, volunteering their time, checking on neighbors, and contributing in whatever way they can.

That willingness to show up is inspiring. And every one of those actions makes a difference.

But I also think we have to remember that community support can’t only exist in the immediate aftermath of a crisis.

Rebuilding and recovering will take a long time. People, businesses, and families will need support weeks and months from now.

Strong communities aren’t only built by how we respond in an emergency. They’re built by how we continue to show up for each other afterward.

Stay strong, Spokane.