Get the Word Out

Effective ways to get the word out about your library’s business services.

Not sure where to begin? It’s easy. Networking starts with just one smile and one handshake. Let’s stop allowing libraries be the best kept secret that business owners wish they knew about. To get started, challenge yourself and your staff to try one of the ideas on this list this month. Then, try a new one next month. You’ll find out which tactics work best for you and your local business community, and you’ll be well on your way to developing effective partnerships for mutual success.

  1. Make Time for Face Time with Small Business Owners
    • Join local business organizations and attend meetings.
      • Do a presentation about library services for business owners.
      • Offer to provide research sessions at their meetings.
      • Provide marketing materials with a response feedback coupon.
    • Be active in local Chambers of Commerce.
      • Serve on a committee!
    • Attend local business conferences and expos.
      • Set up a display booth, hand out flyers, and demo business databases.
    • Attend business networking functions.
    • Make face-to-face calls to local businesses.
  2. Plant Seeds of Awareness throughout the Community
    • Offer to write a regular column for local newspaper(s).
    • Reach out to professionals serving the new businesses (e.g. accountants, bankers, coaches/consultants).
      • Ask them to provide your marketing collateral to their clients.
      • Ask them to serve on library business outreach advisory boards.
      • Invite them to teach classes/workshops for business owners at the library.
    • Find out who is in charge of the business programs at community colleges and universities in your area and develop relationships with those people.
      • Offer to teach a class to business students about business research (if these future business leaders have a positive experience now, they may become loyal library patrons for life!)
      • Assist them in planning and implementing projects targeting the business community.
  3. Join Forces with Other Entrepreneur Serving Organizations (ESOs)
    • Small Business Development Centers
      • Present to their staff or at their classes.
      • Seek their input about business owners’ information needs.
      • Offer library space for them to meet with clients and make presentations.
    • Economic Development Agencies at the Town, County, or State Level
      • Make sure their staff members know about library resources.
      • Partner with them on committees/projects.
      • Cross market/link exchange.
    • Local Workforce Investment Boards
      • Market library services to their clients (employers and job seekers).
      • Co-sponsor job-seeker events with them.
      • Serve on committees.