Tools for Referring GoLocal Membership

When GoLocal business members mention GoLocal to colleagues, it helps to have the tools to effectively communicate the benefits of being a GoLocal business member. Here's a story that you can include in conversations, e-mails or letters. Read it over and be familiar with these four main benefits of membership:

1. The Local First Message helps residents find your business

2. The GoLocal Shared Brand amplifies your marketing effectiveness

3. The GoLocal Rewards Card helps you attract and retain customers

4. The Refer Local program helps you gain customers through a quality business referral network

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In these economic times, local businesses are pulling together to strengthen their marketing presence.  We're inviting you to learn how locally-owned independent businesses in Sonoma County are joining forces for an increase in market share through membership in the GoLocal Co-op.

The Local First Message helps residents find your business

There’s a groundswell of support from residents for locally owned businesses sweeping the US, and Sonoma County is a leader in this regard. In surveys nationwide, residents say they want to support their locally owned businesses. Their number is growing dramatically as they learn the advantages of shifting their purchases.

Most residents say they will support locally owned businesses to a greater extent if they know which ones are locally owned. The programs of GoLocal concentrate the power of the “Local First” message and the GoLocal brand to accomplish more than any one business can do alone.  “Local First” is a call to action for the residents and businesses of Sonoma County to shift purchasing from non-local to local.  

When you become a GoLocal member, you’re immediately included in our online business directory and can appear in other sections of the GoLocal website through stories, profiles, posting events and offering rewards. Additionally, you receive a member emblem to display, and you can use member branding throughout all your marketing channels. GoLocal membership will make certain that residents can identify you as a locally owned business.

The GoLocal Shared Brand amplifies your marketing effectiveness

The greater GoLocal brand value, the greater our influence to shift behavior.  Our shared brand message is very positive for the community on many levels.  When people act on our message, we can greatly improve our local economy.  It doesn't ask people to buy more of anything.  It means making a conscious choice—local first.  The more times and the more often they are exposed to this positive message over time, the more likely they are to act on it.  Read more about the power of the GoLocal shared brand, with its $8 million commercial media value.

GoLocal is growing, with 300 business and organization members and over 1,700 resident members and cardholders who use their GoLocal rewards card to help them find locally owned, independent businesses throughout the county.

The GoLocal Rewards Card helps you attract and retain customers

The GoLocal Rewards Card helps make the shift happen—rewarding all members for spending within the GoLocal membership.  It gives great value to resident members and helps them find and shop with our business member merchants.

As a business member you can participate in two ways.  You can electronically process the card or just ask cardholders to show the card. Electronic processing allows you to participate in loyalty and network rewards, and review purchasing data.  Well worth it if you know how to use marketing data in your planning.

The Refer Local program helps you gain customers through a quality business referral network

The Refer Local Program offers GoLocal business members another avenue for working together to strengthen the local economy. The program provides structured networking opportunities, a referral framework, and professional tools that enable GoLocal business members to give, receive, and track quality referrals to increase their business activity.

For more information, here’s more scoop about why businesses join GoLocal. Please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail me or a GoLocal team member today for more information or to schedule a meeting.

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Finally, here's a downloadable PDF of the business/organization membership application for printing or e-mailing.