Background
The Covid-19 pandemic detrimentally affected small businesses in Turlock, while unprecedented negatively impacting economic and consumer conditions continue to exist (such as labor market trends, consumer trends, entertainment & activity trends, record high consumer & household debt, and continued 40-year-high inflation).
Using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Pressert Marketing will offer confidential, no-cost consulting and coaching services to assist businesses of all sizes in Turlock while creating and administering a City of Turlock Business Development and Assistance Program – including a detailed Matching-funds Grants Program for websites and online ads. These programs and services aim to increase profits, grow operations, and avoid closure. These objective of these programs and services will be met through the following activities:
- Outreach Campaign: Within the first month, an outreach campaign will be launched to bring awareness to the program and services. This will include a listening session, needs assessment, and ongoing direct marketing through various platforms – including digital marketing and offline efforts. Also, partnerships from large related corporations and/or bigger local businesses will be sought out. Outreach efforts will continue throughout the program to encourage attendance and retention of participants.
- Intake and Consulting Process: After the first month of establishing office hours and recruiting participants, Pressert Marketing will market the programs and services to local businesses. An intake process will determine their needs and level of grants.
- 1-on-1 Coaching: Provide personalized, one-on-one coaching to up to 100 small business owners or entrepreneurs with a physical commercial location in Turlock per year (or prorated accordingly by month). Consulting will cover a range of areas, including marketing strategies, business strategies, social media management, SEO, e-commerce, paid social ads, paid search/online ads, sales coaching, and business coaching (finances, inventory, visionary planning, exit strategies).
- Monthly Workshops: Weekly workshops will be developed and offered in Turlock, specifically targeting the needs of Turlock businesses. Additionally, Turlock businesses can participate in the various workshops planned for 2024 through Pressert Marketing’s programs.
Continuous Improvement toward results is a foundational element of Pressert Marketing, so client satisfaction surveys will be frequently collected. Services may be modified to meet ongoing client needs. Common consulting areas include:
- Marketing Strategies and Trends
- Business Strategies and Trends
- Commerce, Economic, Financial Strategies and Trends
- Websites
- Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)
- Digital Content Creation Tools
- Organic Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) Strategies and Trends
- Social Media Ads (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok)
- Organic Search (Google) SEO
- Paid SEO
- Automations
- Email Marketing
- Google Ads
- E-commerce
- Technology/Computers
- Sales Coaching
- Business Coaching
Objectives for the Business Development and Assistance Program (BDAP), Matching-funds Grants for Websites and Online Ads:
- Open a business assistance hub with dedicated office hours at Pressert Marketing within one month of the agreement.
- Seek out partnerships from large related corporations and/or bigger local businesses, while meeting with the City of Turlock Economic Development Director, related City Staff, and current City partners/large investors/developers.
- Recruit participants within one month
- Launch and administer a matching-funds grant program for websites and online ads
- Provide 1-on-1 coaching to up to 100 small business owners or entrepreneurs with a physical commercial location in Turlock per year.
- Hold at least 10 weekly business workshops starting in July 2024, training approximately 100 small business owners in various areas such as business start-up, growth, expansion, innovation, profitability, management improvement, economic development, financial management, and best small business practices.
Pressert Marketing prides itself on enhancing the Turlock economy and community by empowering business owners with marketing and business strategies and tools needed to launch, grow, and sustain their businesses. Drawing from over two decades of local small business, internet, communications, and news media relations expertise, Pressert Marketing will design communication strategies tailored for the City of Turlock. Services will include:
- Interviewing or facilitating discussions with City of Turlock employees and designated business owners to understand their needs and the City’s involvement.
- Developing the brand of the Business Development and Assistance Program.
- Crafting verbiage to introduce and explain the program to various audiences.
- Producing a video to introduce the program, to be posted on the City’s website and social media channels.
This combination of strategies, implemented by decades of experience, will create an impactful program that produces results. The structure, nature, and length of the training are all at the discretion of the City’s decision-makers.