Tools, techniques, and strategies to prepare for the school year!

As we gear up for another academic year, Emporia Main Street is excited to share some effective back-to-school strategies to help our entrepreneurial businesses and area non-profits thrive. With new students, faculty, and staff joining our community, it’s the perfect opportunity to create lasting connections and establish shopping, usage, and volunteer patterns.

Encourage Shopping with Special Promotions

Back-to-school season is a prime time to attract new customers. Consider offering special promotions, discounts, or loyalty programs to welcome new students and faculty. Highlighting student essentials or faculty favorites in your marketing materials can create targeted appeal. Collaborate with other local businesses to create bundled offers that provide comprehensive value.

Welcome New Students, Faculty, and Staff

First impressions matter. Create a welcoming atmosphere in your stores and offices by hosting open houses or welcome events. Offer welcome kits that include information about your services, special discounts, and community resources. Engaging social media content showcasing your welcome efforts can also attract new followers and customers.

Establish Usage and Volunteer Patterns

Encouraging new residents to integrate your business or non-profit into their routine is crucial. Offer workshops, seminars, or volunteer opportunities that align with their interests. For non-profits, this could mean organizing volunteer drives or informational sessions about your mission. Highlighting the benefits of regular engagement, such as skill development or networking opportunities, can also foster long-term involvement. For businesses, engaging in the Welcome Back Block Party or encouraging participation in events adjacent to your storefront can encourage repeat traffic.

Promote Local Events and Resources

Emporia Main Street offers various events and programs that can be pivotal in attracting new members of the community. Participating in or sponsoring these events not only boosts your visibility but also demonstrates your commitment to the community. Events like the Great American Market, Dia de los Muertos celebrations, and the Downtown Trick or Treat are excellent platforms to engage with new students and faculty.

Leverage Situational Advertising

Tailoring your advertising to current events and seasons can significantly increase your reach. Situational advertising, such as promoting back-to-school specials or seasonal products, can resonate more with your audience. Engaging content that combines humor and relevance, like school countdown clocks that show increasing excitement among parents sending kids back to school in a series of social media posts, can also enhance your brand’s appeal.

Encourage Volunteerism

For non-profits, this is an opportune time to recruit new volunteers. Highlight the various ways individuals can get involved, from serving on committees to participating in downtown clean-ups and event planning. Emphasize the benefits of volunteering, such as making new friends, gaining new skills, and making a visible impact on the community.

New Employee Opportunities

Businesses and non-profits are always looking for quality staff, and the back-to-school timeframe allows for interesting employment opportunities in three specific varieties. First, students entering Emporia State University or Flint Hills Technical College are often looking for part time employment. Engaging in activities like the Emporia Main Street Welcome Back Block Party or on-campus activities can help connect students to appropriate jobs. Second, some families will see their youngest member of the household off to college. The change in activity level at home may allow parents to either change occupations or enter the job market. Finally, some families will see children enter the school system for the first time. If parents were responsible for childcare, they may now be able to enter the workforce (at least on a parttime basis). CLICK HERE to list a job on the Emporia Main Street jobs board, and make sure you are reaching out to potential target employment options!

Incoming Potential Student Connections

Emporia Main Street works to welcome students and potential students to the area. Part of our continued commitment to visitor outreach is targeted engagement of those visiting our local educational institutions as they determine where they will spend the next few years of their academic career. If you are interested in participating in that welcome process through the donation of goods, services, coupons, gift certificates, or other materials, please contact Emporia Main Street.

Welcome Back Block Party

One of the most effective events to engage new students is through the Emporia Main Street Welcome Back Block Party. Emporia Main Street member businesses and organizations have the opportunity to introduce themselves (or reintroduce themselves) to students from ESU and FHTC. Engaging consumer traffic, finding employees, making volunteer connections, and engaging advocacy are all possible through connections made at the Block Party. CLICK HERE to register your business/organization and for additional information.

By implementing these strategies, businesses and non-profits can effectively engage with the influx of new students, faculty, and staff, fostering a vibrant and supportive community. Emporia Main Street is here to support your efforts and help you make the most of this exciting time.

For more information and resources, visit Emporia Main Street.