Welcome and Holiday Wishes from the Deputy City Manager |
Welcome to the penultimate issue of the Down to Business newsletter for 2022. In some ways, it is crazy to think 2022 is coming to an end. Like many, I had some personal/professional highs and lows this year. I am glad it is engrained in me to cherish the highs and appreciate and reflect on the lows just the same. I hope that as you do your reflection, you are able to see value in all your experiences in 2022 and see what great things await in 2023.
Speaking of 2023, it is fascinating to think that the Dover 400th Anniversary Committee has been working for five years to plan events for the 400th-anniversary celebrations that will occur next year. It kicks off with the First of the 400th Gala Event, which takes place on New Year’s Eve. This event will kick off the celebrations with fireworks, a dance, and more. I’ll be there, will you?
Sadly, one thing we won’t have in the Business Development Office in 2023 is intern Holly. She will be wrapping up her projects and transitioning back to focusing on school. Holly has been an energetic and interested intern and has worked on a few activities with Reid Amy (you all know Reid, right? She’s the mover and shaker who makes the office look productive and professional with all her might.) On the plus side, we should have the new Business Development Coordinator on board by mid-January and that person will be able to jump into the Business Visitation program and other positive initiatives due to the efforts of Holly. I want to offer a warm thanks to Holly for all her efforts.
Believe it or not, (I’m walking on air, I never thought…. Sorry, got off track), I had someone ask for more podcast referrals. Here are three inter-related ones, all from Strong Towns:
These podcasts all take an analytical look at what makes a community tick and what efforts you can take to make them resilient and vibrant. In other words, what can make your town strong. Each of the three takes a frame of reference to that larger idea and runs with it. The base camp is the OG “Strong Towns Podcast.” It is a weekly look at what it takes to financially strengthen a city/community. The host and guest look at neighborhood, communitywide, and sometimes regional ideas and flesh them out. They might discuss economics, systems theory (my favorite aspect), or cultural advancements, all with a critical eye and a conversational tone.
“The Bottom-Up Revolution” takes the same topic areas, but presents them from a grassroots point of view and shows how residents/property owners can take charge and be part of the change they want to see in their community. There are case studies and examples where something works in a community, and it gives you enough information to help you learn more about implementing that for yourself.
“Upzoned” is the final Strong Towns podcast and this one is a bit more in the know. It is about trends and ideas that are new in the community development arena. The hosts and guests look at a specific current event or project and break it down to dissect what is working and where it might go.
A bonus offering: A similar resource, is the City Beautiful channel on YouTube. This organization offers viewers short-ish videos on community development techniques and programs. Some focus on zoning, some on housing, and a cool one on Disney Transportation. It’s a fun way to learn about what’s out there.
OK, enough break time, go back to work, celebrate the holidays, or just relax. You deserve it!
|
Enjoy,
Christopher G. Parker, AICP
Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives
|
|
Dover Download podcast: Your guide
to what's happening this week
In addition to each week's email edition of Dover Download, the City of Dover offers a weekly podcast. The podcast is hosted by Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker, who chats each week about the city's programs, services, public bodies and projects. Each episode also takes a brief detour to the past with a look back at the week in Dover's history.
In this episode of Dover Download, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker discusses the Willand Warming Center with Tory Jennison, Strafford County's Population Health Systems Chief, and John Burns, the director of SOS Recovery Community Organization. SOS was awarded a bid by the cities of Dover, Rochester and Somersworth to operate the tri-city warming center this winter. Strafford County is overseeing the contract. In this episode, Jennison and Burns talk about the warming center's role, how and when it's activated, what services are provided, and the need for volunteers and donations. More information about the warming center can be found at https://www.sosrco.org/what-we-do/willand-warming/.
In This Week in Dover History, we revisit the career of a retired Dover educator revered for his decades of work in Dover's public schools.
|
|
What’s New?
Intern Edition
by Holly Magowan,
Business Development Intern
Hi! My name is Holly Magowan, and I am an intern at the Office of Business Development this year. I am a senior at the University of New Hampshire, dual majoring in Community and Environmental Planning and Sustainability.
I am here to provide insight into social media literacy and its importance to business development and success. One concept I have noticed during my short time interning with Reid and the Office of Business Development is that local businesses often struggle with guidance around social media. I grew up using social media, as has most in my generation. Although it may seem intimidating to start, it is an incredibly crucial and powerful tool, not only for personal connections, but business growth and relationship-building between consumers and business owners.
- “According to 90% of marketers, their social media marketing efforts have increased the exposure of their business, and 75% say they’ve increased traffic;”
- “71% of consumers who have had a good social media experience with a brand are likely to recommend it to others;”
- “74% of consumers share video content from brands on social media;”
- “80% of social marketers say their key strategy is to increase engagement across social channels.”
Demographic Breakdown for social media users:
- 90.4% of Millennials
- 77.5% of Gen X
- 48.2% of Baby Boomers
The Basics, Easy as 1,2,3
1. Let’s talk platforms. There seem to be endless amounts of them (Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest, etc.), but I will focus on the most popular from my personal experiences – Instagram. Instagram is a platform and app with more than 1.1 billion active users as of 2022. Instagram has 58 times more engagement per follower than Facebook and 120 times more than Twitter ( source).
It has a relatively simple concept. Users can post pictures/videos and add captions. If you know about Facebook, you are halfway there. Instead of “Facebook Friends,” Instagram has “followers.” After signing up and picking a handle (ex., @visitdowntowndover) you have a whole new world to promote, show, and encourage new customers to visit and buy! |
|
Make sure to customize the profile to personal preferences and add all basic information about the business. Add hours, website, description of what is sold or services offered, and possibly owner names and locations.
Here is a perfect example of using every feature to the business’s advantage. When users click on Root’s profile, they can learn everything about their business and how to buy their products. The user can follow their account for updates and more information while also having the option to tag Roots in their own posts to further promote the business. |
|
2. Posting on the grid. The grid refers to the setup of Instagram pictures. If you click on any profile that has posted pictures, you can scroll and see its own curated grid of photos and videos. What to post is up to the business. It can be anything from specific product spotlighting, an advertisement for upcoming events, hour changes, or even just a picture of the front of the business to familiarize future customers. I would like to use Hip Finds Co. as an example of the stellar use of their pictures and videos. This business has diversity in its posts. They use both graphics and product pictures to create a cohesive feed that doesn’t just look like an online storefront. It is easy to see the common theme of the store and the brand’s concept. |
|
3. Instagram Stories are a way to post temporary news, repost other users' posts or make short videos. I recommend playing around with all the different filters, stickers, tags, and drawing features within stories. Here is a wonderful example of how Instagram Stories can be used to highlight business. Replenish Refillery reposted this picture to encourage their followers to shop locally this holiday season. They then tagged a bunch of other downtown businesses. From here, anyone that follows Replenish can now easily click and learn about another 12 Dover businesses just from one post. All of a sudden, one Replenish customer may become a customer for any of the other businesses. When it comes to Instagram Stories, sharing is caring. (Check out @Replenishnh on Instagram, they have another great profile set-up).
Social media is not going away, and I encourage business owners to take it seriously. It is another helping hand to find new ideas, trends and bring attention to a business and its brand. My last tip is not to be afraid to play around with the platform. It is easy to think that you can break it somehow or “do it wrong,” but like everything, it takes practice. There are so many other features of Instagram as well, but these are what I feel are the basic stepping stones. For more information, search for tutorials on YouTube or Google. I have had an Instagram account since 2012 but still do this sometimes. Good luck posting!
|
|
Roots Café & Juice Bar has reopened under two new owners, Betsy Samber and Crystina Friese. The two have made significant improvements to the 100% vegan café at 6 Third St. The new website allows for online orders, and patrons can grab and go meals and smoothies effortlessly (and even have them delivered via DoorDash). The café features weekly specials such as lentil soup, BBQ jackfruit taco salads, and the To’ Boy Po’ Boy sandwich, all of which are made with superior vegan ingredients. They still feature fan favorites on the weekends, such as The Sunny, and all of their menu items have a gluten-free option available as well. When I asked what the one thing they wanted the public to know about them is, they responded that they want people to realize they have modified their hours of operation to be open more. They are open Wednesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by and welcome these two new owners to Dover! |
|
Ryder Street Co. isn’t your average skate shop. Although they create custom skateboards for fans of the sport, they surprisingly have some of the funniest gift options in Dover. Alison Ballentine and her son, Colin, select products that will surely make you laugh out loud. Dubbed “Funny Street Co.” to ride alongside Ryder Street Co., the company is clever in its marketing strategy to appeal to more than just the skater crowd. They have everything from tea towels and oven mitts to socks and shot glasses. They also carry a variety of clothing items and VANS footwear. Swing by and shop small this holiday season! |
|
Holiday Artisan Faire at The Woodman Museum is happening now through Dec. 23. This once-a-year event is open to the public, free of charge, Wednesdays-Sundays, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The event features local crafters, food items, art, ornaments, jewelry, and many other gifts just in time for the holiday season. Don’t miss this once a year opportunity to support local artisans and crafters. |
|
Business Event Happenings
Looking for something in Dover? The Office of Business Development continues to update the community calendar to cover all the amazing Dover business events. Please click here or on the calendar below to find an event! |
|
Resources for Businesses |
|
The Office of Business Development has gathered a collection of free resources for starting or expanding your business in Dover, you can access them by clicking here.
Financing a Business in NH is a free e-course that helps you understand debt and equity financing for entrepreneurs looking for capital. Having trouble navigating financing options such as traditional bank loans, alternative lending, credit enhancements, crowdfunding, and angel investments/venture capital investments? This course helps answer questions and links participants to appropriate New Hampshire resources. Registration is free but required, and the course is available on demand until Jan. 9, 2023.
|
|
Let us know about your business
|
|
OFFICE OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CITY OF DOVER NEW HAMPSHIRE
|
|
|
City Hall, 288 Central Avenue
Dover, NH 03820
(603) 516-1560
|
|
Monday - Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
