At the core of every Choose Indie Local campaign is amplifying the local multiplier effect — documented by Civic Economics Indie Impact Studies Series. Matt Cunningham, a partner at Civic Economics, offered advice on leveraging the multiplier effect and the Indie Impact Studies during Independents Month — and every month!
- Start with a goal
- Educate Public
- Local businesses are the backbone of community
- They keep more money locally
- Local businesses contribute more to local causes
- Influence a Local Issue
- Land use
- Influence Local Decisions
- Tax breaks for national chains
- Big box recruitment
- Educate Public
- Present the data
- Keep It Simple
- No need to complicate it
- Do not exaggerate. Data speaks for itself.
- Use Charts
- Made for each report
- Accompany Numbers With Business Stories
- Tie the two together
- Repeat Same Themes
- Whenever speaking, always reference the survey
- Keep It Simple
- Spread the word
- Press Conference or Presentation of Report
- Editorial In Local Newspaper
- Social Media
- Handouts/Signs At Local Businesses
- Local or Regional Conferences
- Try to include people or groups not already invested
Don’t yet have an Indie Impact Study for your community? Here’s an overview of what it takes.