In This Together — Ideas for outreach, promotions and operations

Connecting customers to project information

Who do you need to reach? Think about who you need to reach and why. Think suppliers, customers, other businesses – anyone.

What do they need to know? Think about detours, routing and parking. Consider temporary signage to help people find you. Project fact sheets can be useful as well.

What’s the best way to reach them? Options may include social media, email, websites, flyers, traditional mail, paid advertising and local media outreach.

• Tip: Find information on projects through the 511 and WisDOT websites and social media to pass on to customers.

Ideas for promotions

• Hold events prior to construction to draw attention to the area. Provide customers with hours of operation during construction.
• Consider construction-themed sales to encourage visits during the work (a diner may have a “hard hat special” for example).
• Partner with other businesses to hold an activity like a scavenger hunt to encourage customers to explore the area.
• Plan groundbreaking (before construction) or ribbon-cutting (after construction) activities and promotions.

• Hold promotions coinciding with achievements and completion of work throughout the project.

Ideas for business operations

• Keep suppliers informed about the project and arrange deliveries as needed.
• Partner with a local small business development center or other small business assistance organizations to seek out business consulting sessions or other support services.
• Determine if there are alternative entrances or access points to your business that could be used that would be more convenient during construction. Highlight entrances before construction to show customers how easy it is to get to your business.
• Work with project staff to determine busy work times. Inform customers or consider operational hours adjustments.
• Think about planning any type of work that doesn’t directly face customers, such as inventory or remodeling.