Connecting Communities
The Chronicle Celebrates
The Southside Business
Chronicle: New Newspaper Launch Celebrates Local Business, Black Legacy, and Community Power
JACKSON, MI – June 2025. History was made this month in Jackson, Michigan, with the official launch of the Southside Business Chronicle — a new monthly print newspaper created to spotlight and support local minority-owned businesses, especially those rooted in the city’s revitalized Southside community and MLK business corridor.
A Paper with Purpose
Spearheaded by the Southside Festival Series team and launched in proud partnership with The Chronicle News, the Southside Business Chronicle released its inaugural edition on June 1st, 2025, establishing deep roots in Jackson’s economic and cultural landscape.
Michigan Lottery: Supporting Public Education and Local Businesses Since 1972
very time you play the lottery, it's a win for Michigan. Every Lottery purchase benefits K-12 education, gives a lift to local businesses, and supports companies that employ Michigan residents.
About 97 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contribu-
The inaugural issue of the Southside Business Chronicle—now in print and making history. A new era of business storytelling has officially begun in Jackson’s Southside.
The
Long before hashtags and marches filled the streets, sound was our strategy. For Black America, music has always been more than entertainment; it’s been a testimony, a form of resistance, and a means of release.
From the haunting sorrow of “Strange Fruit” to the anthemic cry of “Alright”, Black music tells the truth—raw, rhythmic, and unapologetically ours.
A Legacy Written in Song
When Billie Holiday first sang “Strange Fruit” in 1939, it was a dangerous, defiant act. The lyrics painted a brutal picture of lynching in the American South. Her voice soft, yet burning with grief, turned the nightclub stage into a pulpit of protest. That was before the Civil Rights Movement had a name. Music led the way.
In the 1960s, the soundtrack of the
The Legacy of Dr. Mar tin Luther King Jr
Black History
The Transformative Rhythm of Black Music in Driving Social Change and Healing
movement pulsed with songs like Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam.” These weren't just songs, they were sermons with rhythm, bold enough to get banned, brave enough to keep going.
The Revolution Was Sampled
Fast forward to the modern era, and you’ll find protest alive in the beats of hip-hop. When Kendrick Lamar declared “We gon’ be alright”, it wasn’t just a lyric; it became a chant in the streets of Ferguson and beyond. Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” still rings as sharp now as it did in 1989. J. Cole, Rapsody, Noname, and Little Simz are writing scripture for the struggle, track by track. Music isn't just background noise—it’s the heartbeat of every movement. We grieve over it. We march to it. We rise to it.
What Freedom Sounds Like — Local Voices
We asked members of the Lansing community: What does freedom sound like to you?
“Freedom sounds like gospel riffs on Sunday morning and basslines that make your ancestors nod their heads.”— Tajh Holloway, spoken word artist
“It sounds like kids laughing over J Dilla beats. Like something that wasn’t allowed before but is unstoppable now.”— Denise Caldwell, Lansing resident
Revolution Is Still on Repeat
Black Music Month reminds us that every beat we’ve laid down is part of a bigger story, one of survival, resistance, and joy despite
Detroit Techno: The Afro-Futurist Beat That Changed the World
Long before European raves, global DJ tours, and neon-lit dance floors, the sound of techno was born in a city shaped by struggle, resilience, and rhythm: Detroit.
In the early 1980s, a trio of young Black visionaries, Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, would go on to be known as The Belleville Three. From their suburban high school outside Detroit, they began experimenting with electronic instruments, drum machines, and synthesizers. The result? A bold new sound that married funk,
soul, Motown nostalgia, and a futuristic imagination shaped by sci-fi and the industrial collapse around them.
“It’s like George Clinton and Kraftwerk stuck in an elevator,” Derrick May once said of the sound.
Reclaiming
a Genre
Too often, the global popularity of techno is whitewashed, associated with European DJs and music festivals. But at its root, techno is Black, radical, and deeply American. Its syncopated rhythms and mechanical grooves reflect both Detroit’s auto industry and its Black working-class heartbeat.
These were sons of Motown, but they weren’t looking back. They were building forward into soundscapes that
imagined liberation through machines. It was Afro-futurism before the term hit the mainstream, and techno became the sonic rebellion of a generation that had inherited both brilliance and broken systems.
Global Impact, Local Roots
Today, Detroit techno is a global force. From Berlin’s underground clubs to Tokyo’s street parties, DJs still pay homage to their origins. Yet back home, the pioneers continue to fight for their recognition and legacy, reminding the world that Black culture has always led innovation, even when it isn’t always credited for it.
Illustration by OpenAI's DALL·E, generated for The Chronicle-“From protest to poetry—Black music continues to carry the soul of the struggle.”
Graphic by OpenAI’s DALL·E, created for The Chronicle. “In the 1980s, Detroit’s Black musicians forged a new sound—techno—that reshaped electronic music around the world.”
LCC College Connect Program Returns
LANSING, Mich., June 9, 2025 – The College Connect program returns to LCC for weekly sessions that will provide an introduction to the college experience and offer support to enhance a student's reading, writing, and math skills.
The FREE four-week program will offer morning and evening sessions that will begin on July 8, 2025.
College Connect provides an LCC loaned laptop and free WiFi while on campus, meals and snacks, and bus passes if needed.
Eligibility for the program is based on the following criteria:
Students who recently graduated from high school between 2023-25 and have not completed college-level Math or English courses
Individuals who recently completed their GED and have not completed college-level Math or English courses
Michigan Reconnect students who will be new to LCC in Fall 2025 and have not completed college-level Math or English courses
To learn more about the program and to register, visit https:// www.lcc.edu/community/college-connect/
Middle Village to Celebrate 2025 Cohort with Grand Opening on June 25, Featuring New and Returning Shops
LANSING, Mich. (June 20, 2025) - Middle Village, a retail accelerator program presented by Downtown Lansing Inc. (DLI) and powered by Lake Trust, announces three new businesses participating in its fifth cohort.
Middle Village’s 2025 Grand Opening will be held on Wednesday, June 25, at 11 a.m. at 215 S. Washington Square in the historic Atrium Building in Downtown Lansing.
Middle Village is a dynamic retail accelerator program that empowers business owners by lowering barriers to entrepreneurship. Located in the historic Atrium Building, the 2000-square-foot space features three micro shops in one shared space.
"Middle Village is creating a pipeline for more retail entrepreneurs to find their home in Michigan’s Downtown, and we’re thrilled to welcome this year’s cohort," said Kate Litwin, Community Development Director at Downtown Lansing Inc. "Each shop brings something unique to the shared space, and we can’t wait for the community to experience the unique products, energy and creativity they’re bringing to Michigan’s Downtown."
This year’s participating shops include BeBe’s Boutique, returning for a full-year run with a fresh new look, along with two exciting newcomers to Downtown Lansing: BHouzeOriginals and Blueprint of Beauty
Boutique.
Middle Village’s newest cohort introduces a fresh lineup of curated women’s boutique fashion, original designs that celebrate individuality, holistic skincare, jewelry, and more, all offering something unique for every shopper.
Guests can visit and shop at Middle Village from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information about Middle Village, visit MiddleVillageShops.com.
ABOUT MIDDLE VILLAGE
Middle Village is a dynamic retail accelerator program presented by Downtown Lansing Inc. (DLI) and powered by Lake Trust that empowers business owners by lowering barriers to entrepreneurship. With a focus on women and minority-owned businesses, Middle Village is an ever-evolving space in Downtown Lansing where shopping local is a catalyst for positive change, connecting individuals and fostering a sense of community. Middle Village is supported in part by federal funds awarded through the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), award number [SLFRP0127], and the United States Department of the Treasury. To learn more about Middle Village, visit MiddleVillageShops.com.
Free four-week summer program provides an introduction to the college experience
New shops offer a great addition to the Downtown Lansing shopping scene
Governor Whitmer Endorses Andy Schor for Mayor
LANSING, Mich. — Lansing Mayor Andy Schor announced today that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has endorsed his reelection campaign for Mayor of Lansing.
Before becoming Governor in 2019, Whitmer served as Ingham County Prosecutor, State Representative, and State Senator, representing parts of the City of Lansing. During their time in the Legislature, Whitmer and Schor worked together closely, focusing on policies that directly impacted Lansing residents.
Governor Whitmer stated that she is thrilled to endorse Andy Schor’s reelection. She praised his leadership in growing Lansing, expanding housing options, and protecting manufacturing jobs. She described Schor as a consistent advocate for common-sense solutions to the everyday challenges faced by Lansing residents.
Whitmer shared that she has known Andy for years and called him a valu-
able partner during her time as Lansing’s State Senator while he served in
the State House. She commended his ongoing efforts to secure funding for infrastructure, public safety, and city services, and expressed pride in calling him her mayor as a Lansing resident.
Governor Whitmer has played a significant role in Lansing’s recent growth. Her administration has partnered with the City of Lansing and Mayor Schor over the past seven years, helping ensure that Lansing residents have a strong voice in state government.
Mayor Schor thanked Governor Whitmer for her endorsement and support, describing her as an outstanding leader who has worked to attract and retain residents, support businesses across Michigan, and fight for the state’s future. He emphasized that Lansing is experiencing record growth and development and reaffirmed his commitment to keeping that momentum going with continued support from the Governor’s office.
Jeffrey Brown Addresses Lansing Residents in Open Letter for Mayoral Campaign
Dear Residents of Lansing,
100 YEARS OF LANSING HERITAGE
I AM a product of 100 years of Lansing heritage and three generations of public service.
I AM the grandson of Lansing’s Mother of the Year in 1953, Georgia Brown, the first Black female student to attend Lansing Eastern High School, so esteemed that the Lansing School District named their Board Room in her honor.
I AM the grandson of Robert Brown Sr., a 1968 City of Lansing retiree who dedicated his life to beautifying the city’s parks.
I AM the nephew of Robert “Bob” Brown Jr., Lansing’s longest-serving Fire Commissioner with 32 years of service, and the first Black State Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC); Duane “Mike”
Brown, a former Local 352 member and the first Black foreman at the Board of Water and Light (BWL); and Lansing’s legendary “Ambassador of Celebration,” Luther “Billy” Brown—affectionately known as Mr. Party.
I AM the youngest child of Richard “Gaylord” Brown, a Sexton graduate who joined the U.S. Navy and served in
the Vietnam War after working the assembly line at Oldsmobile. My mother, Joy Pappas, was a proud UAW member and State of Michigan employee.
A SON OF LANSING
I AM a son of Lansing. Born at St. Lawrence Hospital, and a graduate of Lansing Eastern High School. Service has always surrounded me. As a teenager, I was involved in Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) and Eastern Prevention (EAST P), advocating against tobacco use and creating educational skits promoting drug prevention among Lansing youth.
I learned how to win and lose through academics and athleticswhich—participating in school district field days, Math-O-Rama competitions, parks and recreation programs like Foster Flyers floor hockey, YMCA biddy basketball, and evening karate classes at Otto Middle School. I was also a regional champion on the Lansing Eastern Academic
Decathlon team.
Go Quakers!
I was inspired by the opportunity to earn school credit through vocational education, what we called “vo-tech.” I graduated from Eastern and Cisco’s International Networking Academy simultaneously. Later in life, I earned my Doctorate in Ministry (D.Min.) in Christian Leadership from Kingdom University International.
That early co-op experience gave me the confidence to pursue a life and career rooted in purpose.
By 20, I was promoted to Account Manager at Protocol Integrated Direct Marketing, managing national projects for recognizable infomercials. If you’re from Lansing, you or someone you know has worked at Protocol.
That experience con-
Courtesy Photo-(L to R) Erin Schor, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor attend a community event in Lansing. Governor Whitmer recently announced her endorsement of Mayor Schor’s 2025 reelection campaign.
Courtesy Photo-Jeffrey Brown Candidate for Lansing Mayor
2025 Southside Summer Fest Weekend
Kicks off with
Live Karaoke
The Southside Festival Series
2025 edition began this past May 10th with the Local Authors Expo and Book Fair at the southside business C-Store & Deli. Summer Fest Weekend officially kicks off at Exchange Club Playground Friday July 25th and continues on Saturday and into Sunday.
It jumps off with the Karaoke Kickback at 6pm hosted by Bigman Genesis, a radio personality for Lan-
With over 5,000 copies distributed monthly throughout local businesses, gas stations, and convenience stores, the paper serves as:
A storytelling platform for entrepreneurs, A resource hub for community connection, And an equity-centered advertising opportunity for small businesses.
“After seven years of working to support Southside-based businesses, we’re excited to strengthen our commitment to the community, "said Hakim Crampton, Founder of the Southside Festival Series and Publisher of the new paper. "The Southside Business Chronicle will help our local entrepreneurs gain visibility, increase revenue, and connect directly with customers.”
A Newspaper Rooted in Legacy
The Southside Business Chronicle is a proud extension of The Chronicle News, a Black-owned media institution founded in 1986 by Larry “Jay Price” Carter and Carolyn Carter in Lansing, Michigan. For nearly four decades, The Chronicle has uplifted stories often ignored by mainstream outlets—honor-
ing Black excellence, community resilience, and cultural truth.
“To now see this legacy take root in Jackson through the Southside Business Chronicle is more than symbolic, "said Yanice Jackson, Publisher of The Chronicle News. "It's strategic. It’s healing. And it’s the beginning of a new era of collaborative Black media.”
A Community Launch Worth Celebrating
To formally introduce the publication, a press conference luncheon was held on Friday, June 7, 2025, in Jackson, Michigan. The event brought together community leaders, business owners, media supporters, and advocates who believe in the mission behind the paper—and the broader Southside Festival Series movement.
Available Now – In Print and Digital
Whether you’re picking up a copy in town or reading on-
Scan to read full story
tions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players, and commissions to vendors and retailers. For every $1 spent on Lottery tickets, 26 cents goes to the state’s School Aid Fund, 62 cents goes to prizes for players, and 9 cents goes to retailer and vendor commissions. Over the last six years, retailers throughout the state, many of which are small, independently owned businesses, have collected more than $2 billion in commissions.
sing’s WQHH 96.5. The Karaoke Kickback series has been a huge success in Lansing for several years and now comes to Jackson to kick off the Southside Summer Fest Weekend.
The event begins at 6pm accompanied also by a special edition of More Than a Pretty Face Live Talk Show hosted by C-Dub. For more details see the full schedule of events on the back page of this edition of the Southside Business Chronicle.
Since it began in 1972, the Lottery has contributed nearly $30 billion to support public education in Michigan. For the most recent year, the Lottery’s contribution to the School Aid Fund topped $1 billion for the sixth consecutive year. Michigan’s K-12 public school system serves about 1.4 million students. Funding provided by the Lottery is equal to more than $890 for each student who attends a K-12 public school, or more than $3.4 million each day for schools throughout the state.
In addition to helping provide funding for public education in Michigan, the Lottery has also established the Excellence in Education program to recognize outstanding educators.
Every week during the school year, the Michigan Lottery selects one outstanding educator to receive the Excellence in Education award. Each weekly award winner receives a cash prize, a plaque, and is featured in their news segment on news stations throughout the state.
At the end of the school year, the Michigan Lottery selects one weekly winner to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and a $10,000 cash prize.
All public school employees may be nominated for the Excellence in Education awards. To learn more about the Excellence in Education program, please visit:https://www.michiganlottery.com/excellence-in-education
CANCER IS PERSONAL SO IS OUR CARE
As a singer in a women’s chorus, Jaimie’s life was guided by harmony and rhythm. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, everything changed. Facing new challenges, Jamie needed more than just treatment; she needed care that saw her as a whole person, not just a patient.
At Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Greater Lansing, in partnership with MSU Health Care, Jaimie found that care. Her team of experts built a treatment plan around her life, her needs, and her goals. With their support, she kept singing and healing.
Discover the difference personalized care can make at karmanos.org/lansingcancer.
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Celebrating Black Music Month: The Chronicle's
Tribute
to Iconic Sounds
June is African American Music Appreciation Month! Created by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, this month celebrates the African American musical influences that comprise an essential part of our nation’s treasured
cultural heritage.
Formerly called National Black Music Month, this celebration of African American musical contributions is re-established annually by presidential proclamation. Though by no means exhaustive, we’ve prepared a primer that will guide you through some of the different genres that African Americans have created, inspired and fostered.
Sacred Music
Sacred music, which includes spirituals and gospel music, illustrates the central role that music plays in African American spiritual and religious life. The earliest form of black musical expression in America, spirituals were based on Christian psalms and hymns and merged with African music styles and secular American music forms. Spirituals were originally an oral tradition and imparted Christian values
while also defining the hardships of slavery. Gospel music originated in the black church and has become a globally recognized genre of popular music. In its earliest manifestations, gospel music functioned as an integral religious and ceremonial practice during worship services. Now, gospel music is also marketed commercially and draws on contemporary, secular sounds while still conveying spiritual and religious ideas.
Folk Music
African American folk music links back to African cultural traditions. Stemming from field hollers, work chants and game songs, folk music bursts with social commentary. Popular folk protest music spread in the 1960s, and its influence is still found within hip-hop today.
The Blues
The blues form the foundation of contemporary American music. As did sacred and folk music, the blues also greatly influenced the cultural and social lives of African Americans. Geographically diverse incarnations of the blues arose in various regions, including the Mississippi Delta, Memphis, Chicago, Southern Texas. Each regional manifestation of the blues features a uniquely identifiable sound and message. For example, Mississippi Delta blues illustrated the poverty of the region while celebrating its natural and cultural richness.
Military Music
Beginning with the Revolutionary War, African Americans have always
Breaking Boundaries with Strings: A Chronicle
Exclusive with Black Violin
BY YANICE Y. JACKSON THE CHRONICLE NEWS
When Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus take the stage as Black Violin, they do more than make music—they redefine what is possible when classical strings meet hip-hop beats. Their electrifying performances, social impact, and commitment to youth empowerment have captivated audiences around the globe. On April 10, 2025, I had the honor of sitting down with Wil Baptiste via Zoom for an exclusive conversation on life, legacy, and liberation through music.
This isn't the first time The Chronicle News featured Black Violin. Over the years, we’ve
followed their journey closely—from their early shows at the Wharton Center to their evolution into Grammy-nominated artists and national arts
educators. But this conversation... it hit different.
"We didn’t fit in either world. We just kept showing up with a violin and something
to say," Wil shared, reflecting on their path. "Eventually, we stopped asking for permission to belong. We built our own lane."
Strings, Beats, and Social Change
Since 2004, Black Violin has challenged stereotypes and opened ears. Wil and Kev fuse classical music training with the sounds of their South Florida upbringing—blending Bach and Biggie, Mozart and Kendrick. Their sound is bold, their purpose clear: to uplift, educate, and break barriers.
Their nonprofit arm, the Black Violin Foundation, offers scholarships and mentorship to youth musicians of color. It’s about more than music—it is
about identity, representation, and possibility.
"We always say, representation isn’t just about visibility— it’s about access. We’re not just showing up so kids can see us. We’re showing up to give them the tools, too."
Yanice Jackson: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I know you don’t have much time, but I’ve prepared some good questions. Hopefully, they’re a little different and not the run-of-themill kind, because I know you have so many interviews to do. But before we get started, my
Janelle Monáe performing in concert. Credit: Paras Griffin via WireImage
Courtesy Photo-(R to L) Kev Marcus (violin) and Wil Baptiste (viola), the powerhouse duo behind Black Violin, fuse classical strings with hip-hop swagger— reshaping sound, smashing stereotypes, and inspiring audiences worldwide. Experience their genre-defying sound and high-energy performance that fuses classical, hip-hop, soul, and funk into an unforgettable musical journey.
A Father’s Legacy: Uplifting Men, Rebuilding Brotherhood in Jackson
Jackson, MI
– June 14, 2025
On a breezy Saturday afternoon, families across Jackson gathered at 502 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to honor the spirit and strength of fatherhood. Hosted by Jackson Strength Network and the League of Extraordinary Fathers, the “A Father’s Legacy” event delivered more than just raffles and hot dogs, it served up healing, hope, and homegrown community support.
At the heart of the celebration was a bold message: No Man Left Behind.
From mobile gaming trucks to powerful testimony from guest speakers, the event brought together dads of all walks of life; justice-impacted
fathers, veterans, young dads, and those on their journey to reconnect with family and purpose. Each activity was rooted in Jackson Strength’s mission: to offer brotherhood, resources, and space for men to rise without judgment or shame.
“Our goal is to show men that they are not alone,” said Justin Counts, founder of Jackson Strength Network and a leader in reentry and veteran support. “If one of us needs a hand over the fence, we lift. If you need to stand
on our backs to rise—we don’t hesitate.”
The event included free raffles every 15 minutes, with over 40 prizes gifted to local fathers. At 2:30 PM, beloved characters Sonic the Hedgehog and Gracie brought extra
joy for the kids, while organizations like the Southside Business Chronicle set up tents to share news, promote entrepreneurship, and uplift Black business voices.
Local leaders and community partners were also in attendance, including sleep apnea advocate Greatness Brown and Yanice Jackson, Publisher of The Chronicle News and Executive Director of The Community Catalyst. “Events like this are the blueprint,” she said. “They don’t just celebrate fathers, they create safe spaces for men to heal, to grow, and to be seen in their fullness.”
Meet Julie Vandenboom: A Lansing Leader Rooted in Community
Julie Vandenboom is running for Lansing City Council At-Large to bring bold, inclusive leadership to the city she calls home. With deep roots in Lansing and 16 years of experience at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Julie has dedicated her career to policy analysis, program planning, and evaluation focused on improving community well-being.
Julie serves as a board member for the Capital Area District Library, the Eastside Neighborhood Organization, and Friends of Bancroft Park, where she brings collaborative leadership and a passion for community-driven solutions.
“I’m going to knock on 5,000 doors before the primary,” says Julie. “I’m over halfway there. The front porch conversations are the bread and butter of our campaign.”
One of the top issues Julie has heard from Lansing residents is housing. She supports tenant protections like just cause eviction ordinances and rental licensing reform. More importantly, Julie believes in centering the voices of those most affected by housing insecurity, building policy with neighbors, not for them.
In these challenging times, when many neighbors feel anxious about the national political climate, Julie brings empathy and compassion to her leadership. She understands the
fears people face and believes local leaders must meet those concerns with openness and real action. “We have to look out for each other,” she states.
Julie also recognizes that Lansing’s infrastructure is struggling, including roads and sidewalks in need of repair. She is committed to addressing these everyday issues that impact the quality of life for all residents.
As an active member of the Rent is Too Damn High Tenants Union, NAACP Lansing, and Strong Towns Lansing, Julie brings a transparent and accountable style of leadership. She believes real progress happens when leaders listen deeply and act boldly. If elected, Julie plans to prioritize affordable housing and improved infrastructure and build a Lansing where everyone belongs. Please consider voting for Julie Vandenboom in the August 5 primary.
Courtesy Photo-Julie Vandenboom Candidate Lansing City Council At-Large
Do Traditional Marketing Strategies Still Deliver Results?
Connecting with your audience and communicating what your business offers defines marketing. Over the years, companies have used various strategies to build and maintain their customer base. Bold billboards, glossy magazine ads, and memorable TV commercials work. But as digital marketing gains prominence, you might wonder if traditional strategies still warrant investment. Here, we’ll determine if traditional marketing strategies still deliver results.
Understanding Traditional Marketing
Traditional marketing encompasses methods that don’t rely on the Internet. Think: print ads, TV and radio commercials, direct mail, or outdoor advertising, such as billboards and transit ads. For example, a postcard promoting an upcoming sale or a radio ad highlighting your services is traditional marketing. These methods have a long track record of success. Brands like Coca-Cola and McDonald’s built their reputations using unforgettable TV ads, vivid magazine spreads, and event sponsorships. Traditional marketing was how customers discovered and trusted businesses before the Internet.
Traditional Marketing in Today’s Market
Traditional marketing offers distinct benefits for certain businesses and goals. For example, television commercials thrive during events with massive audiences, like the Super Bowl. Furthermore, traditional methods cater to an older demographic and support
industries such as real estate or retail.
Another unique perk of traditional marketing is its tangibility. When you incorporate print marketing in your campaign, people interact with it. Receiving a physical item, such as a flyer, coupon booklet, or invitation, creates a (literal and figurative) sense of connection.
However, it’s important to acknowledge traditional marketing’s limitations. These methods come with higher costs, and measuring their success isn’t as straightforward as tracking clicks or online conversions.
Traditional Marketing vs. Digital Marketing
You’ll notice key differences between traditional and digital strategies when deciding how to allocate your marketing budget. Digital marketing allows precise audience targeting. You can reach your desired customer base through search engine ads, social media campaigns, or email newsletters.
On the other hand, traditional marketing casts a wider net. For instance, running a radio ad may reach a large audience, but it comes with a higher upfront investment. Measuring success also differs. Digital marketing tools provide real-time data, such as website traffic or ad click-through rates. Meanwhile, traditional efforts, such as billboard ads or direct mail, require more creative ways to gauge their effectiveness, such as specific promotional codes or customer surveys.
Combining traditional and digital marketing can give your business the best of both worlds. For instance, you can use a billboard to drive traffic to your website by including a QR code. TV or radio ads can direct listeners to follow your social media account or visit an online store for special discounts.
Does Traditional Marketing Have a Place in Your Strategy?
Traditional marketing strategies still deliver results for businesses that understand their audience and use the right channels. Real estate agents use printed brochures or postcards, event planners rely on printed invitations, and local retailers use direct mailers to attract nearby customers.
Tangible materials also appeal to older adults and less tech-savvy demographics. Despite its strengths, traditional marketing alone may not sustain growth. You must combine traditional strategies with digital tools that expand your reach and meet modern consumer expectations.
5 Signs That Your Firm Needs To Evolve Its Operations
As industries and customer expectations rapidly evolve, business owners must evaluate their operations on a consistent basis. They must be able to recognize the need for changes early on so they can prevent deeper challenges down the line. Read on to learn five signs that your firm needs to evolve its operations so you can know when you should start rethinking your approach.
You Have High Employee Turnover
When talented individuals frequently leave your company, it suggests that you have significant issues within your work environment. Factors such as inadequate growth opportunities, outdated systems, and inefficient management can contrib-
ute to employee dissatisfaction. Retaining top talent requires fostering a culture where individuals feel valued, challenged, and connected to the company’s mission. Without action, the constant influx of new hires delays progress and reduces cohesion within teams.
Your Technology Is Outdated
Another sign that your firm needs to evolve its operations is that it still relies on outdated tools or software. This can cause it to fall behind competitors who benefit from faster processes, better communication systems, and improved customer service tools.
This makes it important to stay current with innovation. For example, when it comes to your logistics, adopting supply chain analytics can enhance your firm’s efficiency. If your firm hesitates to incorporate new technologies, it may risk losing relevance in a market dominated by tech-savvy competitors.
Worker Morale Is Low
A disenfranchised workforce often translates into poor results. Employees lacking motivation or enthusiasm will
struggle to meet expectations or contribute to the company’s overarching goals.
Low morale can stem from unclear direction, insufficient recognition, or stagnation within roles. Addressing these issues requires actively listening to employees and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement. Energized teams can be more efficient and creative, as well as show long-term dedication, which contributes substantially to your firm’s growth.
Client Reviews Are Mostly Negative
When your clients have unsatisfactory experiences with your firm, they will leave
