Out of sight, out of mind; we need to tell people we're here
We had a small merchants meeting recently, and we had a guest -- an ad saleswoman from Community Newspapers, Robin Korth. She lives in Pinecrest and has lived in Dade County most of her life, she used to frequent the Grove all the time, she actually went to school at Carrollton, but now she doesn't visit us much, I asked her why and what her opinon of the Grove was. I loved that we had someone from the outside looking in since we are so busy telling each other how great we all are at meeings, and truth be told, people don't know we are so great.
Her answer was something like, "We don't even know the Grove exists anymore. Other than the Arts Festival, you never hear anything going on."
Ironically, we have something going on every week and almost every night of the week. Look at our Calendar of Events to prove this.
We need to tell the rest of the county what is going on. I like to think that everyone gets their news and events from the Grapevine, but honestly, our readers read us daily because they know about us, and the rest find us through search engines, while searching for Grove events. If people are not familiar with the Grapevine or are not searching for Grove events, they don't have a clue.
We are still working on the brochure to be given out at rest stops along the turnpike, but I think it may also be important to give the brochures out around the county at restaurants and events where people congregate.
Maybe the trolley idea isn't too lame. Maybe we need a rolling billboard to drive around the county and tell people we have events going on like art stolls and poetry night and the Bed Race and plain old "non-events" -- we have shady, tree-lined streets and a sailing presence where people can just hang out and enjoy. What we have that many other places don't have are characters -- we have our citizens -- our cast of characters -- the ones you read about daily in the Grapevine. People like mix and mingle with us, we just need to remind them to come back and visit.
posted by Tom Falco at 12:30 PM
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9 Comments:
I do think your comment on the necessity of publicity beyond your wonderful blog is critical to attracting people to the Grove. If I do not live here and Google Miami Fl activities, I do not get Coconut Grove on the first big list. I clicked on more activities, and on the second page, the Improv is mentiones. I don't know how a town like the Grove gets on that list. Maybe someone knows? Even locals do that kind of Internet search to see what's going on. Plus, if it's listed in the Herald Weekend section, that's important. Keep up the great work!
Going to put my two cents in here as this just happened. Lady walked in she is staying in Ft. Lauderdale but had an hour before needing to be at Children's Hospital in CGables.
She asked about the art scene as she heard about it and wanted to know where the other galleries were. I recommended Commodore Plaza. Didn't have much time this trip but She will return to Fl. in May, I gave her the grapevine blog and told her to check it out before her arrival. Lets hope for the best.
I talk to everyone entering. The next person was from RI and wanted to know where the artists are? She's an artist, lived here many years ago and hung out in the Grove. She is looking to come back as a snowbird. If this reportage doesn't bore I will share the inquiries I get here in the gallery. Don't forget this is the 1st Sat. of the Month ART STROLL
How about you show the masthead with artists painting on the street.
Just in!
Lady " I was expecting to see more galleries"
me" Any particular reasons why? " Lady " I was here 10 years ago."
Thats all folks.
I try to tell my friends about things going on in the grove all the time but it is hard to pass along info. Most people don't want to look things up (like the calendar). I remember asking about a flyer or some ad for the taste of the grove in order to forawrd that to friends, family and coworkers so that they would know about it, the prices, restaurants. The answer I got was - look around the grove there are flyers and posters posted with the info. Which is great and all - if you live here but it does nothing to help pass the info on to others. Now, I don't mean we need a freaking flyer or someone is responsible for making stuff but if you are already making one why not make it available to the residents to send to friends, family and such?
And before I forget - NBC6.net has a commmunity calendar where upcoming events can be posted. Every day they tell people to check it out - maybe grove events can be posted there as well - it is free.
When people come to visit us from out of town they want to go to the design district for both art and food.
No visitors have described the feel of the Grove as crunchy or bohemian. Our friends find it plain old overpriced "see and be seen" Miami.
Coconut Grove property owners have out priced venues that would draw a creative population. Just look at all those funky new places that had to open up on the other side of Route 1.
South Florida Daily Blog has a weekly "weekend events" feature posted in it's sidebar. That blog gets lots of traffic from all over Florida so if the Grapevine listed wknd events every week, or maybe even if you provide SFDB with a link to the calendar, the Grove would gave representation there as well. Just an idea.
South Miami used to publish a flyer with their events on it and they would distribute it throughout the Grove which really aggravated me. Miami Monthly could take their magazine to Brickell and S. Miami and put it in stores, restaurants, banks, etc.? Most people when they travel contact the local Chamber of Commerce.
What can we do to get New Times to include more grove events in it's out and about section?
I read that every thursday to see what's going on for the weekend. Also, on their website you can submit events into their calendar. Can BID or the Chamber or one of these entitites start submitting events? People - especially younger 20s and 30s really read that religiously and look for events there.
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