Before you ask, I haven’t won the lottery. An uncle did pass away last year
but he wan’t wealthy, and he didn’t include me in his will. As to treasure, last month I found a 1939 dime in my change, and acquired a promotional brochure for Dinosaur Caverns (now Grand Canyon Caverns). So, you may ask, how do I intend to share the wealth? What, exactly, are the golden opportunities alluded to? To explain that, I will need to start with a bit of shameless self promotion.
First, I am taking to the road again. On July 22, I will be signing books and the new DVD at Autobooks-Aerobooks, 2900 Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank, California. There are other tentative appearances in southern California that bracket the one in Burbank but these are awaiting confirmation. I will provide dates, times, and locations as soon as possible. Also, please feel free to contact me to schedule an appearance; a book signing, a presentation, or both. For the 2017 season I have created a presentation entitled Kingman, Arizona: 120 Years of Tourism.
The presentation may seem a bit narrow in scope. However, as it includes tales of Louis Chevrolet, Buster Keaton, and Clark Gable, political intrigue that resulted in the rerouting of a highway, and the arrest of a celebrity for indecent exposure, I am confident that you will find it interesting.
One more. In April, two new books with Jim Hinckley in the byline were released. To be a bit more specific, it was one new book, Route 66: America’s Longest Small Town
And that takes us to golden opportunities and sharing the wealth. Every author, photographer, and blogger that I know from Jim Ross and Rhys Martin to Michael Wallis and KC Keefer are generous to a fault. They often struggle to find that balance between giving of their talents and eating on a regular basis. They are also inundated with requests to support or endorse one cause or another, usually for little or no compensation. Then there is the no small mater of reputation which requires extreme diligence before endorsing anything.
Recording episode two of Jim Hinckley’s America: A Trek Along Route 66 with Efren Lopez at Grand Canyon Caverns.
I mentioned this previously but toward the end of last summer a request was received for assistance in the development of an innovative initiative entitled Promote Kingman. I too receive requests for assistance and endorsements on a fairly regular basis but this project was so unique, and the developer so passionate and sincere, my curiosity got the best of me. Adding further incentive was the fact that there was an opportunity to develop a couple of pet projects. Fast forward to June 2017.
This view of Beale Street in Kingman, Arizona is courtesy the Mohave Museum of History & Arts.
The initiative has fallen a bit short of its profitability goal. It has, however, exceeded expectations in regards to its primary purposes. One, provide international marketing opportunities for businesses regardless of available advertising budget. Two, create a network of partners and in the process, magnify the work of event organizers, the tourism department, and the chamber of commerce, and most importantly, foster development of a sense of community.
To date the Promote Kingman initiative has developed a Facebook-website presence that routinely reaches more than 30,000 people per week, has hosted numerous events that showcase businesses or enhances festivals, and developed a video series that will be utilized by Kingman Area Tourism. It has also facilitated partnered events for tour groups, created an array of promotional opportunities for partner businesses and organizations including video commercials, created an historic district walking tour that utilizes photos provided by the Mohave Museum of History & Arts, and developed a substantial network of international partnerships for marketing as well as promotion of the Kingman area.
Well, with the successful Promote Kingman initiative as a template, developers have launched Promote Havasu (for Lake Havasu City, Arizona), Promote Bullhead (for Bullhead City), and Promote Route 66, Facebook pages. The website for Promote Route 66 is active, and the others will follow shortly. Promote Flagstaff is on the drawing board.
In addition to providing benefit to these communities, the initiatives will strengthen the overall promotional network. To say the very least, as the primary focus is on community development, I am quite honored to be a part of this endeavor. So, here are a few of the golden opportunities.
First, the video series. As my name is on this, I want it to be right, I want it to encourage people to travel, and I want people to enjoy it. I also want it to promote businesses and communities. So, we are looking for sponsors, business, corporate, or community. In addition to credit in the video and exposure through the sale of the video at gift shops along Route 66 and online, sections of the video files will be made available to communities for their use in marketing and promotion. To date, sponsors include Kingman area tourism, Grand Canyon West Resort, Ramada Kingman, and Grand Canyon Caverns.
Episode two and three are under development, but we would like to get the next project on the schedule and initiate planning. We would like to profile your community. So, if this service and promotional opportunity is of interest, please drop me a note.
Next, for as little as $25.00 and $50.00 per month a business can reach an international market. Even better, there are demonstrable numbers to document the reach, and endorsements from business owners. Next, Steve, the developer of the project is so serious about making community development through partnerships a priority, he is willing to even offer free participation in the advertising network at no charge. And if you want something like a complete website with dependable maintenance and regular upgrades linked with social media marketing he can do that as well, and for less than the price of a couple expensive diners. The most recent endeavor was creation of a website linked with social media for Dunton Motors Dream Machines, a family owned Route 66 business since 1946.
If this seems like a commercial, in a sense it is. However, it is a bit more than that. It is an opportunity, a way for me to give back to the people that have been so supportive over the years. It is a way for me to help my favorite small town, Route 66.
Take a look at Promote Kingman and Promote Route 66, website and Facebook page. Let us know what you think, how we can improve, and what we can do to assist you. Also, feel free to share and post stories, photos, and especially events. Development of a comprehensive calendar of events is at the core of what the project is about.
Would like a little more information on this. Does Winslow have anything?
Yes, please give me a call.