Educator Kevin Honeycutt of Inman, Kansas, (population 1300) is working with other locals to create a “New Billboard”: a combination QR code, Foursquare tour.
If you can’t see the video, click through to Small Biz Survival.
The basic idea is to draw in visitors from the highway, and use tools like QR codes and Foursquare to let them access video content. Not just any videos, but videos designed to welcome you, like a personal docent, to each place or attraction. If done well, the videos can help visitors feel much more engaged with the sites and locations.
I think it’s a good start for a small town, and very do-able if you have some tech-savvy people to put it together. No matter how small your town (or neighborhood) is, you have visitors right now that are using social media and smart phones. They are visiting friends, driving through, or maybe even deliberately seeking out your town. Get them engaged.
One key will be the amount of energy and interest your video docents are able to convey, even when viewed on a tiny smartphone screen.
While you’re at it, make sure you’re clearly marking your wifi sites in town, so those with wifi-only devices and international travelers can connect easily. Read more in The Importance of Wifi in Tourism.
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Beside the fact that it’s Kevin Honeycutt promoting this in a small town in Inman, KS, I think this is something every small town could and should do.
We’re looking now for students who want to make this possible. Thanks so much for posting this!