First Wednesday at Fish

November First Wednesday at Fish

LOWER KING STREETSCAPE CELEBRATION
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12, 4:30-8:00 PM

For a list of ten proven tips for hosting a King Street Stroll go to www.firstwednesdayatfish.com.

CHRISTMAS ON KING STREET
WITH HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS

www.christmasonkingstreet.com is available to all King Street and neighboring businesses. We will post news, events and photos there, and they will also be available for posting on www.kingstreetcalendar.com. These links remain live indefinitely, so it's a great boost to our internet traffic.

Enter Charleston Home Magazine's Best Dressed Window Contest and you could win a free full page ad in Charleston Home, not to mention lots of coverage on their websites and ours. Click for details here. Thank you Misty Lister!

The Charleston Mercury is running some exceptionally affordable co-op ads on November 19 and December 3, followed by a special section of eight full color pages with ads and editorial content December 17th. Click for details here. Thank you Bill Mullen!

Ellen Moryl with the City of Charleston discussed Holiday Magic.

Brent Kahuda introduced Comcast's King Street TV promotion. Download details at www.firstwednesdayatfish.com.

Jeanne Hall discussed the Halls Chophouse recipe for successful customer relations and return visits. Jeanne also introduced Jill Braddock with Charleston Literacy, a volunteer organization that helps kids read and could really use some King Street talent on their side.

Why should you carry Charleston Magazine, Charleston Home Magazine and Charleston Weddings Magazine? It's easy, you only pay for what you sell, and the association with Charleston's most classy publications is great for your image. Contact Larry James at ljames@charlestonmag.com or call 843.971.9811.

Please welcome and visit new members Sweet 185 Sugaring Studio, Pane e Vino Restaurant, Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar.

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VIP Passports to King Street were distributed to:

• The Charleston Symphony Orchestra Revels
• The Southeast IDeA Conference at the Francis Marion Hotel
• The Charleston Ballet Theatre Guild
• The Charleston Concert Association Intermezzo Club

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ETC.
Lesesne and Ellington are partnering in a Trunk Show November 12.
Mary Porter is planning a concert with Steve Tyrell to benefit Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Randall Goldman introduced Chef Brett McKee and business partner Steve Palmer, who just opened 17 North Roadside Kitchen in Mt. Pleasant and will open Oku at 463 King Street in early 2010.

Watch for our column, Keeping Up with King Street in the Charleston Mercury.

All ten websites are listed at www.kingstreetcharleston.com. On Twitter we're @ksmg, on Facebook ksmgsusan.

Very best,

Comcast Introduces King Street TV

At November's First Wednesday at Fish, Brent Kahuda of Comcast introduced King Street TV, a new promotion and partnership with CHART, who made our King Street movies (now showing in a hotel room near you). Click here to download information about how you can be part of King Street TV.

Contact Brent Kahuda, Comcast at brent_kahuda@cable.comcast.com, or call 843-412-0027.

Contact Luke Frost, Charleston Area Room TV at lukfrost@aol.com, or call 843-460-4778.

Ten Tips for a Successful Event

Whether you're participating in a King Street Stroll or one of the many events planned on King Street for the Holidays, here are ten proven strategies for success.

1. Put something out on the street as visual bait. Half a dozen big white balloons tied together are classy and draw the eye, even after dark. Eye level, not above. Keep it in the neighborhood--Kelly at Charleston Florist has them on hand, 577-5691.
2. Prop your door open. It's the most inviting thing you can do.
3. Have a Greeter at the door, preferably the owner/manager. Introduce yourself by name, guests love it! (Inspired--and proven--by the Hall Family, Halls Chophouse.)
4. Offer refreshments. Simple is good. If you serve wine, choose white in case of spills. Do not allow alcohol to leave your establishment, you don't want your customers to be fined.
5. Don't serve from a bar or refreshment table, serve from trays. Guests appreciate the gesture and you will save over 50% on the cost of your refreshments--ask any caterer.
6. Don't have everyone hanging around the cash/wrap. Mingle. Serve. Ask and answer questions.
7. Collect information. Have a drawing for a gift certificate with email notification of the winner. Collect business cards. Provide paper and pens for those who don't have cards, and use a fishbowl or other container.
8. Play music, or better still have live music. Be well lit and 72-degrees.
9. Stay open until the event ends, later if you have guests in the store. Early closers ruin the experience for other businesses and the reputation of your events.
10. Invite your customers. Email your list. Give them a call. Send a quick card. They want to know and they want a personal invitation from you.

Other tips: Share marketing. Ask your vendors, suppliers, featured artists, neighbors and customers to help you spread the word.

Have a wonderful time showing off your business to people who are/will be your customers. You may have great sales during your event, or you may have people who will come back later. Either way, it's a priceless promotional opportunity.

Want to be on Google Page One?

Statistics show a large portion of people searching for you are searching for... YOU. As in the example above, you want them to get all the pertinent details at the top of the list, even before they get to your website, King Street site, social media, etc. Here's how to register with Google:

1) Go to www.google.com and sign in or click Create an account
2) Login at www.google.com/localbusinesscenter with your new Gmail address and password
3) Click on add a new business
4) Enter the full name of your business, follow prompts to add address, etc.
5) They will call the phone number you enter and give you a pin to complete the entry

What do you get? A nice directory page and position on a growing map that complements and helps elevate--with all the other things you do--your presence on the internet. A small but important part of your overall marketing program.

October First Wednesday at Fish

Wonderful things happen at 
First Wednesday at Fish.
Race routes get changed, Hat Ladies stroll to Fashion Week, Ballerinas meet Couture, Colleges issue Passports. Plan to join us next time in Charleston's most connected event. This is what we discussed last Wednesday...

Julian Smith announced that the Cooper River Bridge Run route has officially changed and will come down King Street at Wolf rather than John Street. ___________________________ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15
UPPER KING DESIGN DISTRICT
FALL DESIGN WALK

• Mayor Riley launches at 5:00 PM in front of the beautiful new 6,000 sq. foot urban oasis, Seeking Indigo.
• Free performance by The Charleston Ballet Theatre at 8:00 PM with costumes and appearance by Mary Porter House of Couture
• The Cannon Elliot Lounge at 45 John Street will have an upscale wedding and home displays by: Maddison Row, Bella Bridesmaid, mac & murphy, The Francis Marion Hotel, Pierre Deux, Patrick Properties, Shine, Magar Hatworks, Art Institutes of Charleston, Sunset Photobooth and more
• Charleston Magazine and Charleston Home will be there
  
• Several businesses will have designers, architects, authors and artists on hand: D2L ant artist Jeffrey Kennedy at Butterfly, Sally Baxley at Lesesne, architect William Warlick at California Clossets, Lauren Sanchez at Blue Bicycle Books will debut an l_design handbag collection. Watch www.upperkingdesigndistrict for more.
  
• Fish, Halls Chophouse, La Fourchette, Juanita Greenberg's, The Swamp Fox and Shine are cooking up surprise drinks, dishes and themes
• King Street Kitchen Company's expansion and Discover Your Inner Chef party is not to be missed!
• Southern Kitchens of Charleston has beautiful updates and Les Paul guitar give-away.
• The CVB will be open.
• Hat Ladies will join us.
• Be sure to invite your customers. They're the most important guests!
• If you need a pdf of the poster for your mailing or guidelines for serving alcoholic beverages, email me or call 843.303.1113.

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VIP Passports to King Street were distributed to:

• 300 SC/NC Women Attorneys visiting Charleston
• 500 College of Charleston Parents at Family Weekend

Up next:

• 400 Nationwide PGA Tournament VIP's
• 500 Patron of Charleston Arts VIP's for the Ballet, Symphony, Concert Association

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COMING IN NOVEMBER
The Lower King Street Ribbon Cutting and Streetscape Celebration is Thursday, November 12. Mayor Riley will cut the ribbon in front of the Charleston Concert Association at 4:30 PM followed by speeches, media attention and a classic King Street Stroll.

• Most businesses will stay open until 8:00 pm, restaurants until normal closing
• Many are planning to serve refreshments and adult beverages; guidelines and legal compliance to follow next month at First Wednesday
• Now's the time to plan your special event and invite your customers
• Files will be supplied for your blogs, websites and email distribution

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COMING IN DECEMBER
Christmas on King Street: All our PR efforts will be aimed at attracting people downtown for shopping, dining, entertainment and a great traditional holiday experience. The panic is over, the economy is building and we'll demonstrate our perfect holiday hospitality to the community and the country. Begin submitting your events and images as soon as you know the details. We will give as much space as possible to all merchants on the www.christmasonkingstreet.com site. Events, decorations, feature items, food and drink will take precedence over discounts and sales.

Bill Mullen announced the Christmas on King Street supplement to The Charleston Mercury coming in December. Remember your many customers and prospects who are not fans of Twitter, Facebook or even email during our busiest season.

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ETC.
Thanks to our friend Su Griffin from the City of Charleston for her update on the Clean King Team, and Angela Green who has the unenviable position of pointing out our violations.

Watch for our column, Keeping Up with King Street in the Charleston Mercury.

All ten websites are listed at www.kingstreetcharleston.com. On Twitter we're @ksmg, on Facebook ksmgsusan.

Very best,

Are You Keeping in Touch with Your Customers?

Sir Richard Branson and any of his Virgin companies can always be counted on for their creative and remarkable ideas for marketing their products and services. The recession has not stopped any of the innovation at Virgin. In fact, almost the opposite is true. According to Sir Richard, “Bad Times offer an opportunity to show off your brand’s true colors”. He feels that consistently communicating your values and attitude keeps your customers loyal, despite a long and bumpy ride. “If they don’t hear from you, they will lose interest and go elsewhere."

via theessentialorange.blogspot.com

September Mid-Month Update

Paint the Town Pink All peninsula businesses are invited to participate in the Lowcountry Pink For The Cure Window Contest. Just decorate your window with a pink theme of your own interpretation, include a Race for the Cure poster, and leave it in place from October 2-17. Email Susan for more information or a copy of the Contest brochure, or visit www.komenlowcountry.com/race. Deadline for registration is September 30. King Street Calendar With all the savvy marketers in our King Street Group, and all the ways we tell people about King Street and our neighbors online, live and in print, we have a news empire of our own! Now there's a calendar to keep it all straight.   Watch for more news as King Street's calendar syncs with other important calendars, like the City, the CVB and local online and print publications. King Street Goes to Daniel Island The City of Charleston and Daniel Island Business Association Sponsor Third "Weathering the Economic Storm" Business Workshop on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 8:15 am at the Daniel Island Branch of the Berkeley County Library at 2301 Daniel Island Drive. map The workshop will consist of two panels. The first will cover business financing with speakers from Wachovia/Wells Fargo and the Charleston LDC. The second panel will discuss strategies for marketing on a tight budget, with topics including social networking, co-op marketing, and web-based marketing. The speakers for this panel are: · Susan Lucas, King Street Marketing Group · Gregg Hoffman, King Street Marketing Group · Colleen Troy - Touchpoint Communications, 409 King Street This event is free of charge. To participate, email Alexis Gross in the Office of Business Services or call 843-724-3796. Keeping Up Watch for our column, Keeping Up with King Street in the Charleston Mercury. Follow us on Twitter @ksmg Facebook ksmgsusan, and of course... www.kingstreetantiquedistrict.com www.kingstreetfashiondistrict.com www.upperkingdesigndistrict.com www.cannonelliot.com www.shopkingstreetcharleston.com www.christmasonkingstreet.com www.charlestonweddingdistrict.com www.kingstreetcalendar.com Very best,

September First Wednesday at Fish

Marketing News Passport to King Street may be our most popular program yet, with groups lining up for a shot at VIP treatment on renowned King Street. Watch Passports come together for all of Charleston's big events (PGA Nationwide Tour, SEWE, Spoleto, Fashion Week, Family Circle Cup, etc.) and groups of all sizes, the first three coming in October. Be sure to send your 40-word description and your offer to Susan, or call 843.303.1113. All KSMG retailers, hotels and restaurants are invited to participate at NO CHARGE. And, to date there are some very creative offers on the table. The Lower King Street Ribbon Cutting and Streetscape Celebration is Thursday, November 12. Mayor Riley will cut the ribbon between 4:30 and 5:00 PM followed by speeches, media attention and a classic King Street Stroll. Most businesses will stay open until 8:00 pm, restaurants until normal closing Many are planning to serve refreshments and adult beverages; guidelines and legal compliance to follow Now's the time to plan your special event and invite your customers Files will be supplied for your blogs, websites and email distribution Upper King Design District Fall Design Walk has a spectacular lineup this year. Special guest Mayor Riley to launch at 4:30 or 5:00 PM Free performance by The Charleston Ballet Theatre at 8:00 PM with costumes by Mary Porter House of Couture The Cannon Elliot Lounge at 45 John Street will have an upscale wedding and home displays by: Maddison Row, Bella Bridesmaid, mac & murphy, The Francis Marion Hotel, Pierre Deux, Patrick Properties, Shine, and more Charleston Magazine and Charleston Home have a big roles Several businesses will have designers, architects, authors and artists on hand (watch for our favorite ant artist, Jeffrey Kennedy.) Restaurants are cooking up surprise drinks, dishes and themes Design Walk is October 15 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM in the stores and showrooms, and from 8:00 to closing in restaurants and bars. Everyone on Upper King Street is invited to participate, and many of our neighbors will join us as well. If you would like to register, host a special event or be a sponsor call Susan at 843.303.1113 or email susan@kingstreetmarketinggroup.com PR and Giving Opportunities The Arthritis Foundation's D'Vine Affair  is October 1 at the Charleston Visitor Center and many King Street merchants will be represented in the silent auction and King Street Stroll. Contact Susan if you would like to participate in this partnership between King Street and MUSC. The Charleston Ballet Theatre will print their season-long program soon, favoring King Street businesses with very special advertising rates. Don't miss this opportunity to have the Ballet work for you. You'll be glad you did when the Grinch patrols King Street this holiday season and the Ballet supporters visit you all year. Discussion continues at next month's First Wednesday At Fish: - Christmas on King Street - Be A Tourist in Your Own Town - More King Street Concierge Events and VIP Passports to King Street - More members in all areas: welcome La Fourchette, Bella Bridesmaid, Allison Sprock Fine Art, Charleston Power Yoga, The Mills House Hotel and Estate Chandeliers! Watch for our column, Keeping Up with King Street in the Charleston Mercury. King Street's websites are: www.kingstreetantiquedistrict.com www.kingstreetfashiondistrict.com www.upperkingdesigndistrict.com www.cannonelliot.com www.shopkingstreetcharleston.com www.christmasonkingstreet.com www.charlestonweddingdistrict.com and you can follow us on Twitter @ksmg Very best,