In this article you'll learn...that many businesses are not taking full advantage of the Johnston County Visitors Bureau and losing sales leads and brand awareness as a result. Read on to find five benefits of the Visitors Bureau which may have the power to create additional sales revenue for your company.

Here are five ways business owners can derive value from their Visitors Bureau.

1. Get on the Visitors Bureau website
One of the very first challenges new business owners face is quickly spreading the word about their venture. Did you know that many bureaus offer visitor industry businesses space on the website for free? Aligning your company with the bureau's website is a strategic move that allows you to share in the large number of community visits it generates.

At the Johnston County Visitors Bureau, each local visitor industry business has their own listing with photos, coupons, copy, and contact information. Companies can post coupons and specials throughout the year, share company news, and communicate with the community at large through their profile page. Learn more about getting your listing up and working for you - CLICK HERE.

2. Let the bureau promote your news
Most "how to" articles regarding free publicity tell you to work and befriend local reporters so that they will publish news about your company. At the visitors bureau, no such effort is needed. One of our services is publishing news about visitor industry companies and promoting events on our website, in a monthly email, or in the new Tourism Does That newsletter. Send the bureau news releases and submit visitor related events to the website.

3. Demonstrate your industry expertise via writing articles
As already mentioned, most visitor bureaus are eager to publish their visitor industry partner’s news and events. However, an even better way of using print to get in front of potential customers is to write an article that other business owners will find useful and relevant. Visitors Bureaus are very willing to post well-written articles submitted by members in their newsletter, BLOG on their website, or in their LinkedIn business page.

Visitor industry partners who provide educational content are able to promote themselves as experts instead of salespersons. Readers can contact them for their expert advice, which then becomes a very easy sales lead to convert. Ask us about topics of interest to visitors and work with our team to post up on our website. For example DYI projects for vintage furniture rehab would be very interesting to the 301 Endless Yard Sale visitors.

4. Talk about your business online and often
Visitors Bureaus are totally utilizing marketing strategies that include digital and social media. Join in the conversations with the bureau taking place on social media platforms like Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin and Pinterest.  The power of talking with tourism partners and friends of the visitors bureau has become one of the most effective grassroots marketing tools available.

The visitors bureau is seeking your content and has the means to quickly disseminate your company’s news and events to thousands of listeners.  Use the hashtag #VisitJoCo so we can curate your content and re-post, comment, and share it! 

5. Attend sales missions with your visitors bureau
You spend a large part of your day chasing down sales leads. Why not partner with the visitors bureau on their sales missions? The visitors bureau participates in statewide, national and international tradeshows for media, leisure, group and meeting planners.  Get with the sales and marketing department and become an attendee or co-partner for a sales mission. Totally emerge your marketing plan with those goals of the visitors bureau that are right for your business.

For more ways to work with the Johnston County Visitors Bureau, click here.