Ontario Small Business Support Grant – Check your Application Status

Many of you have let us know that you have applied, and some of you have been notified that your funds are on the way!  For those still waiting for confirmation, you can now check the status of your application here: https://www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/msrf/#/home#BSGStatusWindow

Scroll all the way to the bottom where it says “Check Ontario Small Business Support Grant application status”.  You will be asked to enter your authorization number (sent to you via email after you applied) and your CRA business number. 

Learn more about the grant here: http://ontario.ca/COVIDsupport

Retail Store Capacity Calculator

The Retail Council of Canada has created an online tool for calculating your reduced capacity according to colour zone, size of sales floor, and type of store. You can find it here. 

Orangeville Citizen Exclusive Offer

The Orangeville Citizen is offering a special promotion for our members.  Any business that signs up for four or more ads will receive a free Business profile. Please click here for complete details. 

Video Marketing

As we emerge from the shutdown, many of you have been incorporating new and creative ways to attract your customers and let them know that “Hey, we’re still here and we’re excited to welcome you back!” 

Video is one of the most effective ways to communicate with your customers, especially now, when so many people are at home and spending more time online than ever before.  Video is a chance to show people who you are and what your business is all about, an opportunity to entice customers to come out to shop, order take-out, or call for an appointment!   

It doesn’t have to be professional – grab your phone and take your customers on a video tour of your business, show them your product being made, behind the scenes at the office or a brand-new display in the store!   Tell them what you’re excited about for spring, what new services you’re offering, show off your bestselling products or menu items.  Post to social media with a call to action: “Come visit us” “Call now”  or “Click on our website to see our new menu” and you’re all set!

For a little inspiration, here are some great video’s posted by our members in recent months!

A Touch Of Class by Mags: https://fb.watch/3SMT7yhRoB/

Aardvark Music: https://fb.watch/3SMVorryRO/

Pear Home: https://fb.watch/3SMYUfUJnd/

 

Have a great weekend everyone!