Visit Mankato working with influencers to promote Greater Mankato as a travel destination
It’s no secret that “word of mouth” has always had a strong effect on consumer behavior. If John Doe is patronizing a business and just scarfed up the #WorldsBestPizza, social media is going to know about it. On the contrary, the door of publicity can swing both ways especially if Mr. Doe had to wait a few extra minutes in line to receive his car rental and then plasters his negative review all over the Internet. So in reality, influencers are everywhere sharing their #BestTimeEver and #NeverDoingThatAgain experiences. Anyone can be a critic, but who’s to say they are a credible source? Some have even gone so far as to “arrange” negative reviews on their competitors (UFF DA!).
Influencer marketing has been a strong initiative of Visit Mankato and developing effective strategies through research of our local markets. We have built relationships with notable influencers from around the country that align with our destination’s assets. From there, we work with local businesses to build an itinerary and create an experience for these influencers to promote Greater Mankato by sharing their story through various mediums to followers from all around who share similar interests.
You’ve probably heard the adage, “You have to spend money to make money.” So how does that apply to marketing your business? It’s a common saying that means it’s hard to make money in a business without investing in supplies, products, marketing and advertising, or other business expenses. The breakdown of how much to spend in each area will most likely depend on your business, industry and if you’re a B2B or a B2C organization. The key is to focus on marketing as an investment, not an expense. 
The following guest blog post is courtesy of Abdo, Eick and Meyers Workforce Solutions.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced this week that it is applying for a $25 million grant from the federal government’s BUILD Grant Program to help fund Highway 14 expansion from Nicollet to New Ulm. MnDOT has committed to fund the difference between the $25 million grant and the full cost of the project if Highway 14 is selected for this federal grant.
