Haldimand County’s Economic Development and Tourism division is excited to announce the launch of its Real. Local. Small Business Marketing Toolkit. Available for free at BusinessHaldimand.ca, the kits include Real. Local. branded assets that businesses can use in their marketing efforts.

This announcement follows the recent launch of the Tourism Haldimand website and Real Haldimand Marketplace, both found at TourismHaldimand.ca, which provide cost free supports to assist tourism businesses in Haldimand to market to their key audiences.

Utilizing the kits, businesses can add a Real. Local. decal in their storefronts, add branded stickers to products made in Haldimand and customize signage or flyers to highlight local products and services.

The free marketing toolkits include: Proud to Be a Local Business posters, customizable local product poster templates, social media profile and post templates, “Proud Local” window decals, “Real. Local.” branded stickers and the “Real. Local.” graphic element for business use.

Haldimand County continues to support businesses through the Real. Local. campaign as seen in the Real Taste of Haldimand restaurant feature in February and Holiday Wish Book in December 2020 – both aimed at increasing awareness of the retail, restaurants and services that can only be found in Haldimand County.  The toolkit furthers the impact of these efforts and will allow businesses to proudly share what local means to them.

The creation of the marketing toolkit was funded through the support of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

“We want our businesses to feel connected to other entrepreneurs in the County, and elevate their messages using coordinated tools as a way to share their stories, products and what makes them truly local and unique to Haldimand,” said Lidy Romanuk, manager of the Economic Development and Tourism division. She added, “This toolkit is a great addition for businesses experienced in marketing, but is also an easy first step for businesses who are trying to establish their brand but aren’t sure where to get started.”

The digital elements of the Marketing Toolkit are now available for download at HaldimandCounty.ca/business-toolkit/. Physical elements including stickers, posters and window decals are available via online request form. Instructions and recommendations as to how businesses can best use the assets are also available.

Business owners are encouraged to contact Economic Development and Tourism Division staff for further suggestions on how to implement the toolkit by contacting 905-318-5932 ext. 6331 or opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca.