Be a Participating Community!

Thank you for your interest in joining organizations across the state supporting stores, restaurants, venues, and other community spaces that are part of everyday life! Now more than ever it's important for Minnesotans to show up for the places that show up for our communities.

Below is your guide to bringing something special to your community--our Real Impact, Real People, Real Communities campaign February 22 - 28.

Get started with the three easy steps below! Need a hand? Let us know here or reach out to any leadership steering committee member.

Step 1: Customize Your Graphics Using Our Templates

We've put together customizable templates for you in Canva.

To customize the templates below:

• Replace [community] with your community, neighborhood, or area:
• a city (e.g., Marshall)
• a neighborhood (e.g., North Loop)
• an area (e.g., the Midway)
• a district (e.g., Downtown Monticello)
  
  
• Optional:Personalize the stock background image and overlay color.
  
  
• Important: Keep dates consistent -- February 22 - 28.
  
  
• Recommended: Use “support your community” language to be inclusive of all local businesses and community organizations, as opposed to a straight “shop local” message.
  
  
• Recommended: Anchor other visuals or headlines with "Real Impact. Real People. Real [community]."
  
  
• Did you design another template you think others would appreciate, or do you have a suggestion for a size or format? E-mail us at community@mnretail.org!
  

Step 2: Create Your Marketing & Social Media Plan

We bet no one knows how to rally support in your community better than you! Put that local influence to work by connecting with your stores, restaurants, venues, and other community spaces that are so important to your community and drive local spending February 22 - 28.

Be creative! Feel free to designate special days and work with your local media to make sure the message gets out!

Here are a few items that might help:

Suggested Hashtags

• #RealImpactReal[insert your community]
• #RealImpactRealPeopleRealMN
• #ShowUpFor[insert your community]
• #ShowUpForMinnesota

Social Media Template

Real Impact. Real People. Real [community]. From Feb. 22–28, show up for the places that make our community feel like home. Every purchase supports real people right here in [community]!

Narrative (Long)

Behind every business in [community] are real people — owners, employees, and families — showing up every day to keep the lights on and serve their neighbors.

When you support our community, the impact is real and immediate. Your dollars help cover payroll, pay the rent, and keep familiar doors open. They support local jobs and the places that make [community] feel like home.

February is one of the toughest months of the year for many businesses and organizations. From February 22- 28, we’re inviting you to show up for the places that show up for us — the stores, restaurants, venues, and other community spaces that are part of everyday life.

Every purchase made in the community during this week creates real impact, helping doors stay open, our neighbors stay employed, and organizations stay rooted right here in [community] — and across Minnesota.

The Real Impact, Real People campaign is powered across the state by Minnesota Retailers, Hospitality Minnesota, [community] and hundreds of other partners! Learn more at www.RealImpactRealMN.com.

Narrative (Short)

Real Impact. Real People. Real [community].

From February 22–28, show up for the businesses that show up for our community. Every purchase made in [community]  helps businesses stay open, people stay employed, and organizations stay rooted right here at home.

Step 3: Share With Your Community & Us!

Once you’ve customized your materials, spread the word in ways that work best for your area.

We encourage you to:

• Share the campaign on social media.
• Include the message in newsletters, emails, or community calendars.
• Post window signs in local businesses and gathering spaces.
• Encourage businesses and community organizations to post and use the campaign graphics.
• Mention the week at community meetings or events.
• Highlight participating businesses, organizations, districts, or neighborhoods.

Important:

If your community, neighborhood, or organization is taking part, let us know. Click here to share your name (and any links) so we can list you on the Participating Communities page and help amplify your efforts across Minnesota, or e-mail us at community@mnretail.org.

Need a hand?

We’re here to help. If you have questions, want help customizing materials, or would like ideas for promoting the week in your area, reach out—we’re happy to support you and make participation easy.

Contact us here, send an e-mail to community@mnretail.org, or find the list of leadership steering committee members here.