With over 200 residents flooding the Collins Hall on Oct. 19 for the Elliot Lake and District Chamber of Commerce Awards, guest speaker Terry O’Reilly took the stage and gave pointers to residents on how to market their own businesses in the community.
O’Reilly, a Sudbury native and three-time lifetime achievement awards recipient and host of CBC’s radio show Under the Influence had the crowd laughing with his examples on “cheap and smart” marketing ideas.
“The real key to being successful in marketing is to be surprising,” he said, demonstrating multiple marketing ideas. “People respond with interest when exposed to something interesting.”
“Elliot Lake isn’t that big but with heads together, you can achieve your marketing goals. You don’t need to have a huge budget to promote your business. Just be smart about it.”
O’Reilly expressed how important it was to maintain fresh ideas to promote your business and how to be “smart” about it, giving an example of a radio ad he helped produce about razor blades and how some companies would not play the ad because of the subject.
“Big ideas don’t have to cost a lot of money,” he explained. “They just need to be looked at with fresh eyes. Push and the world will yield. An interesting idea will spark response. Deliver your messages in an unexpected way.”
With over 35 years of marketing experience, O’Reilly took part in celebrating local businesses in Elliot Lake with the annual awards night. In total, three awards were given out to local businesses for economic development, community involvement and their service.
Jib Turner, of Turner’s, was the recipient of the President’s Award for Economic Development. Since opening his doors in late 2016, Turner’s has had a profound effect on Elliot Lake, bringing in new clothing and accessories to the community. Established on the shores of Manitoulin Island in 1879, Turner’s was the newest rendition of the Pearson Plaza.
“We have had an overwhelming support from the community,” said Turner after receiving his award. “My wife and I were overly welcomed. We love being here. The community is great and everyone has been amazing. Thank you.”
The Red Briffet Award for Community Involvement was awarded to Seidel’s for the many contributions to the community. Tom Turner, owner of Seidel’s, took the stage to give his thanks.
“I’m so very honoured,” he said. “It was very unexpected. Thank you.”
The last award, the Service Excellence Award, is an award given to a business who consistently provides excellent service to its clients. The recipient of the award was In Motion Fitness. Diane Bergeron, mother of owner Todd Bergeron, accepted the award in honour of her son who couldn’t be present for the ceremony. She took the podium to thank the community from a letter written by her son.
“Elliot Lake is a unique town with a strong, unique quality about it,” she read from the letter. “This business started in 2014 and Elliot Lake holds such a special place in my heart.”
To cap off the evening, attendees could have a one on one conversation with O’Reilly on how they can improve their business ventures.
“Even if you put out 20 ads in a month, the public will catch at least four and connect the dots and come to you,” he said, finishing his speech. “People remember the unusual. Spend creativity, not dollars.”