Real Life

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking to the Midwest City Rotary Club about our newspaper. It was an honor to talk to these influential citizens who have put so much effort and money into making Midwest City a top-notch community.

In my presentation, I told the club members about the importance of supporting their local newspaper. After all, we received numerous compliments about our publication and its new appearance, content and local ownership. In this business, compliments can be few and far between, so we enjoyed all of the positive remarks.

I also talked about the need for local businessmen and businesswomen to advertise in their local newspaper. In almost any chamber of commerce across this nation, the “Shop Local” campaign is one of the top priorities – and for good reason. Supporting local businesses is paramount to a community’s survival. The idea and practice of local businesses advertising in the local newspaper is not new, but it should be practiced on a regular basis.

If community leaders, residents and business owners like the product, we encourage them to conduct business with us. It’s the same when we buy gas locally, or eat at Midwest City restaurants or take our dry cleaning to a local shop.

On a personal level, I do most of my shopping in the Mid-Del area for a few reasons. First, it’s local and it saves me time and gas from traveling even a few miles to Oklahoma City. Second, I want to see all of the local businesses thrive and prosper. It’s all about supporting the community you live in, and shopping locally is part of that. We can’t just verbalize the message. We have to act by spending our money in the Mid-Del region.

Make wise decision

That brings me to a message I’ve written about before. Next month, an out-of-town news organization will attempt to publish an annual edition devoted to Midwest City and the many activities in the city. The publishers of this once-a-year newspaper will ask local merchants for their hardearned marketing and advertising dollars.

Bear in mind, this company will not return one dime of those advertising dollars to the Mid-Del area. They will not be supportive of your causes, projects, or the people who live here.

Obviously, neither the Eastword News publishers nor I can tell local businessmen what to do with their money. But we can help educate you on the drawbacks of advertising with an entity that is bent only on taking your money and never reinvesting in your city.

On the flip side, the Eastword News owners are here. We live in this area, we own businesses in this area and we shop with local merchants every day. We spend our money here so you can be profitable. Will this Canadian County publishing company do the same for you? Obviously, I’m biased, but I contend they will take your money and run.

Eastword News and its management and staff are here for the long haul. We intend to be around to write about the businesses, schools, city government, sports, churches and much more. We are easy to reach and anyone is welcome to visit me at the office at any time. The same cannot be said of the Canadian County group. They don’t want to visit with you. They just want your money.

Still, the decision to advertise in this upcoming publication remains with every business owner in Midwest City. All I ask is that you make a good one based on your needs and goals. Keep in mind, Eastword News is your local newspaper.

Until next time…. [email protected]