Winnipeg business feels it isn't hard to get into the news if you have a unique idea
Greg Donkers feels it isn't difficult to get into the news, but it isn't a consistent help.
(A screenshot of Hearo’s logo with permission from co-founder /KALKIDAN MULUGETA)
Highlighting local businesses in the news is a great way to support them and also let your audience know what's happening locally. Greg Donkers, one of the co-founders of Hearo, said it isn't hard to get in the news if you have a unique idea.
"It's not like getting a news article is gonna all of a sudden shoot your business up, it's just one step in that brand awareness," said Donkers.
Hearo is a location-based audio adventure in Winnipeg.
Similar to other location-based games like Pokémon GO, Hearo takes you out of the house and lets you explore the city while playing.
One of their games was a murder mystery. You took on the role of a detective and were trying to solve a murder. As you wandered through Downtown Winnipeg, you found clues that would lead you to the truth – all on your phone.
"It was a lot of research into detective life and police work, and that kind of stuff to make it realistic," said Donkers.
Donkers said Hearo started as a sub-section of Tripvia Inc. with smartphone audio walking tours five years ago.
Donkers decided to post about Tripvia Inc. on Saskatchewan's Reddit, which unexpectedly blew up and journalists were calling him to write stories about Tripvia Inc.
"We had about a month of 'oh wow, it's in the news people are booking tours and calling us’ and then it kind of like goes away, that's the news cycle. Then it's like we're back to square one now," said Donkers.
Media support
Follow-ups should be done more in newsrooms to let people know what's going on around them.
One way newsrooms can help small businesses is by having a more consistent spotlight on different businesses – not just a one-time thing.
If a business is doing something special in November and a story is written about them, provide an update on how it affected them in December.
Not only are you providing a way for business to be consistently spotlighted but you are also updating your audience on what's happening.
Something simple like a quick update at the bottom of the article that you originally posted, works as well.
More for Hearo
Donkers said they haven’t started heavily marketing yet but are slowly getting into it.