It’s here! Poaster is ready for prime time.
This Friday, residents will start seeing advertisements on social media, email and print for this new “shop local” app.
For a resident consumer, Poaster allows you to connect with local businesses and save money. Using an app on your smartphone, the Poaster website or even through Facebook, you’ll see deals and specials from your local businesses, reminding you of all our superhero business owners have to offer. And, the app will let you book a service, reserve a table at a restaurant or even purchase items from local businesses right from your phone. With no extra fee.
For a business owner, Poaster is a sales and marketing tool designed specifically for small business. It puts the power of social media marketing, e-Commerce and Groupon-like deals and specials right in the hand of the independent owner. Best yet, it is free to use (the Chamber pays a fee on behalf of its members).
The Chamber has had fun working closely with a tech start-up, providing input on the design and functionality of a tool we think will really help small business. We are fortunate to be the “beta” community for Poaster. Founder and CEO Chris Shaw lives in Oak Park and feels certain that if anywhere there is a community supportive of our local, independent businesses, it is here. He envisions Poaster supporting thriving downtowns on “Main Streets” all over the United States and he has a growth strategy to get there. For now, however, he is laser-focused on making Poaster work here.
This rare opportunity to be the first community using Poaster means we still stumble over a bug here, or a needed fix there. Right now we are confident that Poaster works, and works well. But if you encounter something that needs improvement, let us know! Chris and his team are eager to incorporate your feedback.
So when you see Poaster in your news feed next week, please, take a minute to check it out. Download the app, watch it on Facebook and use it to support our local businesses. We think you’ll like it.
