The Estevan Mercury is not just Estevan’s oldest business, as it dates back to 1903, but it is also a champion of the business community in Estevan.
Deanna Tarnes, who is the sales manager and publisher for the Mercury, said small businesses build the community and support many different causes in the city. It’s important to emphasize that point during Small Business Week, which runs from Oct. 20-26.
“They are the generous people of our community,” said Tarnes. “When everybody says Estevan is a generous community, and Estevan pulled together, it is the small business owners who are a big part of that.”
The Energy City is home to a diverse business community that allows people to stay shop locally, rather than going out of town. People can find clothes and accessories, food, home décor products, renovation materials and much more in Estevan.
“They create jobs for our community,” said Tarnes. “They’re just a pillar of our community.”
The changes that have occurred in Estevan’s business community for more than 115 years have been witnessed and documented by the Mercury, but there have been constants, including the variety of merchandise available in Estevan and the contributions small businesses have made to the city.
“The Mercury thrives on the local businesses supporting us, as we are also a local business,” said Tarnes.
The Mercury also loves to work with entrepreneurs to market their small businesses. They have their traditional print advertising through the Mercury, Southeast Lifestyles and News Break, and through the specials that are offered in those publications each year.
“We can get the word out to the masses about what your business is, what your services are, what you sell, or if you have an event or a sale coming up,” said Tarnes. “We can put your message in every single mailbox, every single week.”
The Mercury has also expanded into the digital world, and there are multiple ways to market a business. Not only does the www.estevanmercury.ca website average more than 6,500 page views a day, with many users coming back numerous times during the day, they can work with clients on social media, direct target marketing on the Internet, and provide knowledge of the online world.
“If you really don’t know how to do something on Facebook, give your sales representative a call. They can help you out. That’s what we’re here for, is to help you with your marketing.”
It means the Mercury can get your message out to everybody’s devices on a daily basis.
“We love to work with the small businesses with all of our promotions and giveaways and our contests. We love to make a contest that everybody can give away a great prize, and we like to make affordable options for everyone. There is something for every budget.”
The Mercury sales team has built an excellent rapport with local businesses, and looks forward to continuing that relationship. They recognize how busy local business owners are, and they want to help entrepreneurs every way they can with marketing needs.
