We were lucky to catch up with Marshall Steingold recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Marshall thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?
During my years as publisher of Miami Maps, I’ve found that hotel concierges and front desks are eager to use our City Guides to direct visitors and tourists to local businesses.
With the advent of smart phones, laptop computers and Ipads, people still want to have something to hold in their hand
that can direct them to a restaurant, retail store, cinema, museum, and more.
The most innovative thing we have done is to organize client visits to the hotels. By introducing the business owner to
the hotel concierge – on a one to one basis, is the program that ties together the client’s ad in the GUIDE with
the concierge that will direct business their way.
It’s absolutely essential to maintain that relationship. Many concierges and front desk personnel come and go – so it is
important to continue visits on a routine basis.
Marshall, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Before branding Miami Maps, I worked for the Miami Tourism Bureau. My job was to travel to different destinations and sell Miami.
I realized that every hotel used a brochure to educate guests where to go and what to do. It didn’t take long before I
started Miami Maps to represent seven neighborhoods and their businesses.
Today, we employ all the electronic tools of the trade: Website, Facebook, Instagram as well as texting and emailing to assist the traveller.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source for new clients for us has been word of mouth. After more than 20 years in this business, there is no greater acknowledgement than to be referred by one business to another.
In each area, we work hand in hand with local Chambers of Commerce, Merchant Associations, Business Improvement Districts, and local governments to engrain ourselves with the community in order to represent the destination properly.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
Gone are the days when you could just print a beautiful Guide, deliver them to hotels, and be done.
Today’s world demands that social media be a part of the process. Developing a core group of people interested in a city
has made us a micro influencer. Along with an ad in the Guide, social media doubles up on the reach of the message.
We have made tremendous strides in ramping up hits from visitors and locals on our website and social media.
People are bombarded with more information than ever, and we need to be an effective part of that!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MiamiMaps.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamimaps/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamimaps1
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshall-steingold-a87344211/