Be Featured on Cambridge: Stories Behind Our Places in 53523

Be Featured on Cambridge:
Stories Behind Our Places in 53523

We're looking for Cambridge businesses ready to share their authentic story with the community on the rebranded CAB: Cambridge Area Businesses pages

If you've completed the Personal Branding workshop and attended the Getting Your Story in the News workshop (or have a strong story already developed), here's what you need to be featured:

The Stories We're Looking For

We want authentic, behind-the-scenes stories that help people connect with the people behind Cambridge businesses. Not sales pitches. Real stories.

Examples of stories that work:

  • See this example that tells the story of Avid Gardener and the flowers on Main Street.
  • Or, this story of Max at Cambridge Jewelry.

Behind-the-Scenes:

  • The 4am routine that most customers never see
  • What goes into creating your product from start to finish
  • The process behind what looks effortless to customers

The Building Has a Story:

  • The historic details in your space that customers miss
  • Why you fell in love with your storefront or location
  • What you discovered during renovations
  • The architectural features that make your building special

What Customers Don't Know:

  • The expertise or training behind what you do
  • Why you source materials or ingredients the way you do
  • The details you obsess over that make a difference

Community Connection:

  • Why supporting other local businesses matters to how you operate
  • The customer interaction that changed how you think about your work
  • How being in Cambridge shapes what you do

Legacy & Values:

  • Keeping a multi-generational business relevant for today
  • Why you prioritize craftsmanship/sustainability/quality over shortcuts
  • What you want your business to represent in Cambridge

Before You Apply

Story Readiness

  • Your story shows what makes your business unique (not just what you sell)
  • Your story reveals something behind-the-scenes that people don't typically see
  • Your story is authentic and personal—not a sales pitch
  • You'll respond to editorial review/questions from Collaborative 523 within 5 business days
  • Your business is located in the 53523 zip code (exceptions may apply)

Visual Readiness

  • You have professional photos or have applied for the Personal Branding Photography Scholarship Program through Grow Cambridge
  • Your business location is presentable for behind-the-scenes photos
  • You're willing to be photographed (owner/key team members)

Participation Commitment

  • You agree that the original posting of this story will reside on the Cambridge: Stories Behind our Places in 53523 Facebook page and Instagram account
  • You're willing to share the original post on your own business page when published
  • You agree that your story will be rewritten to produce another original version before submitting it to other media outlets

What to Submit

Basic Information:

  • Business name
  • Owner/contact person name
  • Email and phone
  • Business address
  • Website and social media handles

Your Story (choose one format):

  • Written story (300-400 words) telling your authentic business story
  • Edited video (1-3 minutes) ready to be shared (we'll add captions and create a text post)

Photos:

  • 3-5 high-quality photos showing your space, you/your team at work, products/services, behind-the-scenes moments (or edited video showing these things)
  • OR confirmation of photography scholarship application/approval

Seasonal Considerations (optional):

  • Specific times of year your story is more relevant?
  • Upcoming milestones, anniversaries, or newsworthy moments?

What Happens Next

1. You submit your materials → 2. Editorial review (within 2 weeks) → 3. Story refinement if needed → 4. You approve final draft (within 5 days) → 5. We schedule your feature → 6. Publication on Facebook/Instagram → 7. You share with your audience → 8. We repurpose and reshare the content throughout the year(s)

Why We're Doing This

This isn't just about social media posts. We're building something bigger:

Evergreen Content You Can Use

These stories become marketing assets you can repurpose across your website, social media, and promotional materials for years to come.

Telling "Our" Story as Cambridge

Individual business stories become the foundation for telling Cambridge's collective story to travel publications, media outlets, and regional audiences. Your story helps put Cambridge on the map.

An Archive of Who We Are

We're creating a living archive of Cambridge businesses that connects our history to our present day, preserving the stories of this moment for the future.

Attracting More Attention

A collection of compelling business stories demonstrates Cambridge's vibrant community to journalists, influencers, tour operators, and visitors researching where to go. Your story helps draw others here.

Benefits of Being Featured

Reach & Exposure

  • 3,500 followers across Facebook/Instagram
  • Featured in Collaborative 523's email newsletter
  • Inclusion in future Cambridge Travel Guide
  • Exposure to influencers when those marketing campaigns launch

Ongoing Content Repurposing

  • Themed video montages featuring your story (e.g., "Meet Cambridge's Makers")
  • Custom quote graphics pulled from your story for easy sharing
  • Anniversary and seasonal reshares ("One year ago we featured...")
  • Bundled story collections by theme ("Shop Local: 5 Cambridge Retail Stories")

SEO & Digital Visibility

  • Your business tagged and linked in every post
  • Backlinks to your website
  • Increased search visibility when people Google your business name

Ready to Be Featured?

Submit your materials to: collaborative523@gmail.com

Questions? Contact Cathy at collaborative523@gmail.com