Customer Highlight | Word Out Influence
No one helps local businesses grow like other local businesses. When we met Anne from Word Out Influence, it was clear we are cut from the same cloth! At Swift, we love supporting local whenever we can and always appreciate other small businesses doing the same.
IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE: MEET ANNE DIVITTO
Run by local networker, influencer and social media strategist Anne Divitto, Word Out Influence is your go-to for full-service influencer campaigns in Grand Rapids and beyond. They specialize in connecting brands with creators, amplifying brand awareness and driving meaningful engagement through social media.
And how do they do it so well? Because Word Out Influence was founded by and is run by an influencer herself!
“Since I have experience partnering with businesses as an influencer, I know Word Out Influence is uniquely positioned to make connections and walk both brands and creators through successful partnerships,” says Anne.
EVERY BUSINESS COULD USE A LITTLE INFLUENCE
Word Out Influence was founded in 2020, and came under Anne’s leadership in 2022. In just a couple years, Anne has worked with a variety of businesses, from restaurants to salons and agriculture organizations to mobile apps.
“Coming from working for a large healthcare organization, I love the shift of working one-on-one with local business owners and being able to dig deep,” says Anne. “We come alongside them and support their ideas by bringing awareness to their business and what they offer to our local community.”
Word Out Influence has a great strength in working with local businesses because they are happy to tailor programs to the unique needs of the client. And because it’s a small team, it’s never hard to get in touch or get the critical details organized for your campaign.
Every month, Anne coordinates influencer attendance for Downtown GR, Inc.’s Third Thursday event with Avenue for the Arts. Third Thursdays is a multi-venue showcase of over 25 locally-owned art galleries, retail spaces, restaurants and cultural institutions along the free DASH shuttle route. You can find things to do and see in a variety of GR neighborhoods, including Heartside, the Hotel District, Studio Park, and North Monroe.
Word Out Influence has also been working this season with the Michigan Agriculture Council on managing a list of VIP guests for farm dinners. At these dinners, influencers are able to experience the bounty of Michigan farms – while on the farm! See some of this content on the @migrownmigreat Instagram account.
WORD OUT INFLUENCE x ARTPRIZE
By now, we all know how much Swift Printing (and Jes, let’s be honest!) loves ArtPrize. Know any other local print shops entering art into an international competition? No, we didn’t think so.
With so much art to see and only a few weeks to explore it all, ArtPrize can often feel overwhelming! This year, ArtPrize has partnered with a company called Flockx to organize not only the art on display, but also all the experiences that ArtPrize season has to offer. Flockx calls itself your social AI sidekick, with everything you need to navigate the festival, vote for entries, discover local art and more.
"ArtPrize is excited about the partnership with Flockx which will offer visitors a more engaging and inclusive art experience, enabling everyone to join in the thrill of discovering art and to participate in the voting process," said Catlin Whitington, ArtPrize Executive Director.
Word Out Influence is partnering with ArtPrize and Flockx to bring awareness to the app’s tools during ArtPrize season. See Anne on FOX 17 Morning News talking about Flockx for ArtPrize!
SWIFT PRINTING: ALL THAT THE NAME IMPLIES
Anne and Jes met this past spring when Anne was sharing her services with Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. Later, Anne came to the StockBridge Business Association to connect with more WestSiders. Next thing you know, Anne placed an order for stickers to seal thank-you notes for Word Out Influence—and the rest is history!
Anne took a tour of Swift Printing while we wrapped up her order and was inspired by the history behind Swift and our focus on community. She loved it so much that she made a video on her Instagram @grandrapidsgirl to share with her followers!
“Swift isn’t just a business, they have woven themselves deeply into their local community,” says Anne. “They want to make sure their neighbors are as successful as they are, and they commit the time and energy to make it so.”
Consider Word Out Influence for your next influencer marketing plan, or work with them to explore this valuable marketing strategy for your next campaign or launch.