Exmoor and West Somerset is great but where's the buzz?

In response to my post about improving communication in Exmoor and West Somerset yesterday, Clara Lawrie wrote:

The answer for all three of your example visitors is the Minehead & districts' website, www.aboutmyare.co.uk/ta24 - at the risk of this being an advert:

Not only does Minehead have a tennis club, we also have bowling; table tennis; running; sailing & water sports; and boxing club (although I don't think your lady would want to get involved there - but you never know) From Amnesty International to The Scouts, West Somerset will welcome everyone! The best club for your elderly gentleman would be our local U3A, an organisation I have a great deal of respect for as it is the answer to every retired/semi retired person’s question: "What to do now?" answer: "Anything you want to, and keep learning and keep active".

Clara thanks for joining in the debate :-)

As I said in my post

"I am not saying that there are no sources of information. I am merely asking how easy do we make it for Jemima? I believe this really matters. If other areas make finding activities easier, Jemima will go elsewhere next time."

I just walked up the Avenue in Minehead to check my facts. I couldn't see anything about the things you mentioned. I suspect the same holds true in Swain Street, Watchet and elsewhere in Exmoor and West Somerset.

My point is not that information isn't available or that the activities are not happening. My point is about how much in your face the information is.

Take the Eden Project, for example. I spent some of my really hard earned money on a visit to the Eden Project and didn't really enjoy it at all. It cost me a lot of money and I was shuffling around with lots of other people. I'm sure many would enjoy the Eden Project experience but I didn't.

I kept thinking. I would prefer to be walking on Exmoor in real nature. To me, Exmoor was a better experience and it's free!

The point I'm making is that the guys over at the Eden Project are really savvy. They have achieved a huge buzz about the Eden Project and so they get lots of people going there. Well done them!

If we want the same numbers to come to Exmoor and West Somerset, we must create a buzz at least as big as they do over at the Eden Project - but we have a long way to go.

I'm sure your web site needs to be part of the buzz and there are many other online facilities that will contribute too. The important thing is that the whole level of buzz needs to be increased and we need to identify how to do that.

OK now the point about web entrepreneur Chris is that he can go anywhere and he can also find out about anywhere (including abroad). He is a high earner and, if we can attract him to Exmoor and West Somerset, he would probably employ some local people at higher rates of pay to help him (one of the West Somerset Councils key objectives).

But Chris is as susceptible to buzz as we all are. If he hears that exciting ideas are coming out of West Somerset and he sees it's also a great place to live, we may have him hooked.

But we must have interesting ideas and we must discuss them really loudly at a National and International level to get his attention.

One person can't create such a buzz. It needs the efforts of a whole community of like-minded people pushing in the same direction. This means a huge level of coordination. Above all, we need to talk to each other.

As far as Fred is concerned, he can grumble and mumble in the clubs and pubs of West Somerset, he can join U3A, he can write letters to the West Somerset Free Press but he currently has no clout.

Fred is potentially a committed change agent (sorry about the jargon). If we take him, give him a place in the regeneration drive, possibly even unpaid, he could play a really important part. Let's send him on a speaking tour across the county to tell the world all about Exmoor and West Somerset. Lets send him to conferences about regeneration. Whatever we do, lets not ignore him. A little bit of expenses money for Fred could reap far greater rewards than millions spent on Local Authority capital projects. He is ready and eager. Let's prime him and light the fuse!

Fred is just one person but for a successful buzz, we need lots of Freds (or Fredas). They are our emissaries. They can send shock waves radiating out from Exmoor and West Somerset saying:

"Talk to us, argue with us, join the debate. We've got masses to offer and we want you to join us in Exmoor and West Somerset. Don't hang about. Come on down. Whatever you do, just don't ignore us!"

In my previous post about extending the hand of Christmas goodwill, I suggested that Exmoor and West Somerset web site owners should link through to relevant local sites. Each local cross reference increases the chance that an online visitor will find a local web site of interest to them and may be a precursor to them physically coming to the area. Cross referring our sites is about buzz too.

Clara, I'm sure many people who read my post about improving communication in Exmoor and West Somerset yesterday had the same thoughts as you. By taking the time to voice them, you have given me the opportunity to address the issues.

Thanks for your comments Clara. Keep them coming.

To everybody else, your comments are really welcome below. Let's create that buzz!

Let's talk!

Rob