Most ads compete for attention. Sticky Notes own it. Before a Post and Courier reader turns a single page, your message is right there — peeled off, pocketed, and carried to the store, the phone, or the computer. That’s not advertising. That’s a handoff.
There is no more premium real estate in local print media than the front page of The Post and Courier. A Sticky Note doesn’t sit beside the news — it sits on top of it. Every subscriber encounters your message first, before they’ve read a single headline. For grand openings, seasonal sales, or time-sensitive offers, that immediacy is everything.
Unlike a print ad that stays on the page, a Sticky Note lifts right off. Readers peel it, read it, and act on it — bringing it to a register, scanning a QR code, or pulling up a website. That physical handoff bridges print and digital in a way a static ad simply can’t. It’s a coupon, a reminder, and a brand touchpoint all in one small square.
Sticky Notes are printed full-color on glossy paper with a variety of shapes available — meaning your brand shows up sharp, vibrant, and professional. The format is small, but the impression is big. A well-designed note with a clear offer and bold branding does more work per square inch than almost any other format in your media mix.
Sticky Notes excel for time-sensitive and action-driven campaigns. The strongest use cases: grand openings and new location announcements; coupon or limited-time offers; special events and community appearances; new product or service introductions; website or app launches; and referrals to a larger insert or ad running the same day. If you want readers to do something specific and soon, this is your format.
One of the most underappreciated features of Sticky Notes is zoned distribution. Rather than blanketing the entire market, you can focus on the specific ZIP codes and delivery zones most likely to convert for your business. A new Mount Pleasant restaurant doesn’t need to reach readers in Summerville — and with zoning, they don’t have to. Smarter reach means better return on every dollar spent.
60% of consumers are more likely to act on an offer when they see it in both print and digital. A Sticky Note is a natural anchor for a coordinated campaign — run the note on delivery day, and back it up with a targeted email or digital display campaign that same week. The Post and Courier’s multi-channel footprint makes this easy to execute as a single buy.
They run a Sticky Note the first Sunday of April — full color, bright blue and white, glossy — with a simple message: “Summer’s coming. $50 off your first AC tune-up. Offer expires April 30.” A QR code links to an online booking page. The note is zoned to James Island, West Ashley, and North Charleston neighborhoods where their service vans already run routes.
That same week, a supporting targeted email goes to verified Lowcountry homeowners in those same ZIP codes. Readers who peel the note off the paper and then see the offer in their inbox — twice, two formats, one week — are far more likely to book before the deadline. The result isn’t just impressions. It’s a filled appointment calendar heading into the highest-demand season of the year.
Short answer: Sticky Notes are full-color, front-page adhesive ads in The Post and Courier that readers physically lift off and carry — making them one of the highest-impact, lowest-clutter formats for time-sensitive local offers.
- Placed on the front page — the first thing every subscriber sees
- Printed full-color on glossy paper; multiple shapes available
- Readers can peel and take it to the store, phone, or computer
- Best for: coupons, grand openings, events, new products, website referrals
- Zoned distribution lets you focus on the ZIP codes that matter most
- Pairs naturally with digital for a multi-channel lift (60% more likely to convert)
Do this next: Identify your next big promotional moment — opening, seasonal push, or limited offer — and talk to the Post and Courier advertising team about pairing a Sticky Note with a digital touchpoint the same week.
- ☐ Identify your next time-sensitive offer, event, or announcement
- ☐ Define which neighborhoods or ZIP codes represent your best customers
- ☐ Choose a Sticky Note shape that fits your brand or offer creative
- ☐ Design full-color creative with a clear headline, offer, and single CTA
- ☐ Add a QR code or short URL to bridge readers to your digital experience
- ☐ Schedule your note for a high-readership day (Sunday delivery drives strong open rates)
- ☐ Coordinate a digital touchpoint — email or display — to land the same week
- ☐ Brief your team so they can reference the promotion when calls or walk-ins spike
- ☐ Track redemptions by offer code or landing page URL to measure ROI
- ☐ Review results and plan the next Sticky Note campaign before the quarter ends
The Post and Courier advertising team can help you plan the right Sticky Note campaign — including zone targeting, creative guidance, and multi-channel pairing — for your next big moment.
Contact Our Advertising Team →
advertising@postandcourier.com
AI in Advertising: What’s Legal, What’s Risky, and What to Do Now
enforcement actions since 2024
disclosure law takes effect
AI-generated ads — you may not own it
generate infringing ad content
AI has made it faster and cheaper than ever to create ads, visuals, copy, and campaigns. But the legal ground underneath it is shifting fast — and in 2026, “the AI made it” is no longer a defense. Lowcountry marketers who understand the rules will move faster. The ones who don’t will move backward.
✍️AI-Assisted Copy & Campaign Ideation
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🎯AI-Powered Audience Targeting & Personalization
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🖼️Licensed AI Image Platforms
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📊AI for Reporting & Campaign Analytics
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⚖️AI-Generated Visuals in Ads — Own It or Risk It
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🎙️AI-Generated Voices & Synthetic Performers
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📋Vendor Terms & Indemnification — Read the Fine Print
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🚫Claiming “Full AI Automation” Without Proof
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🎨Mimicking Artists, Voices, or Recognizable Styles
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🤖Publishing AI Content Without a Human Review Step
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A Mount Pleasant home goods retailer wanted to cut production time on monthly email campaigns. They built a workflow using AI for first-draft copy layered onto P&C’s targeted email list to reach verified local homeowners. A human copywriter reviewed and localized every draft — checking accuracy and adding the brand voice AI alone couldn’t replicate. They used Adobe Firefly for lifestyle imagery (licensed source), documented their process, and disclosed AI use in internal production notes. Result: campaigns out in half the time, higher open rates from better audience targeting, and no legal exposure. The AI did the heavy lifting; the human kept the brand and the business protected.
| AI Use Case | Risk Level | Key Safeguard |
|---|---|---|
| Copy drafts + human editing | 🟢 Low | Human review before publish |
| Licensed AI image platforms | 🟡 Low–Medium | Verify platform indemnification |
| Generic AI image generators | 🟠 Medium–High | Check terms; document workflow |
| Synthetic voice / performer | 🔴 High | Disclose conspicuously |
| Style mimicry / voice cloning | 🔴 Very High | Avoid for commercial ads |
| AI-only content, no human review | 🔴 High | Always add human checkpoint |
- Audit which AI tools your team currently uses in ad production
- Confirm each platform’s commercial use rights and indemnification terms
- Switch to licensed-source AI image tools (Firefly, Getty AI) for paid media
- Add a mandatory human review step to every AI content workflow
- Create an intake log: tool, plan, prompt author, reviewer, placement
- Draft an internal disclosure policy for AI-generated performers
- Review any existing marketing claims about AI capabilities for FTC compliance
- Brief agency partners on your AI use standards and documentation requirements
Ready to build AI into your ad strategy — without the legal landmines?
AI is moving fast. The legal framework is moving almost as fast. The marketers who win won’t be the ones who use AI the most — they’ll be the ones who use it the most responsibly, with the right tools, the right partners, and verified local audience data underneath it all.
The Post and Courier Advertising team works with Lowcountry businesses every day on campaigns that combine smart targeting, trusted reach, and first-party data no algorithm can replicate. If you want to talk through building AI into your strategy the right way, we’re a good place to start.
Email Marketing with The Post and Courier
Reaching local customers keeps getting harder and more expensive. Social feeds are crowded and pay-to-play, third-party cookies are disappearing, and programmatic display often spends your budget on out-of-market impressions instead of real neighbors. Email bucks the trend — it’s a direct line to a person who chose to hear from a brand they trust.
That’s the advantage of an owned-and-operated email audience. The Post and Courier has built its database from real residents who opted in — so when your email goes out through P&C, it arrives with the credibility of a local news brand readers already invited into their inbox. Here’s how to put it to work.
🎯Play 1: Choose your reach — database, segment, or market
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🎬Play 2: Target the segment that actually buys
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| Segment | Subscribers |
|---|---|
| Food | 6,008 |
| Family | 3,873 |
| Events & Entertainment | 3,048 |
| Sports | 1,881 |
| Shopping | 1,523 |
| Home & Garden | 1,065 |
| Beauty & Health | 741 |
| Business | 720 |
Seasonal options like Events and Holiday Events are also available for time-sensitive promotions.
✏Play 3: Send custom-designed creative worth opening
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📊Play 4: Read the signal and refine
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A family-owned restaurant on Coleman Boulevard wants more covers on weeknights. Instead of boosting a social post to a broad, unverified audience, they run a Segmented Email to P&C’s Food audience — 6,008 opted-in local readers who have signaled interest in dining. The custom-designed email features a Tuesday-through-Thursday prix-fixe offer and a reservation link. Because it lands in inboxes that already trust the P&C brand and chose to receive it, the open and click numbers give the restaurant a clear read on demand — and momentum for the next send.
Short answer: The Post and Courier’s email marketing lets local businesses send a custom-designed message to 145,000+ opted-in South Carolina subscribers — as a full-database send, a targeted interest segment, or a specific market.
- Total reach: 145,012 deduplicated opt-in subscribers across the SC footprint
- Charleston flagship: the O&O Sales list reaches 79,865 inboxes
- Engagement: 22.28% average open rate in April
- Full Database: your message to the entire O&O Sales list — best for broad awareness
- Segmented: target a Charleston interest audience — Food, Family, Events & Entertainment, Sports, Shopping, Home & Garden, Beauty & Health, Business
- By market: Columbia, Myrtle Beach/Georgetown, Aiken, Greenville, Summerville and more
- Creative: every send is custom-coded and professionally designed
- Current offer: BOGO half-off on the O&O Sales list — first email $1,750, second $875, or a 3-email bundle at $1,000 each ($3,000 total)
Do this next: decide whether your offer is broad, segment-specific, or market-specific, then contact the P&C Advertising team to plan the send.
- ☐ Define your goal — website traffic, foot traffic, sales, or awareness
- ☐ Decide: full database, a specific interest segment, or a specific market
- ☐ If segmenting, pick your audience from the eight interest categories
- ☐ Build one clear offer with a single, obvious call to action
- ☐ Write a benefit-first subject line and scannable body copy
- ☐ Provide brand assets so the team can build your custom creative
- ☐ Include links to both your website and your location and hours
- ☐ Schedule the send with the P&C Advertising team
- ☐ Review open and click results and plan the next send
If you want help putting this to work for your business locally, contact The Post and Courier Advertising team. They’ll help you choose the right format, pick the segment or market that fits your customer, and plan a campaign around your goals and budget.
Charleston’s Choice 2026
celebrating local favorites
nominate & vote in 2026
in 2025 across the Lowcountry
creating massive word‑of‑mouth
Charleston’s Choice is not just a contest—it is the moment each year when the Lowcountry pauses to recognize the businesses they simply cannot live without. Now in its 11th year, the 2026 program again invites more than 30,000 engaged readers to nominate and vote for their favorite local businesses across 350+ categories, from food and nightlife to home services, health, shopping, and more.
In 2025, over 6,000 businesses earned nominations and more than 125,000 votes were cast, giving local brands massive word‑of‑mouth exposure and recognition that lasts long beyond the ballot. For 2026, Charleston’s Choice is designed to serve two core groups: long‑time favorites ready to defend and expand their reputation, and emerging businesses that want to get on the map fast.
If your business has been nominated or placed before, Charleston’s Choice is now part of your brand story—and 2026 is about amplifying that advantage. A pre‑populated ballot means prior nominees are already in the system, making it easier for loyal customers to find and support you during Phase 1 (May 1–29).
Upgraded listings let you stand out with photos, descriptions, and links, turning a simple “vote” button into a full‑funnel brand touchpoint. Instead of a plain name on a list, customers see who you are, what you offer, and how to engage with you—right at the moment they are most motivated to choose their favorites.
Category, group, and package sponsorships add premium visibility: fixed 728×90 placements, print ads, and high‑impact digital positions across postandcourier.com and the ballot itself. Your name stays front and center while customers are actively deciding where to spend their money in the year ahead, creating proof you can use in advertising, hiring, and sales all year long.
For businesses that are new to Charleston’s Choice—or even new to the market—this promotion compresses years of awareness‑building into a focused, highly visible window. Readers are actively looking for “the next great” restaurant, shop, service provider, or experience in their neighborhood, giving newer brands a rare chance to be discovered alongside long‑time favorites.
An upgraded listing gives your brand the space to properly introduce itself: your story, your visuals, your links, and a built‑in share button that makes social amplification easy. Instead of hoping people stumble across your name, you give them a clear reason to click, explore, and vote.
Entry‑level options like upgraded listings or single‑category sponsorships provide an efficient path into a crowded marketplace. Bronze, Silver, and Gold packages add multi‑channel reach with bundled print, digital, and ballot exposure—helping new businesses quickly earn finalist or winner status, then leverage that badge on their website, signage, and marketing all year long.
The 2026 program introduces dedicated “Text to Vote” keywords, giving both established and new businesses a low‑friction way to turn everyday customer interactions into nominations and votes. With a simple SMS—no links, no QR codes needed—customers can take action in seconds, whether they are in your storefront, on the phone, or seeing your message on social or email.
These keywords are included in packages, group and category sponsorships, and upgraded listings—and can also be sold on their own. That flexibility lets you test the waters or layer “Text to Vote” onto your existing marketing mix, creating a seamless bridge between your real‑world customer base and the Charleston’s Choice ballot.
Charleston’s Choice runs in three clear phases: Phase 1 nominations (May 1–29), Phase 2 finalist voting (June 5–July 3), and Phase 3 celebration and publication of winners and finalists in The Post and Courier in September. Throughout, you can choose the level of participation that matches your goals and budget—from upgraded listings to Bronze/Silver/Gold packages and the exclusive Title Sponsorship for maximum market dominance.
To reserve a group or category sponsorship, or to discuss the right package for your business, contact charlestonschoice@postandcourier.com and secure placement before key categories are sold out. Whether you are defending your title or stepping into Charleston’s Choice for the first time, the big idea is simple: show up where local love is being measured—and turn that love into measurable business growth.
Get to Know: Pamela Brownstein
As the Niche Content Editor, Pamela Brownstein wears many hats and brings more than 20 years of experience working for publications statewide as a writer, editor and graphic designer. Her main role is that of Lowcountry Parent editor, but she also serves as the editor of The Post and Courier’s weekly real estate section, and previously worked as the editor of Tideline, a niche brand that focused on fishing and outdoor recreation.
Although her position focuses on editorial content rather than sales, she works closely with the advertising and marketing teams to support a well-rounded approach that benefits readers and clients alike.
After earning a degree in journalism from Penn State University, Brownstein moved from New Jersey to South Carolina in 2002, and has been working at newspapers and other publications ever since. She’s worked at The Beaufort Gazette, The Island Packet, Hilton Head Monthly Magazine, The Island News, Mount Pleasant Magazine, Charleston Moms and The Daniel Island News. She met her husband, Daniel, when they were both working at The Island Packet, and they lived in Beaufort, SC, for many years before moving to Charleston.
Over the course of her career, Brownstein has won 25 South Carolina Press Association Awards in a variety of categories, from page design, headline writing and column writing — including two awards for Lowcountry Parent in the feature magazine category.
“I’m a competitive person, so I’m proud of my accomplishments, but really I hope my experience shows that I care a lot about what I do and I work hard to produce quality results,” she said. “I hold myself to a high standard, and that’s why I like working for The Post and Courier, because the company believes in quality journalism and sets high standards for all of its brands and publications.”
Brownstein, who recently celebrated four years with the company, said she often sees her role as a bridge between different departments, and has strong working relationships that extend from reporters and photographers in the newsroom to the print and production staff based out of the press facility in North Charleston.
She works closely with her colleagues in the advertising department, as well as with those in events, marketing and King & Columbus, the in-house advertising agency, to help create cohesive reader and client experiences across brands and platforms.
“I feel very fortunate to work with so many talented people, and my position affords me the benefit of being involved with so many aspects of the company, so I have a good understanding of how things work and who does what, and I try to use this knowledge to create the best product and experience for our readers — whether it’s a print publication or a social media campaign or through Lowcountry Parent’s website or newsletter,” she said.
“Lowcountry Parent is a brand that has a great reputation in the community, and being able to continue that tradition of excellence and bringing families interesting, relevant and well-written content is the best part of my job,” Brownstein revealed.
Through the website, print magazine, newsletter and vibrant social media presence, Brownstein works across all of these platforms to produce content that is helpful and informative, in order to remain the top resource for parents — and in a position to attract advertisers as well.
Together with Multi-Media Account Executive Ashley Castanas, the two working moms collaborate to create a product that highlights the people, places, businesses and events that make Charleston such a great place to raise a family.
Staying engaged with the community comes naturally for Brownstein because she enjoys talking with people and hearing their stories, and having two active kids keeps her out and about and busy after work and on the weekends.
“When we moved to Mount Pleasant 10 years ago, I didn’t know anyone. I would literally talk to people everywhere I went — at the playground, in line at the grocery store, walking around the neighborhood,” she said.
Getting to know people and making connections has paid off because she added, “Now I run into someone I know nearly everywhere I go!”
Whether through her kids’ school, sports or other organizations, Brownstein builds relationships with people in the community and uses those networks to improve her role at The Post and Courier. “Being involved with so many different groups gives me a better perspective as far as what matters to people or what parents are concerned about, and that helps me understand what topics to cover and what kind of stories to write that will be of interest to our readers and clients,” she said.
Q: What’s your go-to Charleston spot when you need to think big about a campaign?
A: I like to go for a walk on the beach on Sullivan’s Island.
Q: What’s a fun fact others may not know about you?
A: I love live music and going to concerts, and Charleston has so many awesome venues to see so many different kinds of music! I’m really excited about High Water Festival too.
Also, I published an adorable children’s book of poetry titled, “LowKu: Haikus of the Lowcountry.”
The Big Idea: Stop Asking AI For Help, Start Giving It a Job
to have an AI “robot” by 2026
by automating reporting alone
with AI‑generated briefs
coordination time AI can touch
Most teams still use AI like a smart search bar. The real edge comes when you give it jobs instead of one‑off tasks. Click into each workflow below to see what to automate, how it works, and how to localize it for Charleston.
🤖The Big Idea: From Prompts to Workflows
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📚Workflow #1: Auto‑Research Briefs for Pitches
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📝Workflow #2: Meeting Shadow Assistant
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📥Workflow #3: Inbox Triage & Draft Replies
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✉️Workflow #4: Prompt‑to‑Campaign Builder
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📊Workflow #5: Weekly “Robot Reporter” for Metrics
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🧠Human‑in‑the‑Loop Guardrails
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⚙️Use the Tools You Already Have
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🔁Random One‑Off Prompts
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📉Manual Reporting & Slide Decks
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📅Unstructured Meetings Without Recaps
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🧩Always‑On Tabs & Context Switching
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Level Up Your Local Marketing
now using AI tools
now show paid ads (up from 1%)
in-person event budgets
with marketing automation
Click into each trend below to see what Charleston marketers are doubling down on — and which tactics are quietly fading out.
🤖AEO & AI Search Visibility
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✨In‑Person & Local Events
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📈Marketing Automation
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👥Buying Group Targeting
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📍Local SEO & Google Business
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🎥Video Marketing
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✉️Email & SMS Campaigns
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📝Content Marketing
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🔒Gated Content & MQL Funnels
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📤Cold Outreach & SDR Blasts
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🔍Keyword‑Only SEO
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📅Generic Social Posting
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Introducing: Carolyn Carver
Carolyn Carver steps into the Director of Advertising Sales role at The Post and Courier with a dynamic blend of passion, innovation, and proven revenue-driving expertise tailored to Charleston’s booming business scene. Newly arrived in the Lowcountry, this seasoned media leader—whose career spans radio giants like iHeartMedia and Townsquare Media Group—is eager to build lasting partnerships that propel local advertisers forward across print, digital, and live events.
Carver’s path reflects a relentless focus on integrated media success. She served as General Manager of WPTF Raleigh at Curtis Media Group from 2023 to early 2026, overseeing operations and sales in a competitive market. Before that, as VP of Sales at Greater Wilmington Business Journal, she drove multi-platform growth, and earlier as SVP of Sales at iHeartMedia Greensboro, she honed strategies for audience engagement and revenue.
Her ethos shines through: “My team helps local and regional businesses connect with their desired customer base to drive revenue!” This move to P&C feels like destiny, as Charleston thrives on “relationship selling and that is what my team and myself do best!”
With fresh eyes, Carver praises the area’s warmth: “Charleston’s business community is very welcoming! People are just genuinely nice and want to get to know you and what you could do to help them grow their business.” Trust is foundational: “You can tell immediately that relationships built on trust are really important!”
She’ll lead accordingly: “I lead a team of professionals who understand that in order to be successful, they need to treat their clients with respect, responsiveness, competency, creativity, dedication and a desire to help them succeed!” Expect elevation: “The sales culture is already amazing – we will just continue to take it to new levels and be the best in the business for our clients!”
Carver’s “secret sauce” is her self-named “Passionate Innovation Blend!”—fusing “emotional drive to help our clients (passion) and actionable ideas (creativity) to get the job done!” Passion ignites her team: “I am hugely passionate about helping local business achieve their goals by way of innovative media options. My drive alone gets my team excited and the positivity about being a winning team and celebrating success is at the forefront of how I manage.”
Hands-on coaching defines her: “My support comes in both idea form and being in front of our clients. That is the part I love the most! My team can always count on me to roll up my sleeves and hit the streets with them!”
Reflecting on past triumphs, Carver cherishes bonds beyond business: “I think about and have shared many stories from the years past of great partnerships with clients that have turned into lifelong connections.” Dedication pays dividends: “When you are dedicated to helping people grow their business, the rewards are truly amazing – and in a lot of cases, these business relationships have turned into longterm friendships!”
The trust lingers: “It is a terrific feeling when you know that they trust you and appreciate you long after you no longer are working on their business. I still get calls from prior clients that will ask my advice on decisions they are making.” She plans to foster similar magic here.
In two years, Carver envisions clients raving: “Working with The Post and Courier sales team feels different from any other marketing partner.” Her definition of “different”: “I hope that it does feel different, but in a great way. Different should mean that my team of professionals are making it easy to do business with us!”
True pros build legacies: “That means that they are a resource, an important piece of the puzzle in coming up with innovative and creative ways to help their clients grow their business. Anyone can sell you something once, it is a true professional who can build a long-term relationship and continue to generate great ideas to help their clients succeed time and again!”
As you get to know Charleston, what kind of place do you picture becoming your go-to spot to think big about sales strategy?
“Definitely a coffee shop because I might be a little addicted to caffeine!”
What’s a spicy or unpopular sales or marketing belief you stand by?
“I stand by the theory of ‘committing to at least 3 months’ to really give your strategy/campaign a chance to work! Marketing is an investment in your business! … Investments don’t make you rich overnight!”
Fill in the blank: ‘Local advertising works best when our sales team __________,:
“Local advertising works best when our sales team is invested – committed – passionate – listening with intent – responsive – dedicated – honest – trustworthy.”
Share a fun fact about yourself that your new colleagues and clients might not guess:
“I am a rescue pet mom and I love to garden! No one has ever guessed that I love to garden and maybe that is a direct reflection of my choice in shoes or nail polish! LOL”
Carver’s blend of grit, warmth, and strategic savvy positions The Post and Courier’s sales team for unprecedented local impact — why not reach out to see how she can help you grow your business.
The 2026 marketing playbook (and why your 2025 plan is already obsolete)
If you’ve driven down King Street or tried to find parking at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre this week, you know the holiday rush is in full swing. But while you’re focused on closing out Q4, the marketing landscape has quietly shifted beneath our feet.
As we look toward January 2026, the “playbook” that worked even six months ago is showing its age. A massive divide is opening up in Charleston: between the businesses using technology to get more personal, and those using it to simply make more noise.
Click each headline below to reveal the new 2026 playbook—and where your 2025 plan is already falling behind.
What made 2025 obsolete: Manually exporting lists, building segments, and sending one-size-fits-all blasts wastes time and leaves money on the table.
2026 play: Use AI agents to analyze who actually buys from you, auto-create meaningful segments, and trigger personalized follow-ups based on behavior—not guesswork.
Charleston example: A local boutique uses an AI agent to notice repeat buyers of a specific brand, then automatically texts them when a new shipment hits King Street—no spreadsheet juggling required.
What made 2025 obsolete: Keyword-stuffed pages like “best restaurants Charleston” are too generic for how people actually ask questions now.
2026 play: Rewrite pages and FAQs in natural language that matches real questions such as “Where’s the best quiet dinner spot in West Ashley for date night on a Tuesday?”.
Charleston example: A neighborhood restaurant builds Q&A-style content around specific locations, moods, and occasions so it’s more likely to be the single answer read aloud by a voice or AI assistant.
What made 2025 obsolete: Relying on social platforms and ad networks to “own” your audience means you’re renting your future from Facebook and Google.
2026 play: Treat emails and phone numbers like your most valuable asset and design every campaign to earn permission-based, first-party data you can keep.
Charleston example: A Mount Pleasant spa uses in-store QR codes and event signups to grow a VIP text list that performs better than any boosted social post.
What made 2025 obsolete: Relying on blog posts alone assumes your next customer still starts with a traditional search box.
2026 play: Produce short, vertical videos that answer specific local questions and tag them with locations so you’re discoverable where younger audiences actually look first.
Charleston example: A James Island home services business films 30-second “before and after” clips with on-screen tips, optimized for Reels and TikTok search instead of just another blog article.
What made 2025 obsolete: Treating social as a broadcast channel—pushing the same ad to everyone and hoping the algorithm cooperates.
2026 play: Show up in the digital “third places” your customers already love: local Facebook groups, Slack communities, and neighborhood forums, and participate instead of just promoting.
Charleston example: A Mount Pleasant retailer sponsors a popular local moms’ group and shows up with real advice, exclusive previews, and occasional offers that feel like a perk, not a pitch.
What made 2025 obsolete: Assuming print was “old school” and pouring every dollar into more digital impressions that blur together.
2026 play: Use premium print and direct mail as pattern-breakers that create a physical reminder of your brand in the home.
Charleston example: A local builder pairs targeted display ads with a beautifully designed mailer delivered to specific neighborhoods, making their message feel tangible and elevated.
What made 2025 obsolete: Waiting on perfect lighting, scripts, and studios before you show up on camera slows you down and creates distance.
2026 play: Embrace iPhone footage, behind-the-scenes moments, and real voices from your team to build trust and relatability.
Charleston example: A downtown shop owner records a quick walk-through at opening time, talking about one problem they solve for customers, then posts it with a simple “Charleston, SC” location tag.
What made 2025 obsolete: Chasing follower counts instead of the kind of influence that actually moves feet through the door.
2026 play: Partner with micro-creators who live in your neighborhoods, share your values, and regularly interact with their audience.
Charleston example: A Summerville café collaborates with a local mom who has a few thousand engaged followers and co-creates a “locals-only” morning meetup that reliably fills tables.
What made 2025 obsolete: Locking in campaigns a year ahead leaves you slow to react as AI, platforms, and local behavior change.
2026 play: Adopt quarterly sprints with clear 90-day goals, focused tests, and planned moments to pivot (or double down) based on what’s actually working.
Charleston example: A local restaurant group treats each quarter as a mini “season,” testing new creative, offers, and channels, then rolling the best-performing ideas into the next sprint.
What made 2025 obsolete: Treating community support as a side note instead of a central part of your story and offer.
2026 play: Make your local sourcing, sustainability practices, and community involvement a front-and-center narrative, not fine print at the bottom of your site.
Charleston example: A Lowcountry retailer builds a “Why We Love This Place” section on their site and features local partnerships in their campaigns, turning customers into neighbors, not just buyers.
1. Audit your “About Us” page: Rewrite it for trust, not algorithms. Use real photos of your team and your locations so both humans and AI can see you’re a real, local entity.
2. Start an SMS list: Layer text on top of email by adding a simple QR code at checkout or on tables: “Scan for a VIP treat.” Over time, this becomes one of your strongest first-party channels.
3. Film one unpolished video: Walk through your shop or office, explain one problem you solve for customers, and post it to Reels or TikTok with a Charleston-area location tag.
Trust: Pair the credibility of a long-standing local news brand with modern channels like targeted email, sponsored content, and premium print to stand out instead of adding to the noise.
Reach: Put your most human stories in front of the largest verified local audience in South Carolina, not just anonymous clicks.
Data: Tap into first-party data strategies that ensure your message reaches real Lowcountry residents, not bots or out-of-market impressions.
Here’s to a smarter 2026,
The Post and Courier Advertising Team
Your Partners in Lowcountry Growth
10 AI Prompts to supercharge your marketing in 2026
Whether you’re a scrappy startup or a Fortune 500 brand, AI—no matter the platform—has become the secret weapon for marketers who want to move faster, think bigger, and create unforgettable campaigns. In the spirit of our signature Big Idea marketing series, we’re celebrating the boundless potential of AI to transform everyday teams into creative powerhouses. As a special Thanksgiving gift to our readers, we’ve curated 10 innovative, field-tested prompts designed to unleash the best of your marketing skills. Each one works brilliantly with your favorite AI tool—ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude or beyond—and is crafted for maximum creativity, impact, and strategy.
Ready to supercharge your results? Click on each headline below to reveal a complete, ready-to-use scenario!
Click each prompt headline to reveal a fully loaded, ready-to-use scenario.
Prompt:
“Imagine you’re interviewing our main buyer personas. For each, uncover their biggest aspirations and hidden fears, content pet peeves, favorite online hangouts, and their dream buying journey.
Summarize insights, then script a message so tailored they can’t help but respond.”
Prompt:
“Act as the general in my SEO war room. Assess why [Competitor] ranks #1 for [Keyword].
Identify content gaps, draft a superior outline and meta tags, and suggest three ‘skyscraper’ content ideas that will create buzz and win backlinks.”
Prompt:
“As the creative director for our big promo, invent six totally different headline, visual, and body copy combos—each with a new angle (pain, benefit, story, humor, or numbers). Match each to a persona and predict which will win on CTR.”
Prompt:
“Transform my ‘[TOPIC]’ blog or video into: a bold LinkedIn post, a provocative Twitter thread, a punchy email intro, a video script, and a brief Instagram carousel.
Give each a distinct voice, image cue, and tailored CTA.”
Prompt:
“Construct a two-week, multi-channel campaign: list daily themes, recommend viral triggers (countdowns, exclusives), set success metrics, and specify when to pivot or double-down.”
Prompt:
“Announce our new feature in five styles: meme, FOMO story, candid video rant, infographic, and challenge post. Suggest hashtags, audience moods, and a trigger moment for conversation.”
Prompt:
“Script a 2-minute explainer with a cinematic three-act arc, narration and dialogue, visual scene cues, and a magnetic closing CTA—all for brand-new users.”
Prompt:
“Write a 3-part new-subscriber sequence.
For each: subject, preview, body (with personalization), and dual CTAs. Add timing and an audience segmentation tip.”
Prompt:
“List baseline and aspirational KPIs for campaign X, suggest top tracking and dashboard tools, predict ‘excellent’ performance, and give three ways to present results (stats, story, scenario).”
Prompt:
“Identify five repetitive marketing chores. For each: spot the bottleneck, recommend an automation or AI tool, outline the steps, and forecast results, savings, and backup plans if it doesn’t work.”