1 00:00:05,810 --> 00:00:08,990 Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. 2 00:00:09,140 --> 00:00:16,130 StoryConnect, helping communicators discover ideas to shape their stories and connect with their customers. 3 00:00:16,250 --> 00:00:20,270 Megan McKoy-Noe: How can subscribers cash in at community events? 4 00:00:20,300 --> 00:00:24,380 That's what we'll be talking about on this episode of The StoryConnect Podcast. 5 00:00:24,410 --> 00:00:29,660 Hi, I'm your host, Megan McKoy-Noe, one of the storytellers here at Pioneer Utility Resources. 6 00:00:29,660 --> 00:00:36,050 And I am joined by Erma Ratliff, community engagement and events coordinator at Kanokla in Kansas. 7 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:38,540 Erma, thank you so much for joining us today. 8 00:00:38,570 --> 00:00:39,590 Erma Ratliff: Thank you for having me. 9 00:00:39,590 --> 00:00:41,090 I'm excited to be here. 10 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:45,770 Megan McKoy-Noe: Well, I'm excited because we were talking about this at StoryConnect. 11 00:00:46,790 --> 00:00:50,720 And I am like, I haven't heard of somebody just handing out cash at events. 12 00:00:50,750 --> 00:00:51,950 It makes so much sense. 13 00:00:51,950 --> 00:00:53,510 I'm excited about this. 14 00:00:53,510 --> 00:01:01,190 But before we dive into Kanokla cash, can you start us off by telling us a bit about your telco and the communities that you 15 00:01:01,190 --> 00:01:02,000 serve? 16 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:07,270 Erma Ratliff: Yeah. So Kanokla, we are a small rural broadband based in Caldwell, Kansas. 17 00:01:07,510 --> 00:01:15,280 We started in 1951, in Harper County, and now we are all over south central Kansas, northern Oklahoma, helping 18 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:17,620 bring internet to rural communities. 19 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:19,900 Megan McKoy-Noe: Connecting people to what matters most. 20 00:01:19,930 --> 00:01:21,760 I love it. It's exciting. 21 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:24,040 So let's get down to the cash. 22 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:28,570 What is Kanokla cash, and how can I get some? 23 00:01:28,750 --> 00:01:31,900 Erma Ratliff: All right, so this is Kanokla cash. 24 00:01:31,990 --> 00:01:33,760 Megan McKoy-Noe: Oh, it looks like a dollar bill. 25 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,100 It is not a dollar bill's colors though. 26 00:01:36,100 --> 00:01:38,920 It is shades of blue. 27 00:01:38,950 --> 00:01:40,810 Erma Ratliff: Yeah. It's like our Kanokla colors. 28 00:01:40,810 --> 00:01:45,040 We rebranded a few years ago, so we put our colors on here. 29 00:01:45,130 --> 00:01:53,110 Kanokla cash is just a form of money that we hand out during events to bring people to our table, and 30 00:01:53,110 --> 00:01:55,750 it gets money out to local businesses as well. 31 00:01:55,780 --> 00:02:02,740 Megan McKoy-Noe: Well, you're saying it gets money out to local businesses, but what can I use this money for? 32 00:02:02,770 --> 00:02:10,030 I come by, and I have this really snazzy, well designed cash looking item, but with your colors. 33 00:02:10,030 --> 00:02:12,340 So you've got the blue, you've got the orange in there. 34 00:02:12,340 --> 00:02:13,660 It looks really nice. 35 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:15,730 Where can I use it? 36 00:02:15,940 --> 00:02:19,630 Erma Ratliff: Yeah. So usually we get with local vendors, like say we're going to a fair. 37 00:02:19,660 --> 00:02:25,690 We go to all the local vendors who are going to be at the fairs or the restaurants in the town, or the even clothing stores in 38 00:02:25,690 --> 00:02:28,300 the town. And we're like, "Hey, we are coming to your event. 39 00:02:28,300 --> 00:02:30,430 We want to support you as a small business. 40 00:02:30,430 --> 00:02:35,320 And by doing that, we'll tell people to come by our table to pick up their Kanokla cash, and then they'll take the cash to 41 00:02:35,350 --> 00:02:36,400 your business." 42 00:02:36,820 --> 00:02:38,950 Megan McKoy-Noe: Ooh, is it like a dollar, or is it $5? 43 00:02:38,980 --> 00:02:39,970 Do you give out $20? 44 00:02:40,300 --> 00:02:46,990 Erma Ratliff: And so yeah, we do $5. So if a family comes in and tries to get more information, it's $20, sorry, $20 for families, and $5 for 45 00:02:46,990 --> 00:02:51,880 singles. But then they can use that kind of like a little discount card at that business. 46 00:02:51,910 --> 00:02:54,040 Megan McKoy-Noe: I love that. 47 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:57,310 So where did the idea for this come from? 48 00:02:57,310 --> 00:03:03,010 Erma Ratliff: So I'm actually on the chamber board in Wellington, Kansas, and we do Wellington Bucks. 49 00:03:03,010 --> 00:03:06,070 So people can come in and buy these bucks like gift certificates. 50 00:03:06,580 --> 00:03:08,760 They can use it at all the local businesses there as well. 51 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:15,960 So that's where I got the idea of how Kanokla could use this in our communities, that we serve for different 52 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:16,770 events. 53 00:03:16,830 --> 00:03:20,760 Megan McKoy-Noe: I really like this, and I haven't heard of anybody else doing this yet. 54 00:03:20,790 --> 00:03:24,360 Hopefully we spark some ideas for other utility pioneers. 55 00:03:24,780 --> 00:03:31,800 So you said families get $20 single subscribers or members, do they have to be a subscriber? 56 00:03:31,830 --> 00:03:33,330 Erma Ratliff: No, they don't have to be subscribers or anything. 57 00:03:33,330 --> 00:03:35,370 They just have to come up and get more information about Kanokla. 58 00:03:36,060 --> 00:03:40,080 Most of the areas that we have tested this in is new areas that we're going into. 59 00:03:40,110 --> 00:03:45,930 So we're like, "Hey, don't forget to stop by Kanokla's table to get your Kanokla cash to use at any of these participating 60 00:03:45,930 --> 00:03:52,260 vendors." And we usually a couple days before the event, we have a list of all the vendors that are participating in it accepting 61 00:03:52,260 --> 00:03:56,790 the Kanokla cash, and they usually share the post, so it's really helps engagement everywhere. 62 00:03:56,820 --> 00:03:58,320 Megan McKoy-Noe: Yeah, I can imagine. 63 00:03:58,320 --> 00:04:01,020 How much cash have you given out so far? 64 00:04:01,050 --> 00:04:03,120 Erma Ratliff: So far it's probably been around $500. 65 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:04,800 So it's nice to have like a budget. 66 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:05,880 So you're like, "Hey, we have this much." 67 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:06,870 Megan McKoy-Noe: Budgets help. 68 00:04:06,900 --> 00:04:08,610 Erma Ratliff: Yes, budgets help a lot. 69 00:04:08,610 --> 00:04:13,230 So once you know your budget, you can kind of go from there and see how much cash you want. 70 00:04:13,260 --> 00:04:16,470 Like if you want $5 increments, $10, $20 however you want. 71 00:04:17,310 --> 00:04:25,260 Megan McKoy-Noe: I have to ask, have you thought about having one of those tornado boxes where the air goes 72 00:04:25,260 --> 00:04:31,950 around, and there's like dollar bills and everything, and maybe there's like $100 special bill in there that they try to get. 73 00:04:32,310 --> 00:04:34,170 Erma Ratliff: No, but that is a good idea. 74 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:35,220 I haven't thought of that. 75 00:04:35,250 --> 00:04:37,250 Like one of those money machines where you just grab it and things. 76 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:38,550 Megan McKoy-Noe: Exactly. Yeah. 77 00:04:38,580 --> 00:04:39,840 Erma Ratliff: That's actually a good one. Yeah. 78 00:04:39,870 --> 00:04:41,310 Megan McKoy-Noe: I'm just saying you could build off of this. 79 00:04:41,310 --> 00:04:42,750 This is very exciting. 80 00:04:42,900 --> 00:04:44,430 Once you're giving this out. 81 00:04:44,610 --> 00:04:49,920 So you have do you have a set budget for how much you're giving out all year? 82 00:04:50,700 --> 00:04:52,890 Erma Ratliff: Not all year. We usually just do it per event. 83 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:53,130 Megan McKoy-Noe: Okay. 84 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:55,710 Erma Ratliff: So far it's just been around $500 per event. 85 00:04:55,710 --> 00:04:58,170 But it gets people in there fast and. 86 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:02,670 A lot of these communities we go into, they're not overly huge. 87 00:05:02,670 --> 00:05:05,190 But it's a good to give back to the areas. 88 00:05:05,220 --> 00:05:06,480 Megan McKoy-Noe: Oh definitely. 89 00:05:06,510 --> 00:05:08,310 So have you run out? 90 00:05:08,310 --> 00:05:10,530 What do you do when you run out of cash? 91 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:14,720 Erma Ratliff: We have not ran out yet or gone over budget, thankfully. 92 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:20,870 But that would be something a good problem to have because then you know that people are spending those dollars locally. 93 00:05:21,500 --> 00:05:27,500 Megan McKoy-Noe: Well, and I have a feeling because you just started this the summer of 2024. 94 00:05:27,530 --> 00:05:30,860 So how many events have you been to so far? 95 00:05:31,100 --> 00:05:33,740 Erma Ratliff: So far with this, probably only 3 or 4. 96 00:05:33,980 --> 00:05:38,810 We hope to obviously grow next year as we get more involved in the communities we're serving. 97 00:05:39,050 --> 00:05:46,910 Megan McKoy-Noe: Is there any other information that's on your Kanokla bucks about your – I know it has your logo on there and the denominations, 98 00:05:46,910 --> 00:05:47,960 so the amount of money. 99 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:53,900 Does it list where you can spend it, or a website to learn more about the telco? 100 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:56,930 Erma Ratliff: So these ones actually do not. 101 00:05:56,930 --> 00:06:00,950 But the ones that we did have previously had expiration dates on them. 102 00:06:01,610 --> 00:06:03,380 And we also talked about changing the colors up. 103 00:06:03,380 --> 00:06:05,360 So maybe have more yellow instead of blue. 104 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:08,480 So that way people, because some of these communities we serve are super close. 105 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:13,310 So that way they can only use that during that event instead of trying to save it for the next event. 106 00:06:13,340 --> 00:06:20,690 Megan McKoy-Noe: Oh, so they can't just have all of these to use, like save them up over a year and – 107 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:22,850 Erma Ratliff: Yeah. No. Yeah. You can't hoard the Kanokla cash. 108 00:06:22,850 --> 00:06:27,200 We really want you to support those local businesses during the event that they're participating in. 109 00:06:27,230 --> 00:06:27,740 So yeah. 110 00:06:27,770 --> 00:06:28,400 Megan McKoy-Noe: Oh, okay. 111 00:06:28,790 --> 00:06:31,700 Erma Ratliff: Yeah you have to turn them in that night. 112 00:06:31,700 --> 00:06:35,600 Megan McKoy-Noe: Okay. So you have to use it right away, and you let them know that. 113 00:06:35,780 --> 00:06:40,790 Do you have any banners or signs at your booth that explain that to them? 114 00:06:40,790 --> 00:06:41,480 I know you said vendors help. 115 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:46,310 Erma Ratliff: Yes, we have a little information paper that we put along with the Kanokla cash to be like, "Hey, this is what it is. 116 00:06:46,310 --> 00:06:49,580 This is where you can take it to, and this is when they expire." 117 00:06:49,610 --> 00:06:52,040 Megan McKoy-Noe: Okay. Excellent, I like that. 118 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:58,010 So you've been using these, you said at fairs and festivals you've done three events so far. 119 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:00,950 How did folks react when they got them? 120 00:07:01,070 --> 00:07:07,400 Erma Ratliff: Well, at first people were like, "Hey, I want that." And then I explained to them, and then like once people start taking it to 121 00:07:07,430 --> 00:07:12,290 different businesses, they're like, "Oh wait, where'd you get that at?" So then they come to the table to get more information, 122 00:07:12,290 --> 00:07:13,940 and then get the Kanokla cash. 123 00:07:13,940 --> 00:07:16,100 So it's been really well received. 124 00:07:16,580 --> 00:07:18,260 Megan McKoy-Noe: That is wonderful. 125 00:07:18,290 --> 00:07:25,640 Did you, were you able to grab some pictures of people using their Kanokla cash and share it on social? 126 00:07:25,670 --> 00:07:26,960 Erma Ratliff: Yes, ma'am. Yeah. 127 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:32,960 It's been well, and I know the vendors like it because, like they said, sometimes people wouldn't go to their place until, 128 00:07:32,990 --> 00:07:35,690 like, it's free money. So people of course, why would they not use it? 129 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:36,860 Megan McKoy-Noe: Why would they not like free money? 130 00:07:36,860 --> 00:07:38,120 I love free money. 131 00:07:38,540 --> 00:07:41,240 Yes. So that makes so much sense. 132 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:48,380 So we'll have to include a couple examples of the social media posts that you were able to get and what this looks like at 133 00:07:48,380 --> 00:07:53,420 pioneer.coop/podcast, so folks can see it and kind of get excited about this idea. 134 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:56,930 What are your plans for the program in 2025? 135 00:07:56,960 --> 00:08:02,630 Erma Ratliff: Yeah, we hope it grows, and hopefully we are able to reach out to more vendors and businesses next year when we go to these 136 00:08:02,630 --> 00:08:09,050 different events, especially next summer with fairs and festivals, and then really even go into, even the smaller events 137 00:08:09,050 --> 00:08:12,080 like we have Oktoberfest coming up and different Christmas stuff. 138 00:08:12,710 --> 00:08:16,100 It'd be really nice to use at some of our Christmas events coming up. 139 00:08:16,310 --> 00:08:22,810 Megan McKoy-Noe: Well, and the vendors, I assume just bring you whatever cash is redeemed at their business and then you just – 140 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:24,760 Erma Ratliff: Yeah, we just pay them right then and there. 141 00:08:25,060 --> 00:08:26,350 Megan McKoy-Noe: Yeah, I love this. 142 00:08:26,470 --> 00:08:27,700 Erma Ratliff: It's nice for everyone involved. 143 00:08:27,700 --> 00:08:32,110 Again we're supporting – we're a small business, so we're supporting other small businesses in the local community. 144 00:08:32,110 --> 00:08:38,140 So people see that like okay, they're supporting our local business, so why should we not support them? 145 00:08:38,290 --> 00:08:46,030 Megan McKoy-Noe: And while everybody loves free cash and this is an amazing idea, I also know how important it is to track the 146 00:08:46,030 --> 00:08:48,850 folks that you have engagement with like this. 147 00:08:48,850 --> 00:08:56,770 So in order to get the Kanokla cash, do they have to give you their email address or sign up any? 148 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:01,720 I know they're coming by your booth, but do they have to give you any of their information while they're there? 149 00:09:01,870 --> 00:09:05,440 Erma Ratliff: So far we have not made people commit to giving us any information. 150 00:09:06,310 --> 00:09:08,620 Really, we really just want to tell them, like, "Hey, we're here. 151 00:09:08,890 --> 00:09:13,870 We're supporting you guys." But that is something maybe we could look at into the future. 152 00:09:14,260 --> 00:09:19,020 Megan McKoy-Noe: Just curious, because if you have, you know me, Erma. 153 00:09:19,050 --> 00:09:22,020 I get excited, and I start spitballing and brainstorming. 154 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:26,220 Because you could. If they're excited about this, you could have a list. 155 00:09:26,250 --> 00:09:28,710 Find out what else you're doing in the community. 156 00:09:28,710 --> 00:09:35,970 Where else they can get Kanokla bucks or Kanokla cash in the future, and maybe tell them about other promotions that you have, 157 00:09:35,970 --> 00:09:40,140 too. But I get that y'all aren't doing that yet, because you really do. 158 00:09:40,170 --> 00:09:43,260 I love this as a story about strengthening your community. 159 00:09:43,260 --> 00:09:51,000 It's like giving out grants, but folks are deciding which vendors they want to support, and you're still putting that money 160 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:54,180 into the community and helping the small businesses that need it. 161 00:09:54,450 --> 00:09:56,340 So, I'm excited. 162 00:09:56,580 --> 00:09:58,800 One last question before I let you go. 163 00:09:58,830 --> 00:10:05,400 If a utility wants to create a program like Kanokla cash, how should they start? 164 00:10:05,820 --> 00:10:13,050 Erma Ratliff: I think the big thing is to have a budget, because a budget's really huge, especially like, oh, hey, I got this. 165 00:10:13,470 --> 00:10:17,250 And then really know your audience, like, what kind of, where are you going? 166 00:10:17,280 --> 00:10:21,700 Are you going to a fair with more animals, can you do something with that? 167 00:10:21,730 --> 00:10:25,750 Like, "Hey, this local, this kid has homemade bread. 168 00:10:25,750 --> 00:10:27,550 How do you support that little kid who has homemade bread? 169 00:10:27,550 --> 00:10:33,520 Can you give him some of your cash?" And just different things like that, just knowing your audience, and how to support other 170 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:34,510 businesses? 171 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:42,550 Megan McKoy-Noe: Well, I am excited to see Kanokla cash in action across your community, and I'm 172 00:10:42,550 --> 00:10:46,690 hoping a lot of other folks will just hear your idea and go, "Oh, we could totally do that. 173 00:10:46,690 --> 00:10:51,040 That's brilliant." So thank you so much for sharing your story with utility pioneers. 174 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:56,860 She is Erma Ratliff from Kanokla, and I'm your host Megan McKoy-Noe at Pioneer Utility Resources. 175 00:10:56,860 --> 00:11:00,010 And until we talk again, keep telling your story. 176 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:08,560 Outro: StoryConnect is produced by Pioneer Utility Resources, a communications cooperative that is built to share your story.