Monthly Archives: May 2010

For some reason, we're getting no traffic on this site from people in Vermont. Do they have internet there?

The point of this website is to “speak to” those who have a connection with Aberdeen, SD. Whether you’re from here and moved away or if some of your family members have moved here for a job of some sorts. Maybe you came for college and left right away? What ever the reason you may have ties here. And that’s reason enough to consider returning here to build your life, or retire. The most popular state frequenting this website is obviously South Dakota; that always happens in web development. Those closest to you check you out more often. The top five states checking this website are, in order,

South Dakota, California, North Dakota, New York, Minnesota

I unfortunately have no way finding out if anyone moves here, although I hope people familiar with this site let me know. And many of my postcards are going to Illinois.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Aberdeen is a buzz with the kickoff of summer. – Troy McQuillen

When this brand identity hit the streets a few years back, some critics complained that “good” wasn’t good enough. Why not “great?” they asked. Good question. If you ask me, life is great here, but if a community boasts as being the absolute best and greatest, then by gosh it better be. And life is not great for everyone here, but generally speaking, life is good for most everyone. Instead of some silly slogan slapped on top of our town that is only relevant to a few, this slogan has resonated with the public to the point they speak it all the time, wear buttons with this symbol on it, and put it on banners. People like it. I did a survey a while back asking for opinions about Aberdeen’s brand. I presented about 8 options and the prevailing one was Life is Good; by an enormous margin. Maybe it was just ingrained in our popular culture, or maybe people just believe it to be true. Brands are what brands are. You cannot say a brand is something that it’s not…unless you have a huge marketing budget.

“Life is Good” emerged from our Chamber of Commerce several years back. The brand has been the successful center of advertising for many city organizations as well as individual companies. And we could do more with it.

My concern with my community is complacency. If Life is Good, how can we work to make it better? I say we pick a brand we want to be, then work hard to get there. But that would take tremendous leadership. But, alas, I’m content, but not complacent. I’m always inspired to push forward, say great things about my town, and hopefully inspire you or others to take a look at our great town as a place you’d like to return to. I’m good with that. – Troy McQuillen