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Stay connected from your small town

By Becky McCray

When you are in a small town, how do you build relationships and beat that feeling of isolation? I asked that question at SXSW, and here are some suggestions from other attendees.

Blog the local

If you blog or podcast, talk about local events. It’s a way to hopefully connect with other local folks interested in technology or your niche.

Have lunch together, online

Several people mentioned having lunch with a distant friend via Skype. Grab a brown bag, and enjoy some time together.

Hold meetings with video

Use any one of the online meeting tools, like Operator 11, BlogTV or ooVoo to get people together. I’m thinking of trying to start this one within Oklahoma. Let’s see, I know a techie guy in Elk City with a web cam, so there’s one …

Make your town the center of the universe

Why not make your town the location for a major gathering in your field? Plenty of exciting events happen in out of the way places. All it takes is work.

It goes without saying

Or at least it does at SXSW, that Twitter, Facebook, blogging, etc., are all terrific tools for keeping in touch.

What do you recommend? How do you beat isolation from your small town or rural area?

[Photo: Creative Economies roundtable – the closest thing to a rural discussion as can be found at SXSW.]

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About Becky McCray

Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
  • Zoom Towns: attracting and supporting remote workers in rural small towns - December 10, 2020
  • In an economic crisis, spend your brainpower before your dollars - November 25, 2020
  • Video: How to fill empty car dealership buildings for the holidays - November 6, 2020
  • How has 2020 changed the challenges rural small towns face? Tell us here - October 20, 2020
  • The Idea Friendly Method to surviving a business crisis - October 6, 2020
  • Join me for the Rural Renewal Symposium online Oct 13 - September 26, 2020
  • Cheap placemaking idea: instant murals - September 11, 2020
  • Refilling the rural business pipeline - July 7, 2020
  • Huge vacant buildings: grants to renovate? - June 9, 2020
  • Economic self defense for small towns  - June 7, 2020

March 16, 2008 Filed Under: entrepreneurship, rural

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Comments

  1. Kenneth says

    March 24, 2008 at 10:58 am

    Hey Becky,

    I’m that guy in the front left that went – YAAY, I hear ya! – from that other small town. Actually, mine is THAT small, when it rains, they put it inside!

    Still not out on the “staying connected” thing, and really thinking about getting a second place in a more connected town. If I get the money together, that is. But there you have it, that’s my new target! :-) Stay in touch!

  2. Becky McCray says

    March 24, 2008 at 10:42 pm

    Howdy, Kenneth! I’m so glad you came by!

    I’m actually a little envious of you because Belgium is fairly compact, compared to spread-out Oklahoma. I hope you can either get that second place, or find other ways to feel connected.

    I think my own strategies are to attend more industry events, and try to host some events locally.

    Stop by anytime!

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