You have local traditions and things you take for granted; things that your visitors would love to be part of.
Here’s an example from outside Nassau, Bahamas, that could have been from your small town. In the evening, locals come out to the beach along Arawack Cay. They stroll, they feed the gulls, they sit in their cars and watch the ocean, and the old men play dominoes. I didn’t find this in any guide book. No one told me about it. We just happened to stroll into it, and felt the local small town feeling. It gave me a tiny insight into the real people who live there.
There’s an equivalent in your town. Something great that no one thinks about. Where do your locals get together? Think about walks in the park, kids sports where people still sit on blankets on the grass, concerts downtown, and the place where the old men play dominoes.
Here’s why it matters: if you can let your visitors be part of that local feeling, they will be better connected to your place. They will leave happier, and they are more likely to want to return.
Discussion question: what is your local version, and how can you help visitors feel a part of it?
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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.
The MyMaps feature of Google Maps is a great way to show where they are and share info about what’s involved – even add a photo. Then the Map can be linked to from local businesses and info services….easy.
Ken, you’re right. Maps are another way to present your location at its best.
Great post! I don’t have an answer to the questions that you posed, but I am at least thinking about the opportunities now.
Thanks, Nick.