Hey, got a sec? Let me take you on the Guided Tour! We can talk about this other stuff when you get back.

Disclosures

Read our disclosure of business relationships, general principles, and press and PR preferences.

About Small Biz Survival

This is the rural small business blog. We talk about small town business, with how-to articles, especially on social media marketing and making your community a better place. We’ve been at it since January 14, 2006. A few others have come and gone in that time, but we’re still here!

Becky McCray, founder and publisher

Becky McCray, photo by Meg Hatch.

I started Small Biz Survival because I am a small town entrepreneur. I believe small town entrepreneurs have a lot to teach other businesses. And when local entrepreneurs prosper, they help their small town prosper, too.

I write about small business and rural issues, based on my own successes and failures as a lifelong entrepreneur. Deb Brown and I are working together to provide practical steps you can put into action right away to improve your community at SaveYour.Town.

My bestselling book The Idea Friendly Guide helps you put your ideas into action no matter the opposition in your small town. Taking business lessons from small towns, Barry Moltz and I wrote the award-winning book Small Town Rules for businesses of all sizes.

If you need a rural or small town speaker, I’d love to hear from you. My talks deliver practical steps you can take to shape the future of your community.

If you want to email me directly, stop by the contact form.

Awards and Credentials:

Top 5: Best Small Business Blogs and Websites, Feedly, 2026
Top 10: Top Small Business Blogs in the US, FeedSpot, 2026
Selected as a Newstex Authoritative Content publisher – syndicated in LexisNexis, Thomson Business Intelligence, ProQuest and Postmedia Network
Previously syndicated in the Visa Business Network, alltop Small Business, alltop Rural, My Space Small Business News and My Venture Pad
Small Business Influencer Journalist, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2013 Power Players in Technology Business Media
InformationWeek Sociative Influencer SMB, 2012
Klout – Top Influencers on Small Business 2012, 2013
Klear – Top 2% of all social media users
SEMMY Award nominated, 2008 and 2009
Distinguished Partner, Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA, 2008
Kauffman Platinum Award, EntrepreneurshipWeek USA, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; March 2007
Ranked one of the 25 top small business blogs in the world by Technorati
del.icio.us, Hotlist and Popular, 2008
del.icio.us Popular, 2006

Blog rankings and top lists:

We’ve gotten so many appearances in “Top” lists that I’ve stopped tracking them all! I’m still proud of the work our contributors do. Here are some highlights:

The 10 best small business blogs to read in 2026, JotForm
The Ultimate List of Best Small Business Blogs to Read Now, Code Supply Co., 2025
The Best Blogs for Small Business Owners, Sparklight Business
The Definitive Resource Guide for Small Businesses, First Atlantic
Our Favorite Small Business Blogs, DOUGLAS Magazine, Aug/Sept 2023
12 of the Best Business Books & Blogs You Should Read in 2023, UK
21 of the Best Small Business Blogs to Inspire Your Own! 2021, CandyBar
10 blogs for small business owners to follow – Clover
Small Business Blogs We Love, Blog.PRNewswire.com, 2017
The Best Local Marketing Blogs to Read in 2013 – Bplans
Top Daily Must-Reads for Every Small Business Owner – NFIB
50 Small Business Blogs to Watch – Infusionsoft
24 Must-Read Blogs for Entrepreneurs – Business Insider
Top 25 Upcoming Small Business Blogs to follow for 2012
20 Blogs Every Entrepreneur Should Read 2011 – Business Insider
20 Blogs Every Entrepreneur Should Read 2010 – Business Insider
9 Essential Blog for Small Business Owners
Top 20 Small Business Bloggers Dominating the Market
The 37 Best Resources for Small Business News
10 Best Blogs for Entrepreneurs
Top 20 Small Business Blogs
20 Best Small Business Blogs
Top 100 Blogs for Small-Business Cost Cutting Inspiration
Top 50 Blogs for Startups For 2010
Top 100 Business Blogs
Top 12 Small Business Marketing Blogs
25 Great Entrepreneur Blogs We Love
Top 100 Blogs For Working At Home
9 Blogs Entrepreneurs Must Read

Special Contributors

Over the years, we’ve been honored with the work of many additional contributors.

Chris Brogan is one of my first blog friends who became a social media superstar, New York Times bestselling author, and well-respected thinker on business, story and innovative technology. Read Chris’s articles.

Deb Brown, my colleague at SaveYour.Town, contributes here also. She shares her knowledge of small town business, retail and her real world experiences. Read Deb’s articles.

Glenn Muske, a true expert on small- and micro-businesses with decades of experience in the Extension service, wrote articles on a wide variety of topics for us. Read Glenn’s articles.

Glenna Mae Hendricks, aka “Maesz”, aka my mom, shared many tax tips and accounting explanations. Read Maesz’s articles.

Jeanne Cole is my friend from long before I started Small Biz Survival, and she was one of our earliest contributors. Read Jeanne’s articles.

Jon Swanson contributed his perspective on business as a customer and storyteller. Jon’s regular internet home is 300 Words a Day. Read Jon’s articles.

H. E. James shared her practical tips on rural small business in several articles for us. Read H.E.’s articles.

Zane Safrit shared his real-world small town business expertise in a series of strong articles. Read Zane’s articles.

We’ve also featured guest posts by super people like Barry Moltz, Sheila Scarborough, Marci Penner of Kansas Sampler Foundation, John Warrillow, Shashi Bellamkonda, Shannon Ehlers and Scott Meyer. Read our guest posts.