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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • 2023 trends for rural and small town businesses
    economic development | entrepreneurship | rural | social media | tourism | trends

    2023 trends for rural and small town businesses

    ByBecky McCray December 26, 2022July 10, 2023

    Finding rural trends buried in big reports Business Insider rounded up the trends reports from LinkedIn, Pinterest and other social-driven sites. They didn’t dig out the best trends for rural businesses and small town entrepreneurs, so I did that for you. Retail is recycling Pinterest points to vintage and mixed decor trends. That’s a good…

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  • Screenshot of Google's Marketing Kit for local businesses. Text says, "Free stickers, posters, social posts, and more from your Business Profile on Google". Graphic shows a sticker that says, "review us on Google"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | tourism

    Local reviews on Google Maps drive enduring value

    ByBecky McCray December 17, 2022December 26, 2022

    While they were pointing out HipCamp to us, our friends at Marketing Delmarva also brought up the enduring power of Google Local reviews and photos. (I added the bold for emphasis.) If you love a local place, put it on Google. Following our first pick-your-own experience at said blueberry world, while sitting in the car in…

    Read More Local reviews on Google Maps drive enduring valueContinue

  • Extra agritourism revenue from camping, cabins and RVs with HipCamp
    economic development | entrepreneurship | rural | tourism

    Extra agritourism revenue from camping, cabins and RVs with HipCamp

    ByBecky McCray December 12, 2022March 12, 2025

    After we discussed Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome, our friends at Marketing Delmarva pointed out HipCamp. One of our local blueberry farms does this with an app called HipCamp. Folks literally camp in the middle of a historic fruit farming operation. Well, not quite the same; they don’t trade blueberries for campsites, but you DO…

    Read More Extra agritourism revenue from camping, cabins and RVs with HipCampContinue

  • A van-sized RV parked in a green field under trees at a winery
    economic development | entrepreneurship | rural | tourism

    Harvest Hosts attract vanlifers and RV tourists, Boondockers Welcome

    ByBecky McCray December 2, 2022

    RV travelers, vanlifers and other self-contained nomads can stay at interesting destinations with Harvest Hosts. Stays feature wineries, farms, breweries, museums, and more.  There’s a membership fee for campers to join, but no camping fee when they stay. Guests are encouraged to buy at least one thing from their hosts during their stay. One guest…

    Read More Harvest Hosts attract vanlifers and RV tourists, Boondockers WelcomeContinue

  • There's still time to Shop Indie Local, the Santa Cat says
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local

    Holiday 2022 marketing: Tell your founding story

    ByBecky McCray December 1, 2022November 16, 2022

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shop Indie Local. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. Learn more from AMIBA, the Shop Indie Local lead sponsor. Let’s do a throwback. Tell your founding story.  How did your business come into being? How were you founded? Who was…

    Read More Holiday 2022 marketing: Tell your founding storyContinue

  • Tis the season to Shop Indie Local
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local

    Holiday 2022 Marketing: Tell your customers’ stories

    ByBecky McCray November 30, 2022November 25, 2022

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shop Indie Local. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. Learn more from AMIBA, the Shop Indie Local lead sponsor. Your customers matter a lot to you. And they have great stories. Now, the story doesn’t even have to be related…

    Read More Holiday 2022 Marketing: Tell your customers’ storiesContinue

  • There's still time to Shop Indie Local, the Santa Cat says
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local

    Holiday 2022 Marketing: Introduce your people

    ByBecky McCray November 29, 2022November 25, 2022

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shop Indie Local. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. Learn more from AMIBA, the Shop Indie Local lead sponsor. This week, introduce one of your people, the people who work for you or work with your customers. If you’re the…

    Read More Holiday 2022 Marketing: Introduce your peopleContinue

  • It's the Most Wonderful Time to Shop Indie Local
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local

    Holiday 2022 Marketing: Share your holiday traditions

    ByBecky McCray November 28, 2022November 16, 2022

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shop Indie Local. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. Learn more from AMIBA, the Shop Indie Local lead sponsor. Plan this one ahead: Share your holiday traditions Customers are busy beyond belief during the holidays. Rather than talk about your…

    Read More Holiday 2022 Marketing: Share your holiday traditionsContinue

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