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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • People appreciate the opportunity to pay more
    customer service | entrepreneurship | marketing | Small Biz 100

    People appreciate the opportunity to pay more

    ByBecky McCray January 18, 2016January 17, 2016

    People appreciate the opportunity to pay more for the stuff that matters to them. Maine photographer Meg Hatch offered a photography mini-session for families before the holidays. She sold a lot of them. She over-delivered, taking more shots than promised and going over and above the call to get great photos for families. One customer…

    Read More People appreciate the opportunity to pay moreContinue

  • community | entrepreneurship | marketing | rural

    How to get small town businesses to cooperate

    ByBecky McCray January 4, 2016February 18, 2024

      Businesses in small towns don’t work together very well. That was one of the top findings in our Survey of Rural Challenges. Survey answers included a lot of examples of this inability to cooperate: “Many of our merchants won’t participate in group promos.” “Businesses don’t cooperate with each other!” “The ‘competiveness’ of small town…

    Read More How to get small town businesses to cooperateContinue

  • Shopping bag labeled "Shift your shopping"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | ShiftYourShopping emails | shop local

    Holiday marketing 12: Thank your customers

    ByBecky McCray December 28, 2015December 27, 2015

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shift Your Shopping. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. I know that Christmas is officially over, but you know some families are still celebrating because they couldn’t get together on the big holiday. And New Year’s Eve…

    Read More Holiday marketing 12: Thank your customersContinue

  • Shopping bag labeled "Shift your shopping"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | ShiftYourShopping emails | shop local

    Holiday marketing 11: Share your family traditions

    ByBecky McCray December 21, 2015December 27, 2015

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shift Your Shopping. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. Christmas is this week. Customers are busy beyond belief. Rather than talk about your business, put the focus on you as a person. Tell about one of your…

    Read More Holiday marketing 11: Share your family traditionsContinue

  • Shopping bag labeled "Shift your shopping"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | ShiftYourShopping emails | shop local

    Holiday Marketing 10: Introduce your people

    ByBecky McCray December 14, 2015December 13, 2015

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shift Your Shopping. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. This week, introduce one of your people, the people who work for you or work with your customers. If you’re the only one in your business, introduce yourself!…

    Read More Holiday Marketing 10: Introduce your peopleContinue

  • Shopping bag labeled "Shift your shopping"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | ShiftYourShopping emails | shop local

    Holiday Marketing 9: Tell your customers’ stories

    ByBecky McCray December 7, 2015December 6, 2015

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shift Your Shopping. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. Your customers matter a lot to you. And they have great stories. Now, the story doesn’t even have to be related to what you do. It can be…

    Read More Holiday Marketing 9: Tell your customers’ storiesContinue

  • entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | Small Biz 100

    Setting the Right Price

    ByGlenn Muske December 3, 2015January 9, 2017

    Pricing is a task that puzzles and frustrates many small-business owners. Some think good pricing is magic, while others dig deep into their financial records to come up with a very specific price point for each product and service. Business owners are frustrated by wanting to be perceived as offering a competitive price to maximize…

    Read More Setting the Right PriceContinue

  • Shopping bag labeled "Shift your shopping"
    entrepreneurship | marketing | ShiftYourShopping emails | shop local

    Holiday Marketing 8: Tell your founding story

    ByBecky McCray November 30, 2015November 29, 2015

    We’re all using the same marketing theme this year: Shift Your Shopping. When we work together to spread the word, we’ll multiply how many customers we reach. This week, let’s do a throwback. Tell your founding story.  How did your business come into being? How were you founded? Who was involved in your early history?…

    Read More Holiday Marketing 8: Tell your founding storyContinue

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