Marketing covers a wide range of activities and tools. If you ask a small-business owner about his or her marketing, you probably will get a list of traditional media campaigns and maybe his or her social media efforts. You also may hear about the person’s efforts to target customers and ensure that those customers become…
The fact that small businesses are at the core of our economic system probably does not come as a surprise. Estimates on the number of small businesses suggest that they make up 90 percent or more of the total number of businesses in the U.S. In small communities, the number and importance of small businesses…
When was the last time you had barbecue? Can you remember the smoky smell of roasting meat wafting out of the smoker? It’s delightful, let me tell you. Which is why it’s so smart of Shady Oak Barbecue and Grill in Fort Worth, Texas, to channel all the customers so they have to walk right…
You can have the greatest product or service, but if no one knows you’re there, your business will fail. That’s a harsh statement to make, but it is true. The business world is littered with great ideas that did not succeed because the businesses had no buyers. A common reason for the lack of buying…
Guest post by Lyn Falk Retailworks, Inc. Your storefront says a lot about you and your business, actually. It’s your customer’s first impression of your brand. When competing with the big box retailers that are inevitably on the outskirts of your town, you need to turn on the charm––something the national chains can’t compete with! Think of someone…
In many communities, the small-business owner is the cornerstone of support for various charitable functions and events. Small-business owners don’t just provide dollars, products and services; they often take on leadership and volunteer roles that allow the community to maintain itself and grow. The support of small-business owners to their community should be applauded. Their…
The idea that providing good customer service is important to your business should come as no surprise. But can that be translated into dollars and cents? The value of customer service is hard to quantify because it is part of a store’s brand and reputation. There are, though, some indications of what it can mean…
When promoting your small town tourism, one essential element is getting your local businesses online where your visitors can find them. But most of your small town businesses either have no website, or a website they don’t maintain, or a website that isn’t mobile-friendly. Rather than fight with all the local businesses about getting and…
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