I think blogging is one of the best ways to promote your small business. You don’t need any one’s permission to start, it’s not terribly difficult, and it lets you share your knowledge with your customers. In fact, you and your customers can learn together through your blogging. I frequently advise small business people who…
This is the first of several reports from the Making Place Matter in Northwest Oklahoma Rural Community Economic Development Summit held in Alva on June 3, 2010. Deidre Myers from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce presented statistics and analysis about Northwest Oklahoma’s population changes. Most Northwest Oklahoma counties have lost 50% or more of their population…
The Making Place Matter in Northwest Oklahoma Rural Community Economic Development Summit was held in Alva on June 3, 2010. Marci Penner leads a breakout session on rural tourism An estimated 85 people attended the event in person. Over 100 more people participated online. Three event participants live tweeted during event with the hashtag #ruralok. Those participants were @beckymccray, @okiej (Jeanne Cole),…
Let’s start with your existing tours. Seems like every destination has a paper brochure for a walking tour or something similar. Here are eight ways to post that same content, reach new potential visitors, and make your site easier to find in searches. See, different types of people visit different places online. So every different…
What is the difference between an entrepreneur and a small business owner? Is a franchisee an entrepreneur? And is every new business a “start up”? Entrepreneurship is a “No wuss zone!” Seems we wonder about labels, or others labeling us. It’s hard to decide what word or description fits you best, when you are out…
Two rural development resources worth exploring, both with business and entrepreneurship sections: Rural Community Building blogAmerican Farm Bureau Federation put together this blog “to enhance the quality of life in rural communities so that future generations will want to stay on the farm.” Sabrina Matteson, AFBF director of rural affairs is the lead author. Entrepreneurship…
Every once in a while, someone will tell me, “I could never brag.” Well, it’s time to make an exception. I give you permission. Even though I call this the Brag Basket, it’s not really about bragging. It’s about sharing. I started this so you can introduce yourself, share some good news, or congratulate a…
How do you get your name out there and associated with a particular phrase? That was Jill’s question: I was just wondering what I need to do to get my name out there. I’m a seamstress specializing in country/western style wedding attire. I google “Oklahoma seamstress” and no one pops up. How do I get…
Since 2006, this site has been helping people like you in small towns move forward without waiting on outside experts, big budgets, or perfect plans. You don’t need any of that to get started.
If you care about your business, your downtown, or your community, you’ll find ideas here you can actually use. Take one. Try it out. Let me know how it goes for you.
Want to search our past articles? Catch up with the latest stories? Browse through the categories? All the good stuff is on the Front Page.
We partner with campaigns and organizations that we think best benefit rural small businesses.
Copyright © 2006–2026 Becky McCray • Site by Webdancers