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Small Biz Survival

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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • Digital literacy means you can choose rural
    entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | social media

    Digital literacy means you can choose rural

    BySmall Biz Survival December 17, 2013January 2, 2018

    When I read the introduction to 9 Clouds’ new book, I immediately asked Scott Meyer for permission to reprint it here. Scott obliged, did a bit of customization, and threw in the infographic (because everything needs an infographic). Yes, I am mentioned in the book, but trust me, this is an excellent guide for small…

    Read More Digital literacy means you can choose ruralContinue

  • A small store has a line of customers around the shop and out the door.
    customer service | entrepreneurship

    Want to keep your customers through the holidays? Know their names and ask these 6 questions

    BySmall Biz Survival December 10, 2013January 2, 2018

    This article was contributed by Ball State University.  When the aisles are packed and checkout lines are long, customers will shop at trusted retailers that place a premium on knowing their needs, says Ramon Avila, a marketing professor and the founding director of the H.H. Gregg Center for Professional Selling at Ball State University. He…

    Read More Want to keep your customers through the holidays? Know their names and ask these 6 questionsContinue

  • What does your store front say about your business?
    entrepreneurship | marketing

    What does your store front say about your business?

    BySmall Biz Survival September 26, 2013January 2, 2018

    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…

    Read More What does your store front say about your business?Continue

  • What Every Business Can Learn From Small Town Customer Service
    customer service

    What Every Business Can Learn From Small Town Customer Service

    BySmall Biz Survival September 24, 2013January 2, 2018

    Barry Moltz is my co-author on the book Small Town Rules. He was a great friend to work with and helped me immensely in understanding the book publishing process. Barry knows a lot about small towns. Even though he lives in Chicago, he’s got a strong small town connection. –Becky  By Barry Moltz I grew…

    Read More What Every Business Can Learn From Small Town Customer ServiceContinue

  • Business incubator ideas for small towns
    economic development | rural

    Business incubator ideas for small towns

    BySmall Biz Survival September 9, 2013August 8, 2019

    In our weekly newsletter, we have talked quite a bit about what to do with empty buildings in your small town. Ron Hirst replied and offered such good information about incubators that I needed to share them with you, too. –Becky Guest Post by Ron Hirst, Director Quest Center for Entrepreneurs, Inc. Hutchinson, Kansas Becky, I…

    Read More Business incubator ideas for small townsContinue

  • One downtown building gives life to many new retail stores
    economic development | ideas | rural

    One downtown building gives life to many new retail stores

    ByBecky McCray August 7, 2013July 12, 2024

    Guest post by Cathy Lloyd, The Village In the summer of 2007, I had an idea to help the state of retail on the square in downtown Washington, Iowa.  Since Wal-Mart came to town in the ‘70s, there had been a steady decline in the number of retail businesses in the downtown area. I hoped…

    Read More One downtown building gives life to many new retail storesContinue

  • Best of | entrepreneurship | tools

    Boo-yah! No More Fear of Technology

    BySmall Biz Survival September 19, 2012January 2, 2018

    Sheila Scarborough has been my friend for over 4 years, which is a long time online. She’s one of the most confident and capable people anywhere. She’s made an impressive transition from an officer in the Navy to freelance writer to entrepreneur and business owner. I’ve learned a lot from her about the world of…

    Read More Boo-yah! No More Fear of TechnologyContinue

  • entrepreneurship | marketing

    The Second Question You Should be Asking about Your Website

    BySmall Biz Survival May 23, 2011January 31, 2023

    How’s your website doing? Did you answer that thorny question that Becky and I talked about at the end of last year? (No, seriously, that question is really important – it is the first question you should always answer before building or changing your website. Go on, re-read it if you have to, we’ll wait patiently here.) Today…

    Read More The Second Question You Should be Asking about Your WebsiteContinue

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