Tag: marketing

community | economic development | entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local | social media | tools
Let’s Talk Newspapers: Working Together Locally
ByDeb Brown April 17, 2026April 29, 2026
Hometown newspapers are small businesses, just like the hardware store, the cafe, or the auto repair shop. They’re not just “media.” They’re employers, sponsors, storytellers, and neighbors, and their work ripples through every corner of the community. This year, collaboration is a focus of ours at SaveYour.Town, and I want to talk about how newspapers…
Read More Let’s Talk Newspapers: Working Together Locally
entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local
The Treasure Hunt Economy: exciting retail experience for small towns
BySmall Biz Survival April 10, 2026April 4, 2026
Guest Post by Jason Duff, Small Nation I’ve been noticing something interesting happening across the small towns we work in, and I don’t think it’s temporary. In a time where inflation is still pinching wallets, customers aren’t just spending less, they’re shopping differently. They’re hunting. Not just for cheap, but for value, uniqueness, and the…
Read More The Treasure Hunt Economy: exciting retail experience for small towns
big company | entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | shop local | trends
Small town marketing secret: Have something to invite people to
ByBecky McCray February 24, 2026February 24, 2026
People need a compelling reason to leave their homes and come experience your business with you. This feels like a very heavy lift. . You’re supposed to be exciting enough to pull people away from their phones, their families and the comfort of online shopping. You’re competing with everything else demanding their attention. Here’s the…
Read More Small town marketing secret: Have something to invite people to
customer service | entrepreneurship | marketing | rural
Use your loyalty card as your business card
ByBecky McCray December 15, 2025
At the LaunchRuralOK Small Business Resource event in Alva, I overheard the owner of Millie Coffee from Fairview, Oklahoma, talking to a service provider she wanted to work with. She apologized for not having business cards with her, then handed over her shop’s loyalty card instead. I looked over my shoulder and said out loud,…
Read More Use your loyalty card as your business card
community | customer service | entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | trends
Create customer experiences online like Open the Shop With Me videos, and in person, like Silent Book Club
ByBecky McCray March 23, 2025August 6, 2025
When Kathleen Minogue of Crowdfund Better mentioned Common Ground Coffee and Market to me, I found their Instagram feed was full of stealable ideas for small business social media marketing. We first talked about how they let customers know about changes to their hours. They’re in Boise, Idaho, which I realize is not a small…
Read More Create customer experiences online like Open the Shop With Me videos, and in person, like Silent Book Club
customer service | entrepreneurship | marketing | rural | Small Biz 100 | social media
How to let customers know when changing your business hours
ByBecky McCray March 12, 2025August 6, 2025
Post extensively on social channels, and pin your hours post to the top of your page Your small business has times when you need to change your hours either for holidays, staff issues or (my favorite) extending into evening hours. How do you retrain your customers so they notice the change? Let’s look at a…
Read More How to let customers know when changing your business hours
entrepreneurship | marketing | rural
Rural marketing tip: the name is the claim
BySmall Biz Survival May 22, 2024
Guest post and photo by Debbie Saviano NO GUESSWORK Here! You know exactly what you’re getting! Great burgers and a relaxed boozy atmosphere. Small town businesses have a way of getting to the point. The name is the claim. About the author Debbie Saviano helps people learn how to use LinkedIn, online courses and social…
Read More Rural marketing tip: the name is the claim
economic development | marketing | rural
What small town businesses can do during events to capitalize on the extra people
BySmall Biz Survival June 9, 2023March 12, 2025
Guest post by Jeremy Zeller Do your homework – WHO WILL BE ATTENDING the event? Cater to that audience. Families, College students, Car enthusiasts, Cosplay…yes, even them. If you do not want to keep your store open, set up a SIDEWALK STAND or TABLE and sell there. An assortment of products and swag to just…
Read More What small town businesses can do during events to capitalize on the extra people

Small Biz Survival

The Treasure Hunt Economy: exciting retail experience for small towns

Small town marketing secret: Have something to invite people to

Use your loyalty card as your business card

Create customer experiences online like Open the Shop With Me videos, and in person, like Silent Book Club

Rural marketing tip: the name is the claim

What small town businesses can do during events to capitalize on the extra people

Howdy!

The Best of Small Biz Survival

TREND 2025: Retail’s Big Split: what small town retailers can do now

99% of the best things you can do for your town don’t require anyone’s permission

Get started as an outdoor outfitter without breaking the bank

How to get customers in the door of small town and rural retail stores

Partners