tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82025992036255596772011-04-21T18:00:49.161-07:00Samantha Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17572801560975643904noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202599203625559677.post-57507414702379358802009-03-18T13:09:00.000-07:002009-03-18T13:57:15.097-07:00Since returning to my small town existence from the "big city" over three years ago, I have been disappointed with the large number of local businesses that are content with remaining mom and pop shops in this increasingly global community. I have found that there are certain common reasons for the desire to stay "small":<br /><br /><br />Afraid of Change<br /><br />They feel like they will be changing the integrity of their existing business model without a guarentee of success. That is true. But, was there ever any guarentee that the initial business would be successful? No. There is always some sense of risk involved when embarking on a new business idea or altering the current path that the business is on. Change needs to be embraced in order to operate effectively in the changing economy.<br /><br />Afraid of the Unknown<br /><br />Many business owners currently market their products and services with the "old-school" mentality that traditional media (newspapers, radio spots, word of mouth) is the only way to go, simply because they are not familiar with the new and exciting ways to promote. Can you see Grandpa Joe blogging about his latest wheat yields or Esther from the Ladies Auxiliary sending out the monthly e-newsletter to inform the members of the latest bake sale revenues? No? Well, these will be common place more and more as time goes on. However, business owners need to familiarize themselves with the new practices. They don't necessarily have to know how to perform them but they do need to enlist someone that does. Grandpa Joe could easily log on and type a few words with a little guidence from a step-by-step how-to list provided by his marketing guru and Esther could quite easily email over a word doc to her marketing consultant for compilation in the monthly newsletter. While they may not understand HOW these latest marketing techniques work, they can benefit from someone else's knowledge on the subject.<br /><br /><br />Afraid of the Costs<br /><br />The words "online marketing" may strike fear in the hearts of small town businesses simply because their minimal knowledge on the subject has been focussed on the dollar amounts they have heard. Companies buying single websites for multi-millions. High school dropouts making Forbes lists because of an idea they had while strung out on Red Bull. Joe Nobody selling his stake in the online gaming industry for more money than we could hope for in a lifetime. But not everything in the online industry is expensive. You can find a very effective marketing company to handle your online segment for a very reasonable fee, whether it be hourly, monthly, or on a per project basis. They may be willing to work on a detailed payment schedule that suits your business' marketing budget. Research various companies before you make your decision. View their portfolios and compare with their costs. Weighing the benefits with the costs will allow you to make a well-informed decision that you will be happy with in the long run.<br /><br /><br />There is no reason for small town businesses to be afraid of online marketing. In today's economy, you can use any advantage you can get in order to ensure success and if that means embarking on a new, unfamiliar frontier then go for it! Your business (and wallet) will thank you.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8202599203625559677-5750741470237935880?l=smartmarketingandmedia.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Samantha Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17572801560975643904noreply@blogger.com0