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This article is part of the America's Favorite Mom & Pop Shops series. Read more stories
Key Takeaways Visibility and personal connections are key in small-town business growth, with a strong lean on attending local events and engaging the community.
An accessible online presence is critical even in small communities given that a significant portion of local information is sourced through online searches.
Word-of-mouth marketing remains supreme in tight-knit communities; focusing on this can create more impact than traditional advertising.
Starting a new business in a small town can feel both easy and hard. Easy because you don’t have to fight through the same crowd as in big cities. Hard because everyone already knows everyone, and outsiders don’t always get attention right away. Still, most small towns run on relationships, habits and word of mouth — which means if you learn how to use those right, your business can grow faster than you think.
Let’s talk about how to do that, without using vague advice like “just market better” or “be active online.” Here are some real ways to grow your small-town business.
1. Get known by showing up everywhere (even when you don’t want to)
In small towns, marketing will not run only on ads. It’s about being seen often enough that people remember your face when they need something.
If you think your business can grow quietly, it won’t. People in small towns notice who’s around and who’s missing. Showing up at local events, farmers’ markets and even school fundraisers helps people connect your name to your business. You don’t have to talk about your product every time — just show up, talk, listen and be friendly in a normal way.
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