Business Advice, Tips

Entrepreneurship in 4 Simple Steps

Whether you’ve always dreamed of being a business owner or you just came up with your first business idea while standing in line at the coffee shop, starting a new business is an exciting thing to do. The truth is that, as an entrepreneur, the world is your oyster–especially if you’re starting a new business in a small town. That may sound counterintuitive. After all, wouldn’t you have more potential clients in a big city?

While, technically speaking, there are more people in a big city, there are also many competitors. Whether you’re starting a law firm or a grocery store, starting in a small town allows you to scale your new business on your own terms, without worrying about competitors swooping in to steal your potential clients. So, as you’re considering how to run a successful business in a small town, take a few minutes to read over these four business ideas that won’t let you down.

1. A custom website will impress your potential clients.

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Like it or not, a lot of business happens online these days. This is true no matter the type of business, or whether it’s being run in a small town in a rural area of the United States or a bustling metropolis. Even in rural areas, potential clients head to your website to check out how legitimate your business is. That means that every website visitor is a prospective client who could become a referral to more potential clients.

In other words, taking your web design seriously is one of the best practices for any startup business idea–so don’t opt for a DIY approach. Whether you’re in New York or Topeka, do a quick search for “campaign websites” to find the best local web designers. It’ll help make sure you’ve chosen a designer that can help you develop a stronger online presence. This is one component of your burgeoning business that you don’t want to overlook in any way.

2. SEO is king when it comes to online marketing strategies.

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SEO, or search engine optimization, refers to the practice of using keywords, blog posts, quality content, and other tactics to increase visibility for your website. If you’re starting a law firm, for example, you’ll see SEO mentioned in any marketing guide for law firms worth its salt, regardless of the practice area you’re specializing in. No one in your target audience will click past the first page on a search engine result (who does?). If you are an attorney who wants to make it in the legal industry, you need to think about how your SEO is or is not making your legal services known to your target audience.

3. A social media presence is a great way to find new clients.

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It may seem strange to think about social media profiles for a car wash, a law firm, a bakery, or a grocery store, but that’s only until you consider where your prospective clients are. Aren’t they on social media platforms, like all the rest of us? Facebook and Instagram aren’t just for seeing how many dogs that high school guys have adopted–they’re for investing in a content marketing tactic. It’s a smarter step to take for your overall business success and growth.

Beyond making sure that you get plenty of good reviews on Yelp, consider content marketing on social media (LinkedIn, for example) as the next step in boosting your small business’ visibility. For example, Sam Ramey is a social media influencer. Ramey’s consulting efforts have helped entrepreneurs start their own business and make use of cultural events (like performances of Don Giovanni at the New York City Opera) to take a salon or ice cream shop to the next level. Plus, Ramey does all of this on social media!

4. Make partnerships with the local community.

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If you’re starting a small town business, you need to be a part of the local community, regardless of the kind of business you’re launching. Take a look at the other small-town businesses around you and consider opportunities for collaborations. For instance, did you start a hardware store next to a taco food truck? Maybe for every pack of lightbulbs you sell, customers get 10 percent off a food truck purchase. Host a small business night at the high school in collaboration with the barbershop or hair salon down the block. The more the locals see you invested in their local community, the more loyal they’ll be to your business.

Whether you’re starting a law firm or a food truck, any small town business provides plenty of opportunity to a savvy entrepreneur with a great business plan. Consider the tips above to get yourself started, and you’ll be running a lucrative business in your own small town in no time.