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Anyone Successful Working In a Small Community Where the Business Doesn't Have Much Competition?

by bshelite
19 replies
The town I live in is around 40,000 +/- and most of the businesses have minimal
competition.

Has anyone had any luck building an offline consulting business in a town
similar to mine?

Thanks,

Brett
#business #community #competition #small #successful #working
  • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
    Hmm, just checked where I'm going:

    63,331 - Jul 2008

    I have already googled some generic things to get a feel of what is going on - and someone there has been doing some SEO for some businesses. That's not to say I can't do better. I can see what the sites are missing and I'm thinking to find below the fold or page 2 clients and blast out who ever has been doing half a$$ed work. Cause I roll like that. lol
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  • Profile picture of the author Laura B
    40,000 is a small community? To me, that's big. We have approximately 1,000 people in our town and I'm the only fish in this pond. Which is good and bad.
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  • Profile picture of the author pethanks
    It depends where you are in this world. If you are in urban areas then expect a very hot competition among businesses.
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  • Profile picture of the author mathmo
    I'm sure there are a few businesses there that could have a wider market than just their own town, pitch them that angle
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    • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
      Hey Mathmo

      You all but guarantee that some of the small town businesses have tenticles that spread into other areas.

      Approach them the right way and you get business in other parts too.

      Regards

      Bronwyn and Keith
      Originally Posted by mathmo View Post

      I'm sure there are a few businesses there that could have a wider market than just their own town, pitch them that angle
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      • Profile picture of the author mathmo
        Originally Posted by bronke13 View Post

        Hey Mathmo

        You all but guarantee that some of the small town businesses have tenticles that spread into other areas.

        Approach them the right way and you get business in other parts too.

        Regards

        Bronwyn and Keith
        I don't worry, I don't live in a small town

        Well some friends call it a small town, but with a million plus people that is a fair sized town!

        I was just replying to help out the OP
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  • Profile picture of the author Rosa2303
    Competition can improve your work.
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    • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
      I know of people who've had success in much smaller towns.

      Ultimately if you can find a way to make more sales and profits for a business or get people to come back and buy again or get people to buy more when they buy or get people to buy more frequently or give more referrals then you're going to have businesses who want to hire you.

      Beyond that also remember that you're not limited to your local area.

      You can have business clients from your state, your country or from anywhere in the world.

      That will begin to happen over time anyway as you start to get referrals from clients to businesses who are outside your local area.

      Kindest regards,
      Andrew Cavanagh
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  • Profile picture of the author bshelite
    Some great advice... Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author mclpro
    You could maybe do it through a direct mail campaign of promotional products....and then print a website link/QR code on it.

    Let me know if you're interested.
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  • Profile picture of the author bshelite
    I know that once I get "in the door" I will be successful.

    I am attempting to decide what to offer up front that will get the business
    owner's interest.
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  • Profile picture of the author tonyscott
    Around 11,000 in my town and I do OK.

    It's been mentioned in another thread, but starting your own town/area directory will give you plenty of exposure and position you as the local expert. It's the foundation of my business and it works well (if you do the work).

    Tony
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    • Profile picture of the author bshelite
      Tony,

      Thanks for the advice. This is actually the route I have decided to take
      myself.

      I am assuming that the links in your signature are examples of what you
      suggest.

      Either way.... impressive sites.

      Thanks again,

      Brett





      Originally Posted by tonyscott View Post

      Around 11,000 in my town and I do OK.

      It's been mentioned in another thread, but starting your own town/area directory will give you plenty of exposure and position you as the local expert. It's the foundation of my business and it works well (if you do the work).

      Tony
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      • Profile picture of the author aduttonater
        Theres are alot of factors to key in. Is your town wealthy? What are the towns interests? Is there more people or more land? Is there a chance to travel outside of your city to surrounding cities?

        Sometime people will buy what you have, just so they can get something else that you offer. Such as spend $5000 and get a 3 day vacation in the Bahamas!
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      • Profile picture of the author tonyscott
        Originally Posted by bshelite View Post

        Tony,

        Thanks for the advice. This is actually the route I have decided to take
        myself.

        I am assuming that the links in your signature are examples of what you
        suggest.

        Either way.... impressive sites.

        Thanks again,

        Brett
        Hi Brett,

        Yes, my sig links are my two main local directory sites. Thanks for saying that they're impressive, a lot of work has gone into them.

        They have many uses:
        As a stand alone advertising medium
        To demonstrate my (your) abilities
        To prove SEO ability - assuming that they rank well
        As a bonus for a potential web design/seo client
        To advertise your own services online.

        A community site is a great business model - a lot of work initially, but for me, annual recurring advertising income is what I aim for. There's also the option to sell the sites at some point in the future.

        The larger site also generates significant affiliate income, an area that I intend to grow by building a list and marketing to it.

        Tony
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  • Profile picture of the author wesleyjbeck
    My home town has around 1000 and i have picked up two clients, one with rental cabins the other a flooring contractor. I am working on a construction company and a clorhing store. these are pretty much locked up. My thing is price, i can't charge near as much as most talk about. These folks don't have a lot of business but i call it practice. I plan on going about 50 to 75 miles out and hit much larger towns.

    If you provide services your town can handle you can get a few clients, just for starters. I got a 3 month contract with my clients, if i make a good showing and increase their customer base i think i can ask for a little more and another contract for next year.
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  • Profile picture of the author mathmo
    wesleyjbeck client of the one with rental cabins is I think a good example of where a person should target in a small town

    Aim for the businesses that cater to the travelers. As obviously they need to research their accommodation/sightseeing/entertainment/food/tours/etc on the internet BEFORE arriving in your small town.

    Thus the internet is a powerful promotion tool for these businesses where conventional advertising media doesn't work quite as well.

    tonyscott's idea is a particularly good idea. Start up a local website for your area, it will get you the attention You could even make it be your local town's news site, you might write an occasional news piece but I'm sure you could invite lots of people to submit too.
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