After two weeks of traveling and family visits, it was refreshing to have the past fews days alone in my office. I utilized the solitude to collect some notes and to schedule my remaining work weeks for 2009. To plot changes in my schedule and to examine my priorities.

A tangible change for this site will be the merging it with my main (and recently revamped) site, The Star Garden.

Although there are some topics specific to for rural business development, I have learned that most of my regular readers simply want links and quick reference. Thus, merging the resources I post here with the posts and resources at The Star Garden just made sense.

So … What about those tips? Click here.

“I don’t have time.” Common answer to any sort of suggestion regarding adding something new to one’s business day. Freelancers and small business owners get particularly dazed when I introduce them to being online — being active in social media.

When you fall into a trap, you know it. It binds you — it hurts! — and it prevents you from moving on … It keeps you from your journey and your dreams in the distance — as they fade from view.

The most common trap?

Fear.

Fear is a common (and necessary!) element of living. It is a sign marking the outer boundaries of our comfort zone. Being out of our comfort zone, means embarking upon new horizons as we journey in the direction of our dreams!

Sometimes working alone or in a small town creates a bubble around us. We call it a comfort zone; but it is anything but something of comfort.

It is a false sense of comfort that comes screaming down around us when bump into it on our way to change.

Consider:

• Is what I am doing right now, groundwork for new growth or merely busyness and habit?
• How many minutes/hours will I commit to learning new ideas? laying groundwork for the future?
• Read 5 Things Small Business Owners Should Do Today Online (and the comments ). Which one will I try?
• Keep a short list. Seriously. One thing today will change many things tomorrow. Just do it. Now.

Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Image Credit (I like this visual, too. )

There has long been discussion regarding how to increase traffic and “circulation” of one’s blog. I myself tend to lean on relationship (conversation) and networking-servanthood.

However, it has never been about the numbers for me.

I blog because I have been an advocate and resource person since I was self-employed in college. It has been my experience that when one person has a question or a need, said person is merely the first one in a line of others who seek the same. Engaging in conversations and networking what is learned have always (always!) inspires action!

That absolutely does not minimize the value I receive from blogging and from social media. But merely promoting your blog without dialogue or some tangible element of relationship is glorified spam. It will not produce long-term results.

Before social media (which of course includes blogs) there was mere media: Advertising and public relations. Then with the introduction to online community bulletin boards, AOL and e-mail, discussion boards,  chatrooms — and the countless other steps to the social media adventure that exists now.

Mack Collier states his view here (that successful blogging is about being social). In response, Steven Hodson posts, “It’s always been the conversation …“:

Thank you Mack for aptly sizing up the the over hyped nonsense that all it takes to become a popular blogger is a lot of really good in-depth quality posts. In most cases, when you look at those blogs that are ranked as being the most popular, the majority of them are lucky if the vast quantity of their posts exceed a couple hundred words. At best they are a paragraph, or two, and a nice oversized graphic.

While I realize the jury is still out for some of my local micro- and small business friends, I remain a proponent of Twitter as an essential business tool.

So, of course I was delighted to learn that Twitter has compiled a list of key business practices and how-to’s for its innovative social media offering. They created a downloadable guide, “Twitter 101 for Business” which is brimming with useful, easy-to-implement information and helps.

Twitter is a communications platform that helps businesses and their customers do a number of useful things. As a business, you can use it to quickly share information with people interested in your company, gather real-time market intelligence and feedback, and build relationships with customers, partners and other people who care about your company. As an individual user, you can use Twitter to tell a company (or anyone else) that you’ve had a great—or disappointing—experience with their business, offer product ideas, and learn about great offers. — Source

• A related resource, The Twitter Guidebook, is available from Mashable (the fabulous social media guide!).

Wheat Harvest, Grady County, Oklahoma
Photo Credit

It seems that both my online and local business buddies (as well as myself!) are officially on summer break! Planning and writing and brainstorming become somewhat second banana to outdoor activities, family gatherings and surviving the heat of the July sun!

However, with only a few minutes this morning (before I officially start an early weekend!) I decided to share some excellent resource links. It was inspiring as I scheduled an early morning “appointment” with Google Reader to catch up — and I am eager to share a few links!

Starting with Becky McCray‘s Small Biz Survival, Brag Basket. I do so because she was one of the first folks I connected with via Twitter as the result of a keyword search of “rural business” … Remarkable stroke of luck on my part! She is multi-faceted and her mind is brimming with ideas and inspiration!

We met in person at an entrepreneurial conference in February. Which fueled my commitment to facilitate networks of like-minds regarding the possibilities of rural development — online and locally.

Another rural entrepreneur is Karen Wylie. Her blog, Backroads Business is always a bushel of insight and country views. I discovered “The Promise and Peril of the Freelance Economy” in this post.

Other random resource links:

• Rural Technology — Using Social Media
• Small businesses connect with customers on Facebook, Twitter
• Avoid common mistakes of business owners
• Operating a Rural Small Business
• Open Thread: What Did You Get Right When You Started Freelancing?

And, of course, Rural Business News links always has an eclectic blend of information! In addition, scroll down to the links under “Business Development Resources” on this page.

What are resources you have been reading? Discover any thought-provoking sites? Just want to declare your summer status?

Please feel free to leave your comments, links and suggestions …

Main Street — Slaton, Texas
Photo Credit

When thinking of advertising, the old saying comes to mind – “It takes money to make money.” In other words, you have to spend money in order to attract customers/clients, who in turn buy your product/service giving you more money. And one of the best places to start spending money is with advertising.

What does the word “advertising” cover?

• Print: business cards, newspaper ads, yellow page ads, trade magazine ads, promotional mailings, press releases, billboards;
• Web: websites, banner ads, affiliate programs, blogs, social media outlets;
• Radio/Television: commercials, calendar of events, press releases

When starting out, affordability should be the focus. What can you afford to do? Where can you find the best rates? Is there any ‘free’ advertising available?

Is it more effective to:
a.) purchase two weeks of radio commercials for $1,000 and do no other advertising for 3 months or
b.) purchase ads in various periodicals and online for 3 months for the same price?
Which will give you the best return for your investment? While it’s hard to say for sure, typically option B, which offers more diversification, is best when starting out.

As you consider your advertising options, keep these tips in mind:

• Begin small.
• Set goals.
• Don’t expect immediate results.
• Think long term.

However, before venturing out in the advertising waters, make sure a few pieces are in place for your business.
1.    Phone number
2.    Basic website (if necessary)
3.    E-mail address – preferably a separate address from your personal e-mail address
4.    Catch phrase – what makes you different than your competition?

Next, start with your business card. Include all of the contact information mentioned above. View your business card as the springboard for things to come. What you include on your business card (logo, photo, catch phrase, colors, etc.) will eventually be used in other places – print ads, website, letterhead, postcards, etc.

Many online print companies offer free, attractive templates for business cards. The templates are easy to use – simply type in your information – and the card quality is good. And a lot of companies offer coordinating brochures, letterhead, envelopes, etc.

But if the thought of templates and matte finishes overwhelms you or design just isn’t your thing, consider talking with a graphic designer. The idea of hiring a designer might seem like an unnecessary expense, but a well-designed business image helps lend credibility to your business. (And if you have a custom-designed piece, you won’t run the risk of meeting someone with an identical business card.)

Depending on your type of business, could you barter with the designer for services or offer a discount on future purchases of your product? And don’t assume that you have to hire the downtown, big city agency to create your business image. Visit your local high school, vocational school, or college.

Many rising artists and designers charge a fraction of the cost of the big agencies, and most are looking for projects to add to their portfolio. Plus, a well-designed piece for you means good word-of-mouth advertising and potential future work for the rising designer.

About the author:

Kara Sanger, owner of Skala Creative LLC, has been studying words and design for over 15 years. Her love for words started in childhood as an avid reader. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Publishing and has stayed current on trends for the past 10 years. Her professional experience includes time in the classroom as a high school English teacher, a writer and ad designer for a local West Virginia newspaper, an online English and Writing tutor, and a freelance editor and designer.

Follow Kara on Twitter … @kara_s

Self-employment is the new reality for a growing segment of the U.S. Labor force, and more so in rural than in urban areas. Although self-employment potentially holds many opportunities for rural economies, earnings of the rural self-employed lag significantly and increasingly behind those of traditional workers. More …

Amidst the various events of May, I have been organizing some notes to maintain the momentum of late. Which will be especially useful upon my return from vacation next week! Vacation time offers pockets of time (waiting for flights, picnics, no home chores …) in which we can leisurely read through books.

This summer I plan to enjoy the long, hot days in plan-mode as I organize and write classes for September start dates. I also have some posts of my own scheduled as well as other posts written by some fabulous fellow rural entrepreneurs! So stay tuned!

As I pack for my trip, my business journal and a couple of books are tucked away in the suitcase side pocket. And I leave you with a short list of books I recommended:

• Time Management for the Creative Person, Lee Silber
• The Creative Entrepreneur, Lisa Sonora Beam
• 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women, Gail McMeekin
• The Renegade Writer, Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell

Stephanie Diamond’s no nonsense reading list for online business ‘how-tos’” and I recommend her post, 7 Success Principles for Online Businesses.

What are your summer plans? What changes in your business schedule are required during the summer months? Please feel free to leave your comments, links and suggestions …

To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream. ~Anatole France

Ann Holman: [S]tart a business that taps into your values not your ego. Consider a business that brings out your character not your persona. Be motivated by your passion not money and create something that has true meaning to yourself. Start something interesting. Start something that is going to make a difference to people’s lives. More …

Sometimes the first step is the hardest: coming up with an idea. Coming up with an idea should be like sitting on a pin. It should make you jump up and do something. ~Kemmons Wilson

Photo Credit

None of us is as smart as all of us. ~Ken Blanchard

It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit. Consider the tower being constructed in the image above. It is being built one floor at a time by a company that employs numerous employees — each with their own specialty.

One floor at a time — with the expertise and contribution of one person at a time.

Obviously, as a sole proprietor, freelancer or microbusiness person, you don’t have a large staff and millions of dollars of equipment. However, you can work on a “floor” of your business each day to build the business you dream for tomorrow.

And you have the opportunity to build a team — even if only an informal, volunteer team — each member equipped with his or her own expertise.

Let’s begin with the blueprint of the proverbial building:

1. Compile a Master List of your dreams, want-to’s, always-thought-abouts.
2. Group these items together according to relevance and.or time needed to accomplish.
3. Determine the stages of construction. Group tasks for specific stages together.

Utilizing a construction team:

The foundation and purpose of what you are building will determine who you will need on your “construction” team. Perhaps you already have Accountability Partners and a Focus Group. Seek out specific people within those groups, and seek their input and expertise. And don’t dismiss participating as a team member for their building projects!

Once you take these initial steps, you begin to create the momentum to continue. Your written plans and team members will provide you with bench marks and keep you motivated.

What will you do today that will contribute to your dreams for tomorrow?

For some inspiring prompts for the answer to that question, visit:

• Dare to Dream
• 30 Days of Social Marketing (great tips from @stevegasser)
• Top 10 Most Practical Blogs for Entrepreneurs
• Basic Description of Strategic Planning (including key terms to know)

And if you are convinced you are stuck in a rut … “The rut you’re in isn’t permanent, nor is it perfect.” So says, Seth Godin in “Can you change everything?” So, starting this very moment, decide about your business blueprint. Build a team … And work the plan!

Deciding now frees up your most valuable asset, time, so you can go work on something else. — Seth Godin