This blog (and the newsletter) is more or less about marketing.  And my primary audience for this information is the folks who live beyond the sidewalk.  I have a great deal of sympathy for the people involved in rural living.  For decades, I’ve shared their lifestyle.  This population tends to be motivated and passionate about a rural way of life, but rarely has formal training in promoting a commercial side of their lifestyle.  Every rural way of life is ultimately faced with the challenges of making it economically viable. 

Marketing principles  apply to all businesses and all people.  So, while I’ve targeted rural readers first, other small business owners are also in my thoughts.  If you own a small urban business and you are the marketing director, then the same principles apply; just the details are different.  The bedrock ideas and skills and strategies fit  every small business.   

But here’s what’s ironic.  Marketing at bedrock principles, is actually about  persuasion and building good relationships.  So the ideas and strategies in this blog actually have a much broader application than just for small businesses¾rural or otherwise. 

If you’re a human being and have to support yourself, or get along with other human beings, you will often need persuasion and relationship skills.  The words “marketing” and “persuasion” are actually interchangeable with “relationship.”  This blog also contains a few ideas that are just about feeling better and improving attitudes.  That ultimately impacts relationships and persuasion, too. 

So if you happen to be a non-rural person reading any of this, remember that the principles are universal.  When you read a sentence such as “Tell your customer how his life gets better by doing business with you,” you can do a little translation and know that it applies as well to husbands, wives and children, bosses, partners and co-workers, friends, neighbors and associates. 

“Tell your husband how his life gets better by taking out the garbage.” 

“Tell your co-worker what he gets by meeting your deadline.”

“Tell your daughter how she benefits by cleaning her room, now.”

“Tell your friend why it’s in her interest to go shopping with you.”

“Tell your group why they’ll be more successful if they do what you’re           suggesting.”