There are millions of small, well-run, mom and pop businesses all over America. They come to work every day, provide a great service and help drive the engine of the economy. Many say that they are the ones that will help get us out of the mess we are in. And whether it’s Joe the plumber, Margie’s Pet Grooming, Bob’s Barber Shop, your local florist or even a larger business that may not necessarily be in retail – they are out there, every day, interfacing with people in their community, working hard.

In addition, there are thousands of older manufacturers and other companies that have been doing things the same way for a long time. Maybe a little stodgy, but making lots of money. These are the companies we are talking about.

Most of them are customer service pros and are very good at what they do – they have to be, it’s typically super competitive for them. There may be 10 salons in a city, for example, all going after the same people.

But… they are usually tech “un-savvy” …hardly ever going on the Internet, rarely using email.  (At least this is the case for many of them). Some of these businesses I frequent still use old cash registers and “pre-Internet” computers.  But it doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from online marketing strategies and the principles of SEO and SMO.

Having been to a bunch of SEO and Online Marketing conferences, I have often said to myself, “where are these people?” and if they don’t want to come or think they don’t need to come or don’t know about these events, shouldn’t we reach out and let them know?  Why does it seem like all these SEO types are just talking to each other (and a few Fortune 500 marketing execs) at the conferences?

Folks, there are a ton of businesses out there that have been neglected. And we can help. We need to help!   I knew when I started speaking about SEO and online content at local Rotary clubs and other organizations and they looked back at me with blank stares, there was a huge opportunity just waiting.

Further research indicated that most of them weren’t getting any help with their online marketing and very few SEM’s and SEO experts were out there showing them the way.

This was one of the reasons I wrote Content Rich. I was talking to these people in the book. And wouldn’t you know, these are the ones that are getting the most out of it. I get thank you emails from them almost every day…and that’s great.

As for me, these are the companies I love to work with. You can make a big impact right away. And no, many of them don’t have a wide audience…they serve the people in their local communities.  But site optimization (plus site creation!), link building and Local Search is out there, waiting for them.

We need to help them get there. We all win.

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