[Hidden-tech] How to Spin Living in a Small Town

[Don Lesser]

I agree with Jeanne about spinning locally. For 9 years, when I first
started, I had almost no local clients. Then, as my business changed, almost
all my clients were local. In either case, having a portfolio of regional
and national clients helped to build credibility. 

These days, it seems that, like anywhere, mentioning common contacts or
knowing current and former businesses etc. is more important than where I
live and work. After all, my business is in Holyoke, which until I moved the
biz here in 95, I was convinced was part of the South Bronx.  In fact,
trying to get Northampton people to shop Amherst or Noho/Amherst people to
go over the Notch into Hamden County is pretty tough.

I was reminded of a Monday morning meeting I had on Wall Street in the late
80's. We were all suited up and professional and someone noticed my hands,
which were pretty banged up from a weekend of splitting and stacking
firewood. When I explained why, they assumed it was my "country home" and
wondered why I didn't just hire someone to do it. "Exercise," I said and
moved on.

I also ran into a hospital administrator, brother of a good friend, from
Atlanta, who said "Amherst? I use Amherst Associates [later HBO/McKesson]
software. They said they were right outside Boston." 90 miles is right
outside Boston if you're in Atlanta. 

Don Lesser
Pioneer Training, Inc.
14 Bobala Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 536-1030 (phone)
(413) 552-0472 (fax)
dlesser at ptraining.com
www.ptraining.com

-----Original Message-----
From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Jeanne
Yocum
Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 12:47 PM
To: Hidden Tech Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] How to Spin Living in a Small Town

   ** Be a Good Dobee and help the group, you must be counted to post .
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Hi,

I moved to the Valley in 2002 after 32 years in Boston and its environs. I
haven't found my "country" location to be an issue at all in terms of
attracting clients from Boston (or even from other parts of the country via
my Web site), so "spinning" has not been required. I believe people are far
more interested in whether you can help them solve their business problem
than in where you do your work. (Certainly, I do realize that being able to
rattle off a long list of current and former Boston clients helps.)

I'm not sure what it would be like if I had spent my entire career in the
Valley. However, turning Marcia's question around somewhat, when I first
moved here Valley people strongly advised me to make sure local companies
knew I had just arrived from Boston. I was told this would be a big factor
in my favor. I heard a lot about the tendency of local firms to look to the
eastern part of the state for talent while ignoring the considerable amounts
of talent that can be found right at their doorstep.

So in some ways, it seems "spinning" is more necessary for potential Pioneer
Valley clients than for big city prospects.

Jeanne Yocum  | Principal
____________________________
Tuscarora Communications, Ltd.
Granby, MA
www.yourghostwriter.com
Member: National Writers Union
 


On 8/3/06 5:56 AM, "Marcia Yudkin" <marcia at yudkin.com> wrote:

>    ** Be a Good Dobee and help the group, you must be counted to post .
>    ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
> 
> 
> If you love living in the Valley, as I do, how do you "spin" your location
> to big-city clients?
> 
> Here's an article I recently wrote that contains reflections on this
topic:
> 
> http://www.yudkin.com/spinning.htm
> 
> Comments welcome!
> 
> Marcia Yudkin
> Goshen
> 
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