5 Top Topics for 2023

For small towns and rural places: Top Topics for 2023. Not the same old trends!

SaveYour.Town co-founders Becky McCray and Deb Brown uncover the small trends and opportunities hidden in challenges many rural communities face.

Here's a preview of our top topics for small towns

Be pet friendly

Inexpensive ways to add more pet-friendly amenities for locals and visitors alike

Get tourism from EV chargers

When electric vehicles stop to charge, hit 'em with your tourism tips!

Re-use old gas stations

Every town has a few, and it will take some extra effort to find new uses

Revitalize old theaters

Innovative ideas for performing arts and movie theaters, and ways to generate regional cooperation

Be accessible

Be an age-friendly community and easy for more people to get into stores and services with these inexpensive action steps

Sample the first two topics here

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We’ve been following rural trends and writing them since 2009.

Our trends reports have been quoted by Emergent Research, the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, Farm Bureau’s Rural Community Building, and the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Foundation.

The influential Small Business Trends website chose Becky to publish a series of 5 rural small business trends reports.

Main Street America commissioned an article on The Future of Retail from Becky for their 2018 Annual State of Main magazine and annual report.

We've presented on small town trends and the future of rural communities over the past 10 years across the United States, Canada and Australia.

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If you're feeling a little uninspired, stale or burned out by the same old things, these top topics for rural places and small towns will spark some new action.

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This video is perfect for:

Agencies serving multiple rural communities
Community foundations, community leadership training
Utilities, electric cooperatives, telecommunications cooperatives
Tribes, Native and First Nation governments and organizations
Downtown groups, Main Street, merchants associations, retail groups
Economic development organizations, workforce groups
Rural banks, lenders
Chambers of Commerce, independent business alliances, business improvement groups, “local first” groups
Tourism, convention and visitors bureau
Newspapers, rural media, online media
University based rural programs, initiatives, studies

Not another tiresome webinar

Short, to the point video

Watch instantly on your schedule: anytime, on demand, starting now

Recorded so you can pause, stop, rewind or watch again immediately

You get personal access to Becky and Deb via message, email and comment. We do answer your questions personally!

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Share with others in your community as many times as you want

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If you were wondering...

Is this video recorded so I can watch later?

Yes, the video is recorded, and you'll be able to watch it immediately as soon as you complete your purchase. You are welcome to watch the video more than once, start and stop, or go back and watch again. You're not limited to watching from a single computer or with just one group.

Can I get a copy of the slides?

You get a transcript plus an audio-only version for listening on the go. (We don't do slides very often, but if we do, we share them with you.)

What if I have questions?

You can ask questions two ways: in the comment box or via email. We always answer you personally. You can also share stories or examples you've seen. That helps everyone!

Will the video play on my computer? Or on my phone?

Either one! If you can watch a YouTube video, you can watch this video. That means you can use any device, any screen that can load a web page for you to login. Any PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android phone or tablet, smart TV or TV with a streaming box or stick should work.
You don't need blazing fast internet.

Can I share the video with other people?

Yes! Once you’re registered, you can schedule more than one viewing so you reach as many people as possible. We encourage you to watch on your own or set up an in-person or virtual watch party.

How long should I make a watch party?

For a watch party, schedule 45 -50 minutes. You'll want that extra time to discuss what you watched and to network and talk with each other.

Who should I invite?

Your friends who love to do things with you
Visionaries like yourself
Downtown associations, Main Streets, chambers and economic developers
Positive thinkers and doers
Leaders and regular people
Community foundations and leadership groups
Youth groups, young entrepreneurs
Elected officials from your local municipalities, counties or tribes
Business with a community focus, like banks and utilities
People who care about your town

People standing together, arms around each others' backs in community

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5 Top Topics for 2023

19 minute video, available immediately

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What people like you say about SaveYour.Town videos

This video stimulated lots of note-taking and conversation between the business owners gathered at my house. Deb and Becky gave us some new ideas and several excellent examples of known models. I think some of us are thinking of pivoting our summer’s plans after participating in Wednesday’s event. Thanks for a well-thought out presentation!

Jonya Pacey, Minnesota

What a TERRIFIC marketing Video. I had 20 businesses show up to watch and they all left with new ideas and an excitement to get back and start implementing! I’ve already had 5 businesses reach out in less than 2 hours after it ended, that are already putting your ideas into action.

Mandy Walsh, City of Lampasas, Texas

There are always great take-aways from the videos that can be put into place immediately. One of my favorites is changing your store's evening vibe (different music, lighting, etc.) because evening shoppers are not the same as day time shoppers.

Diane Moore, Wheaton, Illinois

Videos by SaveYour.Town are fun way to learn some no-nonsense alternatives to community inertia.

Clark Hoskin, Ontario

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5 Top Topics for 2023 - video and audio

SaveYour.Town co-founders Becky McCray and Deb Brown uncover the small trends and opportunities hidden in challenges many rural communities face.

Skip the obvious trends you've heard over and over; these are small town topics that get overlooked.

If you're feeling a little uninspired, stale or burned out by the same old things, these top topics for rural places and small towns will spark some new action.

Watch now