Acknowledgments
About the Website
Foreword, by Mary Ellen Bates
Introduction
Take a Geography Lesson
Small Locations Don't Live in Isolation
Take Time for a Reality Check
Be Flexible
Throw In a Little Creativity
Use the Web to Find Sources Rather Than Just Answers
Verify What You Find
Know When It's Time to Pay
Chapter Two Packing the Essentials: Key Resources for Local Business Research
So Many Choices
People Resources
Government Resources
Local Organizations
Specialized Resources
News Resources
Social Media Resources
Chapter Three Avoiding Shady Characters: Evaluating Information on the Web
What's the Problem?
Tips for Finding Quality Local Information
Chapter Four Local Demographics
About Local Demographics
Before You Get Started
Decision Points
Best Places to Look
Putting It Into Action
Chapter Five Local Economics
About Local Economics
Before You Get Started
Decision Points
Best Places to Look
Putting It Into Action
Chapter Six Local Companies
About Local Companies
Before You Get Started
Decision Points
Best Places to Look
Putting It Into Action
Chapter Seven Looking for Locals
About Looking for Locals
Before You Get Started
Decision Points
Best Places to Look
Putting It Into Action
Chapter Eight Local Issues
About Local Issues
Before You Get Started
Decision Points
Best Places to Look
Putting It Into Action
Chapter Nine Paying at the Pump: Fee-Based Sources for Local Business Information
Fee-Based vs. Free Resources
Types of Fee-Based Sources
Pricing
What's the Value of Your Time?
Fee-Based Sources for Local Information
Appendix A: Resource Roadmap: Key Sources for Local Research
Appendix B: How Do I ...?: Short Guides to Local Business Research
About the Author
Index
Back to Research on Main Street
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