My Hometown Doesn't Care About My Work
Has your hometown become a prison for your work?
Move operations online
Move to a city
Change your mindset or your business model
I grew up in a small country town in southern Virginia. I went to a major university in a chicken farm town. Right out of college, I stayed in that chicken farm town thinking I could sell high-end video production. I was wrong.
I was in a small town with a bunch of uninterested customers that didn't value the work I was offering.
Here's what you can do if you find yourself in this situation:
1. Move operations online
The current times have made it apparent that having an online presence whether it's a portfolio page, blog, or storefront is imperative. Many folks today are scrambling to get their websites built ASAP in order to keep their existing customers.
By making your business, an online-first operation, you're inviting clients and customers from around the world to purchase your services. The world is now your hometown.
2. Move to a city.
"Your zip code is a strong signal of future wealth. Two-thirds of economic growth will take place in cities. Like tennis, when you rally with someone better than you, you improve, being in a city forces you to rally with the best."
- Scott Galloway, Prof. NYU Stern (https://youtu.be/1T22QxTkPoM?t=77)
I realized that I could be making double my pay for the same type and amount of work. Easy math there. The living expenses go up, but you're looking at a wildly profitable move by surrounding yourself with bigger and better talent.
Not to mention the branding boost when you can say that you're an NYC or ATX or Nashville business. It has charm and gravitas.
Put differently - Would you rather hire a filmmaker from NYC or a filmmaker from Danville, Virginia?
3. Change Your Business or Your Attitude
Looking back, I realized that what I was selling was something that wasn't valued in the area. I thought that I needed to educate my clients and show them why my services were so valuable. Instead, I was headstrong and turned a lot of people off my business.
What I should've done was to listen to their problems and think of solutions after hearing them out. By pushing my solution onto them without even getting to know them, I made it clear that I wasn't a good listener and I didn't care about the success of THEIR business.
If you're stuck in your town and don't a feasible way to move, then I suggest you reach out to folks in your town and ask them what problems they are facing. Show them that you're genuine and interested in what they have to say.
Cheers,
Jordan P. Anderson
P.S. - Did you know that you can directly reply to these emails?
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