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In today’s global economy, businesses need targeted, localized information about customers, companies, and industries, but adding the element of geography to any search topic—especially for counties, cities, census blocks, or any other substate areas—makes any project more challenging. Aimed at tackling these issues head-on, this guide offers free and low-cost options for using the web to find business and market information about various places, usually on the substate geographic level. Revealing how to use local sources for more in-depth research into people, companies, and national issues, this resource offers a manageable structure for how to approach this type of research, key resources, and practical solutions to specific questions. Each chapter includes valuable “Tips from the Pros,” short sections spotlighting expert researchers’ advice for finding information about local demographics, economies, companies, people, and issues. A companion website can be found at ResearchOnMainStreet.com.
Acknowledgments xi
About the Website xiii
Foreword Mary Ellen Bates xv
Introduction xix
Chapter 1 Planning the Trip: How to Approach Local Business Research 1
Take a Geography Lesson 2
Small Locations Don't Live in Isolation 2
Take Time for a Reality Check 3
Be Flexib 5
Throw In a Little Creativity 6
Use the Web to Find Sources Rather Than Just Answer 7
Verify What You Find 10
Know When It's Time to Pay 11
Chapter 2 Packing the Essentials: Key Resources for Local Business Research 13
So Many Choices 14
People Resources 15
Government Resources 16
Local Organizations 26
Specialized Resources 28
News Resource 30
Social Media Resources 34
Chapter 3 Avoiding Shady Characters: Evaluating Information on the Web 41
What's the Problem? 41
Tips for Finding Quality Local Information 46
Chapter 4 Local Demographic 57
About Local Demographics 57
Before You Get Started 59
Decision Points 63
Best Places to Look 64
Putting It Into Action 73
Chapter 5 Local Economic 77
About Local Economics 77
Before You Get Started 78
Decision Points 81
Best Places to Look 84
Putting It Into Action 99
Chapter 6 Local Companies 105
About Local Companies 105
Before You Get Started 106
Decision Points 108
Best Places to Look 111
Putting It Into Action 125
Chapter 7 Looking for Locals 129
About Looking for Locals 129
Before You Get Started 131
Decision Points 133
Best Places to Look 135
Putting It Into Action 144
Chapter 8 Local Issues 149
About Local Issues 149
Before You Get Started 151
Decision Points 153
Best Places to Look 157
Putting It Into Action 164
Chapter 9 Paying at the Pump: Fee-Based Sources for Local Business Information 171
Fee-Based vs. Free Resources 172
Types of Fee-Based Sources 175
Pricing 176
What's the Value of Your Time? 178
Fee-Based Sources for Local Information 179
Appendix A Resource Roadmap: Key Sources for Local Research 189
Appendix B How Do I…?: Short Guides to Local Business Research 231
About the Author 241
Index 243
Overview
In today’s global economy, businesses need targeted, localized information about customers, companies, and industries, but adding the element of geography to any search topic—especially for counties, cities, census blocks, or any other substate areas—makes any project more challenging. Aimed at tackling these issues head-on, this guide offers free and low-cost options for using the web to find business and market information about various places, usually on the substate geographic level. Revealing how to use ...