I’m one of those crazy people who enjoys living in the quiet of the mountains and yearns for the connection of neighbors and being able to walk to a local community shopping area. No, you can’t really have both at the same time but you can connect with your local community and be informed about the closest place to get the products and services you need.

Using social media resources, businesses can capture the attention of online searchers with a few simple steps. My friend, Patsy Stewart of Entwine Inc., has put together a clear set of steps that take a business from invisible to neon bright! These steps are exactly what is detailed with the Get Found in Your Town project, launching later this week.

It doesn’t matter if you are searching to shop in your neighborhood or have a business reaching out to shoppers in your region, claiming your online real estate is an essential piece of 21st century life. Connecting to other members of your community leads to friendships, supportive relationships both personally and professionally and makes life fun. Yes, I’m an enthusiastic participant in new media and you may see that if you catch my scheduled appearance today on NBC affiliate WSLS 10′s new 12noon program in the Roanoke market, Our Blue Ridge.

Local communities are the heart of our economies, with local businesses providing the essentials of life, food, transportation, homes and jobs. Traveling is interesting but coming home is always comforting, knowing who will wave as you drive down the street, who will be happy when you step through the door. No matter the size of your community, searcher or business, connecting online to offline is making communities stronger.