Need a referral for a good plumber, roofer, spa & salon, knife sharpener, etc?

Please check out the members of my networking group: Business2Business Connection in San Diego.

Thank you!

Business not what it used to be?

A potential client called me today (hopefully to become a current/active client!) asking about my services for marketing his business. We had so much in common. He’s been in business for 30 years and this is the first time he’s had to advertise. I’ve been in business for 14 years, and am now looking for successful advertising placement. He usually gets new business through referrals. Word of mouth used to be MY main source of new clients too. He said things slowed down for him a year and a half ago. That’s exactly when my business took a turn too. It made me feel better to know I'm not the only one.

When did your business start to fall off? – IF it has, and hopefully it hasn’t!

Excerpt from “Think And Grow Rich”, by Napoleon Hill

(This book offers a lot more than about how to accumulate money, it’s about changing your thoughts from negative to positive.)

Every adversity,

every failure

and every heartache

carries with it

the Seed

of an equivalent

or a greater

Benefit

Watching your budget, or "dollar cost averaging" your advertising dollars?

Would you rather cut your ad budget to save money now or potentially grow your business by 256-percent over the next five years? Research shows companies who maintain their advertising during a bad economy reap the rewards long after the recession is over. (taken from Not Maurice's LinkedIn post this morning. Thank you, Catherine, this is excellent information.)

How much does a web site cost to create?

Check out this neat calculator, courtesy of an Internet find at DesignQuote.net with modifications by roncookweb.com for Lins Graphics!

http://www.creativeinter.net/estimator.html

Referrals are the backbone of any business...

I'd like to recognize some of the wonderful people who are constantly referring me and keeping me afloat!:

• Armstrong Printing Company in Inglewood, CA.
• Discount Printing in Woodland Hills, CA.
• Copy Corral in Lakeside, CA.

Thank you!

I wish you continued success in your businesses!

Marianne

Not much to say...

Work is slow and so I've been spending my time pounding the virtual pavement... making contacts, and hoping for more referrals. I've gotten a few - Thank you to my fans - but not all turn into paying projects. I'm talking to others who are experiencing similar extended slow times. So, I forge ahead, try to stay positive and try to stay involved.

If you have any suggestions, advice or ideas about how to market oneself in this prolonged downturn, I'd love to hear what you have to say.

Thank you!