My guess is as good as yours on the economy in 2009.  OK, maybe your guess is better than mine, but this is my blog, not yours.

Many businesses have cut back on marketing over the last year or more.  Many reports show that investing in marketing during an economic downturn is a great investment.  But I am not going to beat that drum – if you are short on cash you have to do what you have to do.

But if you live in the North – as I do – you know what a Spring Thaw looks like.  The day seems like Summer even though it is 38 degrees because of what you are used to.  And the water starts slowly dripping off then end of the icicles.

With some positive things in the news about the economy, it is like that first day of thaw.  There will still be more cold snaps and it is certainly not Summer yet, but good things are on the way.

Which brings me to your marketing.  If you did cut back on marketing for a while, now is the time to really think about increasing your visibility again.  As soon as people feel like the worst is over, they are going to splurge a little bit because they have been holding back for a long time.

Our new Inbound Marketing product is going so well that I have already begun to spend a little more than I was spending.  I even visited a new restaurant (new to me) because of their marketing – I’d really cut back on eating out for a while.

Sure, my new found optimism is related to a new marketing product – but that new product is the result of the economy.  We were forced to look at simplifying our offer and creating the highest value possible.

Marketing is not a situation where you want to jump in after everyone else is in there.  You want to be early and stand out in people’s minds.  Today is the optimal time to pump up your marketing.  If you are interested in online visibility, request our demo of how to make it easier for buyers to find you.

If that is not right for you, then find what is right.  Now is the time.

Quick note – I am rolling out some new things and you might want to visit my Inbound Marketing Blog.

Inbound Marketing is just one of the things I am hearing it called.  Also Magnetic Marketing, Pull Marketing…

The basic concept is to make it VERY easy for people that need your product or service to find you and to buy from you.

We have had great success with clients on this approach and we are currently transitioning Buzzoodle to be exclusively an Inbound Marketing Solution.

The sites are still a bit rough as they are being added to and updated, but things are going well so far and since I consider websites eternal works in progress, I might as well tell you about it now.

OK, maybe this is more of a public service announcement, but if you are looking for a job in North East Ohio some really talented professionals I know are doing a workshop.  They are David Akers, Kristopher McCrone, Katherine Miracle and Jeff Nischwitz.  (I have not met Kristopher, but the other three I have the highest respect for.)

JUMP START YOUR JOB SEARCH
ENHANCE YOUR NETWORKING RESULTS
AND ACCELERATE YOUR PATH TO YOUR NEXT CAREER!

• Date and Time – Thursday, April 2, 2009, from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. (registration begins at 7:30 a.m.)
• Location – Lockkeepers Restaurant, 8001 Rockside Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44125 (216-524-9404) (complimentary valet parking and continental breakfast included)
• Workshop Investment - $64.95 per person ($49.95 if you register on or before March 25^th)

This workshop will provide attendees with the tools they need to be the best . . . and ultimately the right . . . person for northeast Ohio employers!

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to

jump start your job search and accelerate your career path!

REGISTER NOW!

I just watched the interview about the Java Street Cafe in Kettering Ohio.

See the Java Street Cafe website here.

For a long time I have toyed with the idea that a Restaurant could make more money by not pricing things.  The Java Street Cafe is proving that the model really could work.

The buzz they are getting, the increased customer count and the increased revenue all show that the model is viable.  Think about it – waiters depend on tips and people can tip what they feel you are worth.

Why not price the food the same way?

If you are setting up a WordPress blog and are looking for free wordpress themes, there are many.  But there are also some advantages to purchasing a premium wordpress theme.  And the cost is usually very reasonable.

WordPress Hack has a good article about WordPress Themes and choosing the right wordpress theme for your project.

They cover issues around support and customization of the theme.

One interesting thing I learned about WordPress Themes from the article is that there is a problem with people selling bad themes as premium themes.  Since I am very careful with my shopping, I have never experienced that.  But I can see how someone new to WordPress could easily be fooled.]

The good thing is that you can find and install WordPress themes in a few minutes, and if you do not like them you can change the theme in seconds.  It is very nice.  Go try a few free wordpress themes first, and if the basics are not enough for you, then go shopping for a premium WordPress Theme.

My good friend and advisor Ron Finklestein was recently compared to Napoleon Hill.  You can read about it on his Nine Principles Business Site.

Only a couple of weeks ago, I was talking to someone that knows Ron Finklestein as well and she compared him to Dr. Phil.

Ron is a Tough Love kind of business advisor that cares more about your results than about your feelings.  Something most of us need, if you ask me.

So is Ron Finklestein the next Napoleon Hill or the business version of Dr. Phil?  Maybe he is just Ron Finklestein.