Every small business has the same basic problem – a great service or product and not enough dollars to market it properly.

Advertising is expensive and can be hit or miss. How do you make your target audience pay attention to your message? What sort of budget and time should you allocate?

Before you start down that road however, go back to basics and make money now. Here’s how:

Re-connect with old clients. People drop off for a variety of reasons – often because you’ve simply not kept up the relationship. Go back through your old contact list. Email then, then phone them offering a special offer.

If you’ve a local business, connect with local residents and business with something quirky (more…)

Every school fundraising committee has the  same problem – what’s hot right now, will it raise a ton of  money and might even be remembered for the fun that was had by all! Not too hard an ask surely!

Herewith a series of fun ideas – but don’t forget some of the simplest are just a click away at  Handbands – from keychains to sell with the school name on them, to dogtags and timestable bandz and collectibles. Handbands make it easy to earn money and help brand the school.

1. Write down a series of things for students to enjoy on a hundred or so coupons. For example; a plate of sweets, or a homework-free night, or handband collectibles or packs of chocolates – anything fun and desirable… but, and here’s the big one; include (more…)

WASHINGTON, Apr 25, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — New research has shown that most Americans, 59 percent, know little or nothing about lupus and its devastating impact. This May for Lupus Awareness Month, the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is urging individuals nationwide to Band Together for Lupus Awareness(R) to improve understanding of lupus, an unpredictable and sometimes fatal disease that affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans.

“A lack of awareness of the disease contributes to many people dismissing early warning signs of lupus, which can cause serious health risks,” said Sandra C. Raymond, President and CEO, Lupus Foundation of America. “We are asking everyone to get involved and band together, so together we can increase awareness and change lives.” (more…)

If there was ever a reason to be proud of being from a small town, Thursday night was just it.

It’s been nearly a month since 17-year-old Jordan Chippett was diagnosed with leukemia, and the support has been tremendous. From organized leukemia awareness days, to selling bracelets and t-shirts, to making “get well soon” cards, the community has rallied around the Chippett family.

And Thursday night was the pinnacle of it. (more…)

Friends of Seth Couch are raising $10,000 to establish the endowment for a Midwestern State University scholarship in Couch’s memory.

Couch was studying marketing at MSU and worked as a server at Johnny Carino’s Country Italian Restaurant when he died Oct. 16, 2011, at age 22. (more…)