I’ve been away from the computer and out in my local community much more this week. That was a bit unanticipated, but the speaking engagement I had scheduled for this past Monday has been postponed, so that added 16 hours to my schedule (the driving time there and back).

So – I was able to put more work into some of my current projects and start scouting for some new ideas.

Ideas are the lifeblood of a business like mine. So I like to keep my eyes peeled.

This was small business week – so I took advantage of the free lunch at Friendship Park put on by the Chamber. I was shocked and dismayed that the Gala that was supposed to go on tonight was canceled. I really wanted to go, and had bought a new dress for the occasion. I didn’t have time to attend the meeting about the Highway – while I have my views on the issue and would like to give as much support as possible – I had three boys and a husband that were ill this week. I had to divide work time between doctor’s appointments and pharmacy visits. In any case, I was unable to attend, but did respond to the email that was sent out by the committee the next day. That also means that I was unable to drive up and see what the Chamber was offering up at the Forest Interpretive Centre. Maybe next year!

Being small business week – it was also the week I was in the paper I paid for a full page ad in the Small Business Week section. I also thought I’d see a story about my Everlasting PR Plan that they did the interview for. But perhaps it was killed for not being newsworthy enough.

This week I was particularly proud of a graphic project involving some photo manipulation. I forgot how much I enjoyed the challenge and intricacies of that. Not to mention the satisfaction of looking at a completed project and comparing it to the originals.

I’m also proud of my contributions at the Whitecourt Wolverines website.

I also had a great time meeting with the owners of the Family Tack Shop and to Lori at TiddleeWinx. I didn’t see Carol from CyberVision this week, but I’m sure I’ll be touching base with her soon. I’m looking forward to the one meeting that I’ve set up so far from the Small Business Week ad. I’m hoping to report soon that newspaper advertising in the Whitecourt Star is a wise investment for my business. (It’s alway good to keep testing what you believe in!)

Some people assume because I sell the publicity angle for getting into media that I eschew paying for marketing, but nothing could be further from the truth. I think that any effort to market should be done with an eye on return on investment. When you know the lifetime value of a customer then it’s easy to see the value of investment through paid and un-paid promotional opportunities. While I believe that much can be done in-house to increase customer retention and satisfaction (as well as encouraging valuable word of mouth advertising), there are times when other tactics can increase the impact of your marketing efforts.

I could go on and on about what I believe about marketing wisely with a frugal heart…I could write a book…and maybe I will.

Meantime, that about wraps up my thoughts on the week that passed.