We have some pretty cool ads running on the East Bay BART routes these days promoting Sonoma County as a tourist destination. Yes, tough sell, we know.

... the tough get results! Now that the government says we've officially been in a recession since last December (as if you didn't know), it's tempting to want to hide in a cave and reduce your marketing efforts. Don't do it. We can tell you why.

Studies show that companies that continue to maintain a robust marketing presence do much better than those that don’t. According to a McGraw Hill study conducted after the recession of the early 80s, the companies that continued to spend on advertising saw profits that were 40% more than business that cut back. It gets better. Between 1980 and 1985, companies that committed to advertising enjoyed revenue growth of 275% on average, compared to a 19% increase for those with reduced marketing budgets.

You see where we’re going with this. When times are tough, we look to leaders with vision to give us hope, guidance and reassurance. So, reject the siren’s song of helpless resignation, and embrace the possibilities that lay at your feet. Take action. While others cower, raise your profile. It could be something big – a new logo, a refreshed website, a new product or service, or something not-quite-so-big -– monthly email blasts, a chamber of commerce flyer, a business open house. And of course, we're always willing to help!