News flashes:

- The first 5 Keys to Business Success seminar was a success, with over 20 attendees. The next event is going to happen in March, we’re just reviewing our schedules and venue. Watch for more info.

- The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce held its first Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast at the Cherokee Conference Center, and WOW! Impressive. The venue is gorgeous, the staff was fabulous, the food exceptional, the turnout amazing and it was fabulous to hear all the clanking of real silverware on real plates. Great job everyone who worked on the event and we look forward to next month!

- The Southeast Cherokee Business Network (SECBN) hosted its first training session this past week. Jo-Ann Culbert, President of Coaching Support Services Inc., taught the first of three sessions based on the book Book Yourself Solid. If you haven’t read the book, and you’re in business for yourself, you need to read that book. Excellent job Jo-Ann! The networking group is looking forward to your next session in March.

- Speaking of SECBN, the group is holding its first After Hours Social this Thursday, February 12th at Kayson’s in Hickory Flat. They’re expecting a good turnout for relationship building, networking and just a good time.

- Also big news for the Southeast Cherokee Business Network is their upcoming move. The group has been meeting at Shane’s Rib Shack in Hickory Flat since May. But now that the Frosty Frog Creamery has opened its new and enlarged “pad”, the group will be moving to the Frog’s party room beginning February 25th. While Shane’s was a great place to hold the meetings, the Frog offers a more intimate setting and the opportunity to support Frank and Glenda Cole, the owners who also are members of the SECBN. In fact, Frank was one of the founding members of the group!

In other news, there has been a rush of business owners asking us about advertising in the Around Town publications, and here’s the bottom line. If your marketing plan includes local magazine advertising, if you can be consistent with placement, and if you’re ready to test different offers, yes, Around Town may be a good fit for you for several reasons: they’re hyper local (Canton, Woodstock, Sixes Living, Towne Laker, Acworth, Roswell, Alpharetta, and so forth), also they’re read! – important!! but make sure YOUR target reads them, they’re also a quality piece – print quality is good, articles and columns have value – something you want to associate with your company, they’re also pretty affordable, have a decent shelf life, and are distributed widely throughout the geographical zone.  We design ads for your placement in magazines such as these, or you can pay the magazine publisher to create an ad for you.

Your marketing plan has to be the guide for what you’re doing with your business, whether that’s joining the Chamber, a networking group, a business association, or advertising. If you don’t have a plan, you should.

Call Inspired 2 Design to schedule an appointment.