Mr. Marketing to Show Biz Owners Way Out of Economic Mess

The economy may be bad, but business can be good as long as people know how to use the right tools to market their companies.

So says Mr. Marketing—the "man in the hat" also known as Rob Weinberg—who is set to be the guest speaker at the Rancho Bernardo Business Association's latest luncheon seminar titled "Marketing Yourself Out of This Mess."

"One of the things that I've learned is that if you don't market it, you can't sell it," said Weinberg, who has worked in marketing for decades and offers free advice on his website.

The RBBA's Brown Bag Luncheon featuring Weinberg is scheduled from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 11 at the in Rancho Bernardo. Each luncheon—free for RBBA members and $10 for others—focuses on a different business topic, with attendees bringing their own lunch or ordering lunch for $10.

While attendees eat, Weinberg will dish out "practical nuts and bolts information" about reaching customers during an economic climate that has some business owners working harder but not making more.

"She's working 40 percent harder today than she was four years ago hopefully to make the same money," Weinberg said of a business owner he recently talked to. "I think there are a lot of us who are dealing with that. That's the mess that we're in."

Social media—Facebook, Twitter, etc.—will be part of the presentation, but so will traditional methods of marketing such as direct mail, sales promotion and pay-per-click advertising.

"What I'm trying to do with this presentation is straddle those worlds and show people you can make all of these tools work for you without spending a ton of money," Weinberg said.

Mr. Marketing said his 20-30 minute talk will show people who to reach millions of potential customers for $1,000. He also will be available for questions afterward, he said. 

To RSVP for the luncheon, including placing a lunch order, contact April at 858-451-3406 or by emailing april@RBBusinessAssociation.com by Friday.

The lunch menu:

-Turkey and Provolone served on sourdough with lettuce and tomato. 

-Ham and Swiss served on sourdough with lettuce and tomato Roast Beef and Provolone served on sourdough with lettuce and tomato. 

-Mixed field greens tossed with candied walnuts,  crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, and balsamic vinaigrette.

These items will include a whole fruit, chips and a cookie.