In this time when mortgage loans are slowing down, so is your income.  I found that when I started my business that I really enjoyed marketing.  Consequently, I am always looking for ways to market and increase my business and income.

In my particular circumstance, I took a self-study Identity Theft Risk Management^TM course from ICFE, the Institute for Consumer and Financial Education (http://www.financial-education-icfe.org/) and became a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist.  The ICFE also has self-study certification courses for Credit Report Reviewer^TM, and Credit Score Manager^TM.

In putting my "package" together, I created a Power Point presentation with handouts, wrote a script, and ordered a case of identity theft flyers from the FTC (Federal Trade Commission).  To market the program I added a new page to my website, created and mailed flyers to my clients, and changed my business cards to include on the back the FTC ID Theft logo with an invitation to schedule an on-site Identity Theft Seminar, the name of my website identity theft page, and my name as being a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist^TM.

The number one factor in my marketing technique is to always remain visible.  To do this I've created a logo and tagline, both which are now registered trademarks.  They are included in every piece of advertising, literature, and mailing that I put out.  But, another way to remain visible is to appear before the public.  Although I charge businesses to present my seminar on Identity Theft, I am also offering it free to the public.  I put an ad in the local paper the day before the event, I mass emailed the local Chamber of Commerce of which I am a member, posted flyers in local store windows, and left a stack of flyers for the taking at my church.  I have a disclosure at the bottom of the posters and flyers that the seminar is given for education purposes only, and that there will be no promoting or soliciting of products or services.  However, the copies of the Power Point presentation all have the name of my company at the bottom and reference my website.  The flyers from the FTC are all stamped on the back with my company name, tagline, website, and phone numbers.  Visibility, visibility, and more visibility!  It works!

You too can increase your business by using value-added services.  I chose Identity Theft because I feel very strongly about the subject and want to share it with others.  I suggest choosing a service that you believe in and can be passionate about.  By doing so, you will come across as credible and feel comfortable at the same time.