Dayton, OH –January 11, 2026 – Two local chapters of Business Network International (BNI) will join forces next month to showcase the power of collaborative referral networking during a special Joint Visitor Day in Dayton.
The Green Team chapter of BNI, based in east Dayton, and the Amplify chapter of BNI, based in Beavercreek, will host the event on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at The Galleria Event & Conference Center, 4140 Linden Ave., Dayton.
The joint meeting is designed to bring together business professionals from across the Dayton region for structured networking, relationship-building, and a firsthand look at how BNI chapters operate. Visitors will have the opportunity to connect with members from both chapters, hear success stories, and learn how referral-based networking helps local businesses grow.
“This is a unique opportunity for local business professionals to grow their network and potentially make more money by meeting a group of highly motivated individuals,” said Gery Deer, Mentor Coordinator and Chapter Director Consultant for The Green Team. “No one knows what’s going to happen in the business world over the next year and, as BNI members, we have somewhat insulated ourselves from the uncertainty by agreeing to help each other by referral marketing.” Deer and his company, GLD Communications, a marketing, public relations and media production agency, has been involved with BNI since the late 1990s.
BNI chapters typically meet weekly and limit membership to one professional per specialty, creating an environment where members actively promote one another’s businesses. By combining two chapters for this visitor day, organizers say attendees will experience a broader range of industries and referral opportunities than at a single-chapter meeting.
The event is scheduled in conjunction with International Networking Week ™, intended to encourage professional networking and referral partnerships as the strongest ways to grow and maintain any business. Other events are planned during the week, including a Referral Marketing and Networking Master Class, scheduled later the same day at Dayton’s Entrepreneurs’ Center at The Hub in the Dayton Arcade.
“This joint visitor day highlights what can happen when chapters work together,” said Nikki Gates, Area Director of BNI Miami Valley Region. “It’s about expanding networks, strengthening relationships, and demonstrating how collaboration benefits the entire local business community.”
The event is open to professionals from all industries who are interested in growing their businesses through referrals and long-term professional relationships. Guests will observe a structured BNI meeting, participate in introductions, and engage with established members from both The Green Team and Amplify chapters.
The Galleria Event & Conference Center, centrally located in Dayton, provides a convenient venue for professionals from east Dayton, Beavercreek, and surrounding communities.
For business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking to expand their referral networks, the joint visitor day offers an opportunity to experience the combined energy and reach of two active BNI chapters working together. For more information visit www.bnimiamivalley.com and click on “events.”
After years of contraction and store closures, Barnes & Noble in is writing a new chapter in its history. The nation’s largest bookseller has announced plans to open more than 60 new stores in 2026, a striking vote of confidence in brick-and-mortar retail and a clear sign that printed materials are enjoying a cultural comeback.
Barnes & Noble has announced it will open more than 60 new stores around the country. One of the most recent open in November in Hamilton, Ohio.
Once viewed as a casualty of e-commerce and e-readers, Barnes & Noble has steadily regained its footing under CEO James Daunt, who has emphasized locally curated stores, knowledgeable booksellers and community engagement. The company now operates roughly 600 locations nationwide and reports strong performance at recently opened stores.
“We’ve seen a real resurgence in interest in physical bookstores,” Daunt has said in recent interviews. “Readers want places that feel human again — where they can browse, discover and spend time. A bookstore should be a cultural space, not just a transaction.”
Industry analysts say the expansion reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior. After years of constant connectivity, many Americans are experiencing digital fatigue — exhaustion from endless screen time, notifications and scrolling. Printed books offer an antidote: no alerts, no blue light and a more immersive reading experience.
“People are deliberately stepping away from screens,” said Dr. Laura Mitchell, a media and consumer-behavior analyst. “Books provide focus and calm in a way digital content doesn’t. There’s something grounding about holding a physical object and engaging with it on your own terms.”
Younger readers are also fueling the trend. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok’s influential #BookTok community, have driven bestseller lists and encouraged a new generation to buy — and collect — physical books. Rather than replacing print, digital platforms are now helping revive it.
The expansion is expected to have a noticeable impact in Ohio, where Barnes & Noble has already opened new locations in recent years and is widely expected to continue growing its footprint. Ohio’s mix of suburban growth, college towns and strong library and reading culture makes it fertile ground for bookstores that double as community gathering places.
While independent bookstores remain cautious about competition, many observers note that Barnes & Noble’s new model relies less on uniformity and more on regional identity, allowing stores to tailor selections and events to local tastes.
For an industry once declared obsolete, the message is clear: the printed page still matters. As Barnes & Noble prepares to open dozens of new stores, it is betting that readers are ready to turn down the screen — and turn the page instead.
(Shared with our partners at the Xenia Daily Gazette)
At Jamestown Café, customers are greeted by a welcoming smile, the smell of fresh coffee, baked treats, and comfort food, and an atmosphere that feels more like a home kitchen than a café. Behind the counter, the staff moves easily from customer to customer, greeting familiar faces and making newcomers feel just as welcome.
Along the wall, people linger over sandwiches, bakery items, ice cream, and specialty drinks, with photos and relics from more than two centuries of Jamestown’s history hanging just above their heads. The café opened in September, and the space feels new, but familiar — warm, relaxed and comfortable, like a place you’ve been invited to stay a while.
This is no ordinary coffee shop, and that feeling didn’t come from a design book or a business plan. It came from the heart, and figuring things out the hard way. Ashley Mannier is not what you’d expect when you picture a café owner — and neither is the path that led her to opening Jamestown Café. But the place, the people, and the story all seem like they were ripped from the script of a Hallmark movie.
When she bought the building, at 9 W. Washington St., Mannier didn’t know how to run a coffee shop. Years earlier, she hadn’t known how to remodel a house either. She was a single mom putting herself through college and barely scraping by financially. “I wasn’t living paycheck to paycheck,” she says. “It was more like paycheck to Wednesday.”
Mannier took advantage of an Obama-era first-time homebuyer tax credit and was approved for a mortgage to buy a foreclosure, despite having little construction or remodeling experience, and with much of her family living overseas. So, she did what a lot of people do when they don’t know where to start: she went to YouTube. “I always joke that I graduated from YouTube University,” Mannier said.
That self-taught education—watching videos, learning by trial and error, and not being afraid to make mistakes—would later prove essential when she decided to turn an aging, long-vacant building on Washington Street into a place where the community could gather. Because for Mannier, the Jamestown Café was never just about coffee. It was about building something real, one lesson at a time, and it started with her family.
Built around 1900, the structure had lived several lives over the years — a shoe store, a tanning and nail salon, and other businesses — before sitting empty and neglected for far too long.
Relics and photos from Jamestown’s history, donated by local residents, hang in frames along the wall.
Inside, nearly everything needed attention. There was leaky, corroded plumbing, outdated electrical wiring, and damage from water and mold. It was the kind of project that can quickly overwhelm even experienced renovators. Mannier, however, wasn’t doing it on her own.
“It’s very expensive to do this kind of work,” she said. “I’m the oldest of ten kids, so I recruited my family to help out, and everyone had their role.” One brother helped with the architectural planning, while her brother-in-law and father built the café counter. “We did it all together.”
With help from village officials, neighboring business owners, her family, and the community, Mannier worked her way through the maze of permits, demolition, construction, and final occupancy. Even with that support, there were moments when the project felt overwhelming.
The challenges extended outside as well. “We rebuilt the entire front of the building,” Mannier said. “We jacked up the main beam and ripped everything out to put in new joists.”
Many of the café’s furnishings came from materials Mannier had collected over the years, often without knowing exactly how or where they would be used. Over time, those pieces found their place. “I’d had this front door for a while and didn’t know what to do with it,” she said. “But here, it’s perfect.”
Before and after renovation photos of the cafe’s building at 9 W. Washington St.
Today, the brickwork and large front windows give the building a classic small-town look. The updates bring it squarely into the present while still honoring its past, much like the café itself. For longtime residents who remember the building in its earlier lives, the transformation is almost hard to believe. Their first reactions tend to be wide-eyed, followed by a slow smile.
Jamestown Café’s warmth isn’t just from a hot cup of coffee; it radiates from the crew behind the counter – including Kearra, Sarah, and Abbey – a group of employees who clearly enjoy being there. Their energy fills the space, turning a renovated building into something more than a café: a place that feels alive.
Jamestown Café Staff (L to R) Owner, Ashley Mannier, Kearra Anthony, Sarah Davidson, and Abbey Yates.
Nineteen-year-old Kearra Anthony was somewhat surprised when her parents decided to move from Jeffersonville to Jamestown, but she came with them.
“One of my friends got a job here first, and I’ve always wanted to work at a coffee shop,” Anthony said. “Ashley was up on a ladder tiling and gave me an interview.” She said the job is a perfect fit for her because, “I like people and I like being around people.”
Sarah Davidson, 31, is a stay-at-home parent who was looking for a flexible, part-time work option. The café was ideal: a woman-owned small business with a flexible schedule and a real sense of family.
Mannier told Davidson she was hiring some younger women and needed a “mom figure.” Davidson was sold. “I bring the mother energy, and I love it,” Davidson said, who is also the master blender behind all the café’s tea selections.
Abbey Yates is 19 and lives in Jamestown. “In May, I emancipated from foster care and moved into an apartment, and I was looking for employment,” Yates said. “I was walking downtown and noticed someone working inside and asked if they were hiring.” But it took a little more than that before she was brought aboard. “Abbey asked me for a job three different times,” Mannier said, smiling. “I’m so glad I hired her; she’s one of our best workers.”
Each of the women lights up when they talk about their work and Mannier. They exude such excitement and pride that it is apparent they have found a sense of purpose and family with Mannier and the café.
Speaking of family, it wasn’t just the men in Mannier’s family who contributed to the business. Her mother, Jackie, plays a significant role in this endeavor too – she’s the café’s official baker. “A mother of ten, my mom was a little nervous to start this,” Mannier said. “But she’d been cooking for the masses for years, and her best skill is being a giving person.”
Abbey Yates has become known as the “Panini Slinger” at Jamestown Café.
Mannier said her mom came to her and offered to help, and is now an invaluable part of the team. “She does all of the baked goods, and she’s always trying to come up with something new every week,” she said. “Fudge, cookies, muffins, cinnamon rolls – she does all of it and spends a lot of time researching all of it. And she loves being part of something bigger than herself. This place is glued together by what she’s doing, and it wouldn’t exist if she weren’t willing to be a part of it. I couldn’t do it without her.”
And the rest of the menu? That didn’t happen until a couple of weeks before they opened. From the outset, the concept was to keep it simple: café fare with homemade flair. At first, Mannier and her staff were learning the ropes together, how to use the equipment, which drinks to offer, and the best way to make them. But they’ve hit the old standards too – recently introducing a morning biscuits and gravy recipe that regularly sells out.
Public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. First fueled by curiosity, the café is gaining a regular following and great reviews. “When we first opened, people were really excited,” Yates said. “There weren’t really like good sitting places, and now there are people who are coming in every day, we get to know them.”
What’s next for Jamestown Café? According to Mannier, more of the same, keeping with her original vision. “We have space in the back, and we’re going to put a patio area back there,” she explained. “And I want to continue to work more with other downtown building owners and local businesses to keep doing more to bring people down here.”
Right from the beginning, Mannier envisioned Jamestown Café to be all about offering her community a routine, a third place. It has become exactly that, and it’s run by Jamestown residents who believe their customers are much more than just a coffee order. They’re family.
For more information visit the shop. Check out their Facebook page for regular posts on hours and specials.
Gallery – Photos by Gery Deer (unless otherwise noted)
Front facade framing after demolition. (photo provided by A. Mannier)Interior of the cafe building looking forward to W. Washington St. – Before renovation. (Photo provided by A. Mannier)Before renovations. (Photo provided by A Mannier)Merchandise. Photo by Gery DeerCoffees, teas, mugs. Photo by Gery DeerSpecialty items. Photo by Gery Deer Mugs Photo by Gery DeerBakery and fudge counter. Photo by Gery Deer
Xenia, OH – The Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce held its November Business After Hours gathering on Wednesday, November 12, at the City of Xenia offices, 107 E. Main Street. The evening event brought together local business leaders, city officials, and community members for networking, refreshments, and a look at the future of downtown Xenia. Many guests even had the opportunity to experience some off-the-cuff sleight of hand by local magician, Dave Davis.
Guests were treated to food, door prizes, and an informative program highlighting current and upcoming city projects. A centerpiece of the discussion was the Xenia Market District Development Project, the ambitious redevelopment of the former Xenia Towne Square Shopping Center. A rolling video display showed some of the plans and progress of the project currently underway.
Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Donna Saraga, addresses the business after-hours attendees before turning the floor over to City Manager Brent Merriman.
The project’s concept draws inspiration from the townscapes of small, historic Ohio villages. Plans call for updated streetscapes, inviting public spaces, and a vibrant mix of retail, dining, and residential opportunities. The goal is to create a lively, walkable district that reflects Xenia’s heritage – including a memorial commemorating the 1974 tornado – while positioning the city for future growth.
After an official welcome and announcements by Chamber Director Donna Saraga, Xenia City Manager Brent Merriman briefly addressed attendees, noting disappointment at the failure of the recent street project tax levy, while stressing the vibrance and importance of the market district project and business community for economic vitality.
“Xenia is a hot place to do business, there’s a lot happening,” Merriman said. “We have a lot of new housing and neighborhoods coming online, new retail coming online, and we’re very excited with the progress of the market district downtown, where vertical construction has begun in several areas of the project.”
The evening offered business leaders a chance to connect while learning how city initiatives will shape the local economy. Chamber representatives noted that events like Business After Hours strengthen ties between the public and private sectors, ensuring that Xenia’s growth is both collaborative and community driven.
With food, fellowship, and forward-looking plans on the table, the November gathering underscored the Chamber’s role as a hub for conversation and progress in Xenia. For information about the next after-hours event, and other upcoming programs, including a new monthly speaker series, visit the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce’s website at http://www.xacc.com.
XENIA — On Wednesday, October 15, the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce will host a timely and practical lunch and learn workshop titled Organizational Marketing in the 21st Century, aimed at helping service clubs, nonprofits, and small businesses attract new members, customers, and volunteers. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Chamber’s conference room, located at 334 W. Market Street. Admission is $15 and includes lunch.
Leading the session is Gery L. Deer, founder and creative director of GLD Communications in Jamestown, who brings decades of experience in public relations, media production, and strategic messaging. Deer will share actionable insights on how organizations can modernize their outreach, refine their messaging, and better connect with younger audiences and potential volunteers.
“Too many organizations rely on outdated methods that no longer resonate,” Deer said. “This workshop is about helping groups like Rotary and Kiwanis, as well as small businesses and not-for-profit groups, evolve their approach—because when you speak the language of your audience, you invite them into your mission.”
Participants will learn how to identify and communicate their organization’s unique value, leverage low and no-cost marketing tools, and determine when and where to invest in paid outreach. For service clubs and nonprofits facing dwindling membership and board vacancies, the workshop offers a fresh perspective on building community engagement and sustaining growth. Whether you’re a club leader, nonprofit director, or small business owner, this event promises practical strategies you can implement immediately.
Attendees are invited to use the rear entrance and enjoy a complimentary taco bar lunch beginning promptly at 11:30 a.m., with the presentation starting at noon. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. For more information, contact the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce at 937-372-3591, or visit www.xacc.com.
Editor: The Jamestown Comet / Creative Director: GLD Communications
In the past year, small business owners have increasingly shifted their marketing focus toward referral partnerships—and for good reason.
Digital fatigue is turning customers away from their screens.
As digital advertising costs climb and consumer trust in traditional media wanes, referral-based strategies have emerged as a high-impact, cost-efficient alternative. For businesses seeking sustainable growth and deeper community engagement, referral partnerships offer a compelling return on investment (ROI) that outpaces many conventional marketing channels.
GLD Communications, a strategic communications firm based in southwest Ohio, has been at the forefront of helping small businesses harness the power of referral marketing. Through customized branding strategies, community outreach campaigns, and digital visibility audits, GLD equips entrepreneurs with the tools to build meaningful partnerships that drive measurable results.
Here are six key reasons why referral partnerships have become a go-to strategy for small business owners in the last year:
1. Higher Conversion Rates from Trusted Sources
Referred leads are significantly more likely to convert than those acquired through paid advertising or cold outreach. According to Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust recommendations from people they know over any other form of advertising. This trust translates into action: referred customers are four times more likely to make a purchase.
For small businesses, this means that a well-structured referral program—whether through customer incentives or strategic B2B alliances—can dramatically increase conversion rates without the need for aggressive ad spend.
2. Lower Customer Acquisition Costs
Referral partnerships offer a leaner path to customer acquisition. Unlike paid media campaigns that require ongoing investment, referrals often come at a fraction of the cost. A study by the Wharton School of Business found that referred customers cost less to acquire and are more profitable over time.
GLD Communications helps businesses identify and nurture referral channels that align with their brand values, reducing acquisition costs while enhancing customer quality.
3. Improved Customer Lifetime Value
Referred customers don’t just convert—they stick around. Research shows that they have a 25–31% higher lifetime value compared to non-referred customers. They’re more loyal, more engaged, and more likely to become brand advocates themselves.
This long-term value is especially critical for service-based businesses, subscription models, and family-owned enterprises that rely on repeat business and word-of-mouth reputation.
4. Stronger Community and Brand Advocacy
Referral partnerships naturally foster community engagement. Whether it’s a local business collaborating with a nonprofit or a service provider teaming up with complementary vendors, these relationships build trust and visibility within shared networks.
GLD Communications specializes in crafting community-oriented narratives that elevate brand advocacy. Their storytelling approach—often blending emotional depth with factual reporting—helps businesses connect with audiences on a human level, turning customers into ambassadors.
5. Better Measurability and ROI Tracking
Modern referral tools have made it easier than ever to track performance. Platforms like ReferralCandy, Yotpo, and HubSpot offer automated tracking, CRM integration, and analytics dashboards that allow business owners to monitor key metrics such as referral conversion rate, cost per acquisition, and net promoter score.
GLD Communications supports clients in selecting and implementing these tools, ensuring that referral efforts are not only strategic but also data-driven.
6. Adaptability to Privacy and Ad Fatigue Trends
With increasing restrictions on third-party cookies and growing consumer fatigue around digital ads, referral marketing offers a privacy-friendly alternative. It relies on first-party data and authentic relationships, making it more resilient to changes in the digital landscape.
As part of its digital marketing services, GLD Communications advises businesses on how to pivot toward trust-based strategies that align with evolving consumer expectations and regulatory standards.
Building a Referral Strategy That Works
Referral partnerships aren’t just about asking customers to “spread the word.” They require intentional planning, clear incentives, and consistent follow-through. GLD Communications recommends starting with the following steps:
Identify natural referral partners: Look for businesses or individuals who share your audience but don’t compete directly.
Create a compelling offer: Whether it’s a discount, exclusive access, or a charitable tie-in, make the referral worthwhile.
Track and optimize: Use referral software or manual tracking to monitor performance and adjust as needed.
Tell your story: Use branded content, testimonials, and community features to reinforce the value of your partnerships.
For small business owners ready to elevate their marketing ROI, referral partnerships offer a path that’s not only cost-effective but also deeply rooted in trust and community. With the guidance of firms like GLD Communications, these strategies transform informal word-of-mouth accidents into powerful engines of growth.
Dayton, Ohio – The Davis Linden Building, an historic landmark located at 400 Linden Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, has long been a beacon for creative professionals seeking customized commercial spaces. Owned by Matt Dieringer of Dieringer Development, the facility continues to thrive and expand, offering a nurturing environment for artists, businesses, sculptors, photographers, and other creative professionals.
Over the years, the facility has seen good times and bad. But Matt Dieringer’s vision for the Davis Linden Building has been, and will continue to be, one of growth and community. “We are committed to provide spaces that not only meet the unique needs of our tenants but also foster a sense of belonging and collaboration,” says Dieringer. This commitment is evident in the building’s diverse range of tenants, each contributing to a vibrant and supportive community.
One of the most notable tenants is Michael Bashaw, a musician and sculptor who has located his studio in the Davis Linden Building since the 1980s. Bashaw’s long-term presence is a testament to the building’s ability to provide a stable and inspiring environment for creative professionals. “My grandfather was a tenant in the building in the 1950s, so I was well aware of it,” says Bashaw. “I was originally looking for a space where I could work on my sculpture and do music rehearsals. I’m very grateful and very fortunate to be here.”
“I’m on year two and have already outgrown one space,” says tenant Tiffany Lewis, owner of Immortelle Bijouterie, an era-inspired jewelry and clothing shop. “I love the atmosphere here – the big windows, the open concept, and that there are other artists here.”
Becca Brumfield, the building’s office manager, shared her view as both a tenant and employee. She described The Davis Linden Building as a center of creativity, business, and community. Her husband, Trevor, operates one of Ohio’s last full-service typewriter repair and sales shops, TB Writers Plus, located in the building since 2023.
The dedication of the Davis Linden Building’s management to promote a sense of community among its tenants is one of its defining features. This collaborative spirit is what sets the facility apart from other commercial spaces. In that spirit, the management will soon unveil “The C2 Initiative,” based on the idea of Creativity and Commerce. The initiative is intended to expand on that sense of community with memberships, access to shared creative space, and much more.
As Dieringer Development continues to invest in the growth and development of the Davis Linden Building, the future looks bright for this creative hub. With its commitment to providing customized spaces and fostering a strong sense of community, the Davis Linden Building will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of Dayton’s creative scene for years to come.
For more information about the Davis Linden Building and its available spaces, visit their website, www.davislindenbuilding.com/, or call 937-498-8635.
The Davis Linden Building is located in the Huffman Manufacturing District of East Dayton.
XENIA — The Greene County FISH Pantry hosted the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce after-hours event Wednesday.
The monthly networking program offered participants an opportunity to learn more about the food pantry’s mission and meet Mike Reeves, the new executive Director and operations manager.
After-Hours visitors were given tours of the pantry facility and its newest addition, a food storage warehouse they call “the barn.”
Each month, the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce presents the event at different member locations throughout the city. The after-hours event allows other chamber members, residents, and civic leaders to learn more about the host organization and their contributions to the region.
Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce President Donna Saraga opened the event by introducing Reeves and sharing why they chose to have the event at the pantry.
“We know many people have never been in the building or haven’t been for a long time, and we thought it was a great opportunity to learn more about the facility and meet Mike,” Saraga said.
Discussion topics included the continuing need for food security in Greene County through food and monetary contributions from residents and businesses. Members of the board of directors and the executive director provided guests with tours of the facility, including the newly constructed food storage warehouse, recently named in honor of the previous executive director of the pantry, Gail Matson.
Reeves provided some history about the pantry and the facility, then spoke of the people involved with the organization such as their clients and volunteers.
“It absolutely warms your heart to see these people, and the volunteers are what makes this place work,” Reeves said. “I really appreciate everyone coming to see the building and learn more about what we do, and thanks to Donna and the Xenia Chamber for having this here today.”
He also noted that the pantry serves more than 100 clients during each day’s distribution, up to 90 on those days reserved for veterans and active military service families. More information on the Greene County FISH Pantry is available online at http://www. gcfp.org.
The next Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce After Hours will be on June 11, hosted at Toward Independence in Xenia.
For more information about the chamber, visit its website at xacc.org, and for more information on the FISH pantry, visit its website at gcfp.org.
Have you ever been afraid for your job? I laugh when people think I can’t lose my job since I work for myself. As a writer, even working under my public relations agency, I’m often called “self-employed.” The immediate assumption is that no one can fire you.
There’s a lot of nonsense to unpack there. First, and possibly most important, there’s no such thing as self-employed. Unless you have a magical chest of gold or cash that continuously refills itself, you’re working for somebody who’s paying you. Being independently employed (my preferred terminology) means you’ve traded one boss for many (customers).
Second, working on your own means constantly beating the bushes, knocking on doors, and continuously selling yourself to generate a pipeline of work. My father and brother created multiple, simultaneous jobs for themselves because they never wanted to be out of work—and they never were.
My family seemed to always have multiple income streams—cattle, trucking, engine work, welding, anything that brought a buck. However small the amount of revenue, it added up. Mom and Dad ran the farm and our trucking business, and I always knew my family worked hard for what we had. No two days were alike. Dad might be out on one of our trucks or auctioning cattle one day. The next, he and my brother might be rebuilding a tractor engine and welding a broken hay rake—all before dinner.
Over the years, I adopted the same philosophy, but I wasn’t always independently employed. Once upon a time, I worked for “the man,” and the woman, and the corporate overlords, and whatever else they’re called. From engineering technician and mechanical designer to database developer and coder, I did the 8-to-5 grind for many years before going out on my own.
Writers in every industry are rapidly becoming an endangered species due to Artificial Intelligence.
Since much of what I did in the corporate arena was high-tech, the advanced skills required evolved rapidly. I constantly studied the latest technologies to avoid obsolescence. I’ve always been fascinated by computers, but keeping up with advances in computer technology during the 1990s was exhausting.
If that wasn’t enough to worry about, no matter my job, I always felt like something would ruin it. Someone would take it away from me or decide I wasn’t qualified, and that’d be that. I really did know what I was doing. But I suffered from terrible imposter syndrome. Then, one day, that was enough. I walked away.
Life as an independent professional can be tough, especially if you’re used to a steady paycheck and punching out at 5. At least no one ever gets fired, right? Wrong.
There’s a quote from the TV show “Mad Men” that goes, “The day you sign a client is the day you start losing them.” It means that every customer will eventually leave you—your fault, their fault, nobody’s fault. It’s just part of the process. So, when that happens, you are effectively fired. Depending on how many customers you have, that’s how many times you will be fired.
Despite the romanticization, self-employment is hard work and a bit like riding a bike. If you stop pedaling, you fall. You must exceed customer expectations the first time, or those firings I mentioned start sooner. Is that more secure than a corporate job? In many ways, yes. Let me explain.
If I am a “free agent,” I can play in whatever league I want. However, I only get to set some of the rules. I usually have to work within the guidelines of my profession or the client’s needs. One thing is sure, however. If I do my best, treat people with respect, and give them good value for their money, the work will continue.
That doesn’t mean I don’t worry about my job. I do, but for very different reasons. One is automation. Artificial intelligence, or AI, threatens the livelihood of writers in every industry, and what it generates is, at best, inadequate.
Another concern is that my skills will be devalued by a market flooded with amateurs and dabblers. These people produce inferior work, disparaging the profession and limiting potential business for the pros.
Ultimately, no one’s job is bulletproof—not even mine. Always demonstrate your best work. That will show your value, and you’ll stay employed – somewhere. In the meantime, try to remember that there’s always another job.
In conjunction with International Networking Week, GLD Communications has scheduled a Referral Marketing Master Class at The Hub in the Dayton Arcade, 31 South Main Street, Dayton, OH 45402, on Wednesday, February 7th,11:30 AM until 1:00 PM. The class typically costs more than $250, but this session has been specially priced at just $40 per person.
Presented by GLD Communications’s founder and creative director, Gery Deer, the 90-minute lunch-and-learn session includes techniques for identifying and developing referral partnerships. Pre-registration is required. Seats sell out quickly. Register at gldcommunications.com.
GLD Communications Creative Director, Gery Deer, will present the class.
Deer started GLD Communications in 1997 as a part-time job. Today, it is an old-school public relations firm with media production and content distribution all under one roof. The company provides newswire stories, documentary-styled film productions, podcasting, reputation and crisis management, and copywriting services. This master class is part of the agency’s business success coaching services.
Deer said people rarely learn to turn passive networking into proactive referral partnerships. It requires strategy, time, and commitment. He also noted that most people confuse networking with referral marketing when they are symbiotic.
“People mistakenly interchange the words networking’ and referral marketing, but the two have a causal relationship,” said Deer. “This master class explains how strategic networking is just the beginning and provides the opportunity for Referral Marketing partnerships that can generate revenue for years.”
An award-winning writer and creative director, Deer has navigated many changes in his business over the years. “We have withstood recession, lagging sales, and staffing issues,” he said. “I built and maintained our public relations media agency on referrals, but it was a massive learning curve. I wish someone had a class like this back when I started.”
Deer said the course also offers insight into leveraging your current networking opportunities to identify potential referral partners. He will also cover the various networking organizations ranging from service clubs like Rotary to professional referral organizations, specifically Business Networking International (BNI). Nikki Gates, Managing Director of the Miami Valley Ohio Region of BNI, will also be in attendance to offer information on her organization’s growth in the Dayton market.
Event parking is not included but is available at Reibold Parking, 25W W. 5th St., Dayton, 45422. For more information and a direct link to register, visit www.gldcommunications.com.
The Jamestown Comet 