Greetings from the PPSO Board of Directors,

Spring is finally here, and with that, hopefully, more business for us all. Although 2005 has been slow for most, many are forecasting a great year! Here are a few tips to help you earn more market share:

1) Even though having a staff id costly, be sure to have someone in person answer your phone at all times you are open. Most people surveyed don't like talking to answering machines and voice mail.

2) Direct mail......it's expensive to do it, but it works. You can buy names from companies.

3) Follow up, if you have ever mailed or quoted prices to people, be sure to call later and follow up to see if the customer has any questions.

This upcoming month of May, we are pleased to present Darrell Moll. Darrell is a Master Photographer and has addressed our group a few years ago. Darrell is also the Secretary to PPO and CPP Commissioner for 2005-2006. Darrell will be presenting his program on Copyrights and Wrongs.

PPSO has been blessed with a lot of visitors and potential members. We are growing and still going strong. The board of directors has been busy planning a great educational year.

Start cleaning out your closets and camera bags, the annual PPSO Auction will be on July 11 at my home in Xenia. This will replace our regular meeting for July. More details to follow in The Focus Newsletter.

We hope to see all of you at our May meeting on Monday, May 2 at Chantrell's.

Wes Smith
PPSO President 2005