According to TNS Media Intelligence, Internet marketing spending should grow by 13.4% in 2008. But strikingly, the research also confirms that the total marketing dollars spent on the Internet represents only 7.2% of the total amount spent on all U.S. advertising. The total US advertising budget is expected to hit $153.7 billion.

Here I am sitting at a Starbucks Coffee shop in Coppell, TX having a Grande French Roast with a small amount of milk and a few grains of sugar after a successful client presentation for new business.

It seems strange to lead with such a headline. Yet some of my clients expect me to get sales results for them with platitudes.

Traveling to Europe or other foreign lands serves as a benchmark for just how well American businesses do in the area of customer service. Customer convenience is the main focus for longterm customer retention in this service-driven economy.

After nearly 25 years of selling consulting services, it surprises me to find so many clients that have no idea about whether or not they are paying appropriate fees.

Freelancers, consultants and small direct marketing agencies can make the difference between success and failure for multi-million dollar businesses. But you would never know it by the way prospects and clients sometimes treat us.

Business to business lead generation strategies continue to evolve. The Internet plays an increasing role in building interest and qualifying prospects

I grew up in the direct marketing world starting with advertising agencies then moving over to the client side where success depended upon proper application of the discipline

As most of you know by now, I have worked for, managed and even established direct marketing divisions for general advertising agencies over the years. And if you have also worked for or with agencies, you probably share my love/hate relationship with them.