With the 2012 Freelance Exchange Portfolio Showcase quickly approaching, it’s time to dust off those networking skills and prepare to meet and greet other freelancers and prospective clients.

Join us at the Brio Tuscan Grille for a wonderful meal and gain first-hand pointers to get the most from your Portfolio Showcase experience – whether you’re exhibiting or just planning to attend – along with networking tips you can use any time when meeting prospects.

All luncheon attendees will receive a free desktop business card holder, perfect for your table at Showcase. Plus, drop your business card in the bowl for a chance to win a leather business card holder for purse or pocket.

Friday, April 27

Brio Tuscan Grille

In case you missed it…

On Friday, March 30, around 25 attendees engaged our panel of speakers (Ken Miner with FrontFlip, Justin Meyer with KCI Airport, and Joe Cox from Barkley) who shared their first-hand experiences about customer engagement and social media. They also shared some great tips and reminders to ensure your social media presence is positive and grows your brand, such as converting listening into action.

Salute Spring – Sangria Style!

Join your fellow FXers at La Bodega in Leawood at our April Happy Hour. Sip on some sangria as you network with your peers and welcome spring with half-price tapas until 6:00 p.m.

Don’t forget to bring your questions about the upcoming Portfolio Showcase on May 4 – we’ll have a sample portfolio on display and board members will be on hand to provide answers.

Both members and non-members are welcome.

See you there!

FX of KC Happy Hour
Thursday April 12
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

La Bodega
4311 West 119th St.
Leawood, KS 66209
www.labodegakc.com

Marketing doesn’t stop at the door

Businesses spend time and marketing dollars to get customers in the door. Then what? What are you doing with that customer once they respond to your message?

Join us at Lucky Brewgrille where a panel of Kansas City customer engagement specialists will discuss how to move beyond marketing to total customer engagement. Joe Cox, Director of Social Media for Barkley, Justin Meyer with KCI Airport, and Ken Miner, Director of National Accounts for FrontFlip will show us ways in which they use social media once the customer is “in the door” to build relationships and grow loyalty.

Friday, March 30
11:30 am to 1:15 pm
Check-in is at 11:30; lunch will be served at noon

Lucky Brewgrille
5401 Johnson Drive, Mission KS
913-408-8571
www.luckybrewgrille.com

Cost: $20 Members, $30 Nonmembers

Please pay online to guarantee your reservation. Print out your receipt and bring it with you so your reservation can be confirmed at the door. Do not respond to this email to make your reservation. Selecting “attend” on the Facebook event does not guarantee you a seat. Please register on the FX website.

Space is limited, so to ensure your seat, please make sure and register NO LATER than the deadline. Late reservations may not be able to be accommodated. Walk-ins the day of cannot be accommodated.

RSVP and Pay ONLINE by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 27.

Space is limited, so to ensure your space, please make sure and REGISTER NO LATER than the deadline. Late registrations may not be able to be accommodated. Walk-ins the day of cannot be accommodated.

Choose one entrée with your registration:

Heavenly Pasta (Vegetarian)
Sautéed tomatoes, basil, garlic, and artichokes tossed in olive oil topped with goat cheese served with garlic bread.

Cobb Salad
Grilled chicken breast rubbed with BBQ seasoning atop mixed greens topped with grilled red onions, fresh tomatoes, hardboiled eggs, avocado, bleu cheese crumbles, and served with balsamic vinaigrette.

BBQ Chicken Wrap
A grilled chicken breast, slathered with bourbon barbecue sauce, a cheese blend, smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion and a barbecue ranch dressing wrapped up in a flour tortilla. Choice of Fries: American Fries, Sweet Potato or Steak Fries; if no choice is indicated, American Fries will be ordered.

Lucky Burger
Our traditional burger with lettuce, tomatoes, and onion served on a fresh baked bun. Choice of Cheese: American, Swiss, Cheddar or Monterey Jack; if no choice is indicated, American Cheese will be ordered. Choice of Fries: American, Sweet Potato or Steak Fries; if no choice is indicated, American Fries will be ordered.

All entrées include choice of soft drink, coffee, or tea.

Because FX has to pay for all lunches ordered, no-shows WILL be billed.

Questions? E-mail programs@kcfreelanceexchange.com.

In case you missed it…

On Friday, February 24, Jeff Green fielded questions on tax preparation. Some of the insightful tips included-keep separate checking accounts for your business and personal uses, mileage needs to be documented (and there is an app for that), and you must spend seven hours a week in a home office to claim that dedicated space.

2012-13 FX Membership Directory Advertising

Do you cut the red or green wire? Don’t blow up your business by not advertising your services advertise in our 2012 Freelance Exchange of Kansas City Membership Directory! Not only will every Freelance Exchange member see your ad, but so will countless ad agencies, corporations, and vendors. In fact, we print over 800 copies to be personally hand-delivered, direct mailed, and distributed at our club and industry networking events including the Portfolio Showcase in May. The clock is ticking…

BONUS:
Act now and get a FREE website banner ad for up to a year on the FX website!

If you purchase:

Quarter Page Directory Ad
$60 (2.125” x 2”) -  3 month banner ad FREE!

Half Page Directory Ad
$125 (4.5” x 3.75”) -  6 month banner ad FREE!

Full Page Directory Ad
$240 (4.5” x 7.5”) – 12 month banner ad FREE!

Current Freelance Exchange members receive 25% off ALL ad rates.

NEW – Full Page Color TAB Directory Ad – only 6 available, reserve yours now!
add $100 (4.5” x 7.5”) includes FREE 12 month banner ad. 25% FX member discount not applicable.

Directory ad signup deadline extended to Friday, March 30

Note: Website banner ads are 120×240 pixels and must be JPEG or GIF, RGB at 72 ppi.

To ensure your spot download and submit the form along with your check by 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 30. If you have any questions, please contact our Sponsorships Director Matt Nichols at sponsorships@kcfreelanceexchange.com

Grab your friends and be part of an Olympic event!

Join The Freelance Exchange and other KC marketing clubs for Bar Olympics! The festivities will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Kelly’s Westport Inn. Play games like Pop-A-Shot, darts, and flip cup, or just kick back with an adult beverage and socialize with your fellow marketing professionals from The Freelance Exchange, AMA, PRSA, Media Mix, Social Media Club of KC, and Freelancers University. There will be some great drink specials, and admission is free to those who want to network and watch the games. A $5.00 donation to the Special Olympics is required to participate in the games.

All proceeds will be donated to the Special Olympics.

Bar Olympics
Thursday, March 1
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: free to attend, $5 to participate in events

Kelly’s Westport Inn
500 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO 64111

As tax time draws near, are you pulling out your shoebox full of receipts, hoping you have everything the government needs? Don’t just cross your fingers and wait with dread for the April 15 deadline – get prepared, instead!

Join us at Johnny Cascone’s Italian Restaurant on February 24 and get input from a tax person who understands the freelance industry! Jeff Green, CPA, will share his wisdom and handy tips to help you prepare for your taxes, plus answer any questions you may have. He has over 12 years of public accounting, auditing, and tax experience, specializing in working with individual and small businesses.

Friday, February 24

Johnny Cascone’s Italian Restaurant

In case you missed it…

If you were unable to join us in January, DoJuan Hobson with the USPS shared an innovative new economical program that will help you or your clients reach your target audience. Please visit their website to view a webinar explaining the Every Door program, www.uspseverydoor.com. Click on the Small Business Webinar button under the video options on the Retail page..

Building Business While Raising a Glass

How to move from sharing drinks to promoting your business at FX events.

We all know that Freelance Exchange events are a great reason to get out of your freelance office, see some industry peers, and maybe share the most recent highs and lows of your business. But, there’s more to these events than just socializing with friends.

Did you realize that Freelance Exchange events can help you build your business?

Join us at The Granfalloon Restaurant & Bar before the February Happy Hour begins to get more details on using The Freelance Exchange as a business-building tool. We’ll cover:

• Why networking your business with other freelancers is beneficial to you, and some tips to make it easier.
• Why the ICE Awards and Portfolio Showcase events matter to your business, and how to get involved.
• How to get the most out of attending the monthly luncheons.
• How to find freelancers you want to work with or add to your referral network.

Come early, learn some valuable tips, then stay for the Happy Hour and put them to good use!

FX of KC Happy Hour
Wednesday, February 8

The Granfalloon Restaurant & Bar

Branches closing, postage changes… what’s a business to do?

Worried what the upcoming changes to the United States Postal Service (USPS) will mean for you and your clients? Looking for a more cost-effective way to send direct mail for your clients? Wondering how to make your home office more productive using USPS small business services?

With the new year upon us and new postage rates taking effect, it’s time to evaluate how we use the USPS and find ways to maximize this tool to benefit our clients and our own businesses.

Join us at Lucky Brewgrille where DoJuan Hobson, Business Development Specialist with the USPS will discuss these recent changes and offer detailed information, including handouts, to help you work smarter in 2012.

Friday, January 27
Lucky Brewgrille

In case you missed it…

On Friday, November 18th, we had a packed house at Cupini’s for a great meal and defense of “Tangible Marketing” otherwise known as print collateral. One surprising fact we learned – the 18-24 year old market prefers to receive something they can touch and feel. There were also great samples along with networking opportunities before and after the presentation.

Kick back at The Foundry

Join us in Westport for our first happy hour of the New Year! We’ll be hanging out in the upstairs loft at The Foundry, an urban-cool beer bar. Kick back with one of McCoy’s handcrafted ales, a chic cocktail, or a tasty “beer bite” off the happy hour menu. Got some new business resolutions to share? The monthly happy hour is a great way to get your business in the spotlight, so talk yourself up – and don’t forget to bring business cards!

Both members and non-members are welcome.

FX Happy Hour
Thursday, January 12
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The Foundry
424 Westport Road
Kansas City, MO

With everyone caught up in the brilliance of the digital age and the glamorous social media world, we often forget about print and its long history in marketing. During our digital affair, print has steadfastly stood in the background, and now it is making a solid comeback as a cost-effective, tangible marketing medium.

On November 18, we will hear from two industry aficionados on what is recharging the printing world. Clifton Alexander of REACTOR Design Studio and Carol Hoffman from Appleton Paper will explain the how and why behind print’s resurgence and show ways that print can be a truly effective channel for your marketing message.

Friday, November 18
Cupini’s

In case you missed it…

On Friday, October 28, Lisa Qualls from Fresh ID spoke about using integrated social media channels to grow revenue, including a few case studies of this in action for John Deere and Sporting KC.