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YourHub.com \\ Vero Beach \\ Stories \\ Sound Off \\ General Sound Off

Is FREE a Four-Letter Word?

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Contributed by: Bret Hoskins on 8/8/2008

If you buy gas and groceries or if you own
a business, chances are you're feeling squeezed
by the economy. I know I am. So why should a word
like 'FREE' be treated as an expletive? Please
allow me to explain.

A little over a year ago, I created a website to
help business owners promote their products and
services for free, and to provide valuable free
information to Indian River County residents and
visitors alike. VeroBeachBusinessDirectory.com is
a growing collection of daily updated news, sports,
weather, movie times for both movie theaters, videos,
apartment finder, employment finder, a community
forum to share your opinion, pictures and maps of
local parks and beaches, an event calendar, where
to find the cheapest gas in town, and much more.
All of this information is provided a free service
to the Indian River County area.

So imagine my surprise when I contacted all of the
local TV, newspaper and radio stations to ask that they mention my
site as a public service announcement (PSA). All of
my emails, hand-written letters, and voicemail messages
went unanswered. The answer seems obvious: if the media
can't profit from it then it isn't worth their time.

Maybe you can help me change their minds.

You see, YourHub.com states that articles with enough
good ratings could be published in the newspaper. If enough
readers determine this article, and ultimately,
VeroBeachBusinessDirectory.com, are valuable, they will
publish it.

So I ask you, the reader, to kindly rate this article
worthy of printing.

Will you help me change the notion that free is a four-letter word?

Thank you.

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Showing 1-6 of 6 comments

Submitted By: Darcie Alcott

posted on 8/14/2008 @ 6:30:50 AM

Rated Story

The VeroInfo.com and VeroBeachBusinessDirectory.com are invaluable resources. The community information provided is the most current, complete and broadest available in one place and at no cost. The economic benefit to local businesses, service providers, and consumers alike is immeasurable. Supporting this website is supporting Vero Beach. Thanks so much for this excellent free service. Five Big Stars!

[Report as objectionable]

Submitted By: Reindert Van Norren

posted on 8/13/2008 @ 10:03:44 PM

(Not Rated)

Good article - keep up the good work.

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Submitted By: Louise Wake

posted on 8/13/2008 @ 10:38:19 AM

Rated Story

I too am surprised that more people do not take advantage of a community resource like the VeroBeachBusinessDirectory.com. I have VBBD listed in my favorites and use it to look up movie times, local business or to catch up on the local news during my lunch. Great job Bret!

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Submitted By: Connie Spicer

posted on 8/13/2008 @ 10:15:43 AM

Rated Story

Frankly, I'm amazed at the number of small businesses that don't take the time to find out what free resources there are for advertising in general. Pity, Bret. Personally, with the outrageous costs of print ads, I just can't justify the expense. Free is Good. Expense is Bad. Thus, VeroBeachBusinessDirectory.com is very, very good! Keep up the great work. I'm glad you're out there!

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Submitted By: Rosi Stubbs

posted on 8/13/2008 @ 9:37:29 AM

(Not Rated)

This website is wonderful. Easy to use and when you need help they are right there to help! Thank you for being FREE and easy to use. Your professional, pleasant attitute is such a great thing!

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Submitted By: Ed Shanaphy

posted on 8/11/2008 @ 6:00:28 AM

Rated Story

Hi Bret! Thanks for the discussion. I have too started a small business here at Get Fit At Home - Vero Beach Fitness see and it's impossible to get a press release printed! I wholeheartedly agree!

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Showing 1-6 of 6 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Bret Hoskins

Vero Beach , FL

Bret Hoskins has posted 7 stories and 0 comments since joining on 5/23/2007. Bret Hoskins 's average story rating is 5.

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