Marketing your business in a weak economy

Many local businesses feeling the pinch of higher prices in a weak economy are opting to cut back on marketing in an attempt to find some savings.

"I noticed in the beginning of the year, people were really thinking about backing off on most of their promotions," said Carol D'Agostino, whose Stevensville public-relations company Purple Cat serves nonprofit groups and small businesses. "By March, everyone started to panic because they weren't doing anything."

The economy may be sinking, but experts said to think twice before cutting marketing and getting the word out.

"Silence is not...