I am in a small town out in the middle of the desert, only 30,000 population in my county, 150-175 miles from the big cities. There are only four lenders in my community. The two that have local control over appraisers will not hire me because I am too "conservative". The other two have to have their appraisals ordered by the main office in a big city miles away--who back me on every appraisal I complete for them. So--my marketing strategy is getting listed on every FREE internet list I can find, membership in the Chamber of Commerce and the yellow pages (both provide additional internet presence). As a result I completed work for over 100 different clients last year from all over the country and have been busier since I came "home" than I was in Phoenix, the 7th largest city in the country. So I think the internet is the way to go!! People are shopping the internet when they finance or refinance now days. Also because of the country wide client base I have developed, I get referrals from a lender on the east coast to a lender on the west coast who then refers me to a lender in the midwest--and around and around the referrals go! And with that many clients, I can be as grouchy and grumpy as I want to be. I will be 66 next month and I have decided that is how I will slow down--I will yell at every lender who even remotely asks for comp checks, created sales, go out of area to "make value", etc, etc. Send them copies of USPAP, Fannie Mae Guidelines, appraisal board decisision, etc to back up my tirade.