I have several clients that are in the housing industry (brokers, title company, movers and remodelers) that are still pursuing their marketing efforts in this dismal economy. I have to give them a lot of credit because they still are positive and they continue to advertise/market their business.

Unfortunately, they are like artists. It usually is the last place that you look to buy (or spend money on). I know because I have two studio partners that are artists. One is a young kid (Terrance is 37) that is very positive and gets his name out in places that others would not have the energy to invest. A couple of months ago he was featured in Art Collector's magazine (http://www.americanartcollector.com/issues.php?issue=47#1666). I have to give him a lot of credit he has gotten into a couple of galleries across the US and has put together strategic relationships with an interior designer and a contractor. He is hungry and he finds that he has to take some risks. But with all that he is staying afloat.

I guess the moral of the story is that you don't have to dump a life savings into marketing but you do have to be creative (do what your competitors aren't doing).