Cornell University is located in the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York... Ithaca, to be exact. I've worked with Cornell through my roles with Pipeline 4 Progress and We Live NY, and I love that they embrace their location. 

Too many colleges in the northeast try to ignore the long drives and snowy winters that could potentially deter students; Cornell sees their location in the southern tier as a market differentiator. They tell candidates that they're "centrally isolated." It means there isn't much in the immediate vicinity, but that a 4-hour drive could take you to several world-class cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Albany, and more. If you're looking to get away from those busy hubs without leaving the east coast - or even the northeast - Cornell is the place for you.

In the marketing business, there's a tendency to ignore market differentiators and try to be know-it-all's. I used to offer graphic design, logo development, media relations, branding campaigns, video production, and photography. Now, I offer web design and inbound marketing. I still have those other skills, but they're all focused around a more centralized service. If I'm working with a client who has more specialized needs (i.e. a well-produced, HD YouTube video), I can turn to my creative partners who have also become more focused.

If you're spinning your wheels and not getting the projects you want, consider whether you're accurately representing your strengths. Are your services "centrally isolated," or are you trying to be in the middle of everything and losing yourself (and your potential clients)?