Free 'How To' Workbook on Internet Marketing Available from SCORE Association and Verizon Information Services

Washington, D.C. -- The SCORE Association and Verizon Information Services have joined together to offer small businesses a free, practical guide to e-mail marketing, Web identity and Web site development and promotion. This workbook, entitled How To Really Market on the Internet, is part of a national alliance between SCORE and Verizon to offer educational resources on Internet marketing to small businesses nationwide.

By 2003, up to 80 million users will be accessing the Web, according to eMarketer, a leading Internet research firm. This is a significant audience and a significant marketplace for small businesses. However, taking those first steps to establish an online business presence can be daunting.

"Small businesses should be able to use the Internet as a viable business marketing and customer service tool," said Ken Yancey, CEO, SCORE. "Together SCORE and Verizon are bringing entrepreneurs practical knowledge they can turn into action, so America's small businesses can successfully market on the Internet."

Internet marketing involves managing e-mail marketing, registering a Web domain name, and developing and promoting a Web site. The workbook covers these topics and provides tips on choosing an ISP, deciding whether to hire a Web developer vs. a do-it-yourself approach and making key decisions for Web site goal-setting. The workbook also features a strategy checklist for determining "Where's Your Online Business Headed?"

"Our strategic partnership with SCORE will help small businesses harness the most powerful sales and marketing tools available--the Internet and the World Wide Web," said Kathy Harless, president, Verizon Information Services. How to Really Market on the Internet uses clear explanations and real-life examples to teach readers how to employ these tools."

"SCORE and Verizon Information Services are good community partners. Together, we are reaching out to entrepreneurs with the Internet Learning Tutor, a free online interactive training series geared toward consumers and small businesses (www.SuperPages.com/ilt) and the How To Really Market on the Internet workbook along with more tools to help entrepreneurs succeed in business and succeed doing business online," said Yancey.

Free copies of the workbook are available at any of the 389 SCORE chapters nationwide, call 1-800-634-0245 to find a SCORE office near you. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to use the workbooks during SCORE business counseling to help them plan for business success with the added value of real-world business advice from SCORE counselors.

About Verizon Information Services and SuperPages.com

Verizon Information Services is the world's leading print and online directory publisher, a content provider for communications products and services, and the largest publisher of Hispanic directories in the U.S. With operations in 16 countries and annual revenues of more than $4.3 billion, Verizon Information Services publishes nearly 1,200 U.S. Verizon SuperPages directories and 400 international directories with a total circulation of approximately 150 million copies worldwide.

Based in the Dallas area, Verizon Information Services produces and markets SuperPages.com, the Internet's #1 online directory and shopping resource. SuperPages.com receives as many as 13 million visits and 9 million unique visitors a month and powers directory services on MSN, InfoSpace, AltaVista, Excite, Lycos, Ask Jeeves, HotBot, BigFoot, Tripod and Angelfire as well as more than 2,500 affiliate Web sites.

The company supports computer literacy with philanthropic programs and through the Enlighten Me and Internet Learning Tutor sites on SuperPages.com. Enlighten Me is a fun site where children and their caregivers go to read, learn and explore. The Internet Learning Tutor is specifically designed for adults who are just learning their way around the Internet.

Verizon Information Services is a unit of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Through its signature Verizon Reads program and the Verizon Literacy Network, Verizon is leading the fight to increase U.S. literacy levels by creating community and corporate awareness, raising funds, encouraging collaboration among literacy providers and engaging employees in supporting literacy programs.

About SCORE

The SCORE Association was formed in 1964. SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. For information about starting or operating a small business, call SCORE for the chapter nearest you. More than 10,500 volunteer members provide individual counseling and business workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. SCORE has assisted nearly 4.5 million Americans with small business counseling. Visit SCORE on the Web at www.score.org.

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