8 Positive Strategies for Surviving The Recession
1| Be Proactive, NOT Reactive – Successful businesses have a written set of plans: business goals, business strategies and marketing plans. Being reactive in this market is a recipe for disaster. Take time TODAY to develop your marketing plan. Think, research then define Who your target client is, Where your target client lives, Why they want to buy your product or service it and How to reach them in the most cost effective way. You should not do any marketing until you have your plan in place.
2| Be Visible – While most business cut back on marketing and advertising, successful businesses maintain regular contact with prospects and customers. It has been proven over and over again through every recession this country has seen that the companies that continue their advertising and marketing efforts have always dominated the market once the economy turns around. But this does not mean to spend without thinking, the successful business will…
3| Be Selective – Now is the time to carefully and painstakingly review every dollar you are spending on advertising and marketing. Successful business owners view marketing as an investment rather than an expense – meaning it has to be trackable, measurable and accountable.
4| Be a “Good News” Merchant – As sick and tired you are about the current state of the economy so are your clients and prospects. Instead of talking, thinking and projecting bad news, instead look for good news. Be a positive force in your clients lives. Have a positive attitude. Stayaway from the Internet and the news for a while. Instead read books on success, autobiographies of successful people, faith and spirituality. BOTTOM LINE: Fill your mind with healthy thoughts, NOT destructive ones.
5| Be Creative – Successful businesses stay ontop of the most effective way of reaching and communicating with their prospects. What worked last year isn't necessarily going to work today. In today's economic climate you've got to look for strategies and tactics that are going to solidify your relationships with your existing clients and use them to get more (referrals).
6| Be a Value Seller, NOT a Price Seller – Now more than ever, lowering prices can put you out of business faster than anything else. Too many companies today are lowering their prices rather than coming up with ways of adding value. Lowering prices to get more business is lazy and desperate. Get creative, talk with your team, mentors, friends about how you could add more value to what you're selling so you can protect your profit margins.
7| Be Open to Getting Help – The most successful business owners are the ones who know their own limits and invest money to educate themselves in the areas where they're weak. Consider working with a coach or a mentor, people who have the experience of growing business even when times are tough.
8| Get Some FREE Help – There are lots of sources of free help. In fact, the publishers of this magazine have made a number of resources available to its clients at absolutely NO COST or OBLIGATION go to www.THMToolBox.com.com. You can also contact your local chamber, search the web, or go to the greatest free resource available… the public library. Craig Garcia is a marketing strategist, consultant and coach helping entrepreneurs grow their sales and profits using effective marketing and business development strategies. He specializes in the home improvement industry. He's owned 2 Lead Generation Companies and is here at TheHomeMag to help you with all your home improvement leads. Give us a call at (949) 478-3908 to start getting the help you deserve.
8 Positive Strategies for Surviving The Recession
1| Be Proactive, NOT Reactive – Successful businesses have a written set of plans: business goals, business strategies and marketing plans. Being reactive in this market is a recipe for disaster. Take time TODAY to develop your marketing plan. Think, research then define Who your target client is, Where your target client lives, Why they want to buy your product or service it and How to reach them in the most cost effective way. You should not do any marketing until you have your plan in place.
2| Be Visible – While most business cut back on marketing and advertising, successful businesses maintain regular contact with prospects and customers. It has been proven over and over again through every recession this country has seen that the companies that continue their advertising and marketing efforts have always dominated the market once the economy turns around. But this does not mean to spend without thinking, the successful business will…
3| Be Selective – Now is the time to carefully and painstakingly review every dollar you are spending on advertising and marketing. Successful business owners view marketing as an investment rather than an expense – meaning it has to be trackable, measurable and accountable.
4| Be a “Good News” Merchant – As sick and tired you are about the current state of the economy so are your clients and prospects. Instead of talking, thinking and projecting bad news, instead look for good news. Be a positive force in your clients lives. Have a positive attitude. Stayaway from the Internet and the news for a while. Instead read books on success, autobiographies of successful people, faith and spirituality. BOTTOM LINE: Fill your mind with healthy thoughts, NOT destructive ones.
5| Be Creative – Successful businesses stay ontop of the most effective way of reaching and communicating with their prospects. What worked last year isn’t necessarily going to work today. In today’s economic climate you’ve got to look for strategies and tactics that are going to solidify your relationships with your existing clients and use them to get more (referrals).
6| Be a Value Seller, NOT a Price Seller – Now more than ever, lowering prices can put you out of business faster than anything else. Too many companies today are lowering their prices rather than coming up with ways of adding value. Lowering prices to get more business is lazy and desperate. Get creative, talk with your team, mentors, friends about how you could add more value to what you’re selling so you can protect your profit margins.
7| Be Open to Getting Help – The most successful business owners are the ones who know their own limits and invest money to educate themselves in the areas where they’re weak. Consider working with a coach or a mentor, people who have the experience of growing business even when times are tough.
8| Get Some FREE Help – There are lots of sources of free help. In fact, the publishers of this magazine have made a number of resources available to its clients at absolutely NO COST or OBLIGATION go to www.HomeImprovementSuccess.com. You can also contact your local chamber, search the web, or go to the greatest free resource available… the public library. Brian Kaskavalciyan is a marketing strategist, consultant and coach helping entrepreneurs grow their sales and profits using effective marketing and business development strategies. He specializes in the home improvement industry. He’s owned 4 home improvement companies. One of them he developed from scratch into a national franchise company. His company is g|Four and can be reached at 888-215-4268 or www.gFourMarketing.com.