Marketing Advice For Times Like These
A friend asked a good question that is very pertinent in today’s economy: “How do you position your marketing in a recession?” I have some opinions, based upon real world experiences that might be helpful:
Make sure you focus on customer service and retention FIRST.
*To create raving fans you need to prove that you care about your customers. If you do that, when you go to them and ask for additional business, referrals and testimonials, they will be more than happy to help. I would say that far too many companies, even in this economy, assume that their customers will stick with them. Don’t assume. Actions speak volumes over words.
*Do something unexpected for your best customers. Send them a card, coupon or email. Better yet, pick up the handset in the box with the buttons and call to simply say “thanks.” You’ll likely be surprised by the reaction. They will be stunned.
Sell Value and Change Positioning
*People are looking for deals. How you position them will have a major impact on results. You need to sell VALUE to succeed in these tough times, so do it.
*With increased economic pressure comes anxiety. Understand this. Doing so means relying less on emotional creative approaches and more on logical, rational creative executions. Use more numbers, facts, data and the like to appeal to the left brain with your marketing. Watch what happens to results.
Finally, test, test and test some more. It will get you to relevancy faster than anything else. If you read this blog on a semi-regular basis you are likely sick of hearing this. But now is when you can truly gain market share, goodwill and sales. It’s no mistake that two of the companies who are doing well now test a ton: Amazon and Netflix. This should be a lesson to all who think that testing is too expensive, don’t have the time or think that their marketing is doing fine without it.
My experience helping companies market through several recessions prove that these tips work. Try them out. Let me know how you do.
