Your Knowledge is Golden
You have a knowledge that is very specialized and others would like to have. That is your marketing edge. I know that the economy is not doing well right now. This is not the time to shut things down, or pull back. This is the time to get your message out there. Here is what I suggest you do.
Shameless Plug
Get the book Blogging For Pros. Learn how to set up a blog on your website, and then learn how to use it.
Build Up Your Reputation
Now is the time to build up your reputation as an expert. If your business is slow, this is the time to get your information out there. Don’t chase after business (I know it is tempting but try not to). Instead begin to pull people to you. By giving away free information that is very useful to your future customers, and kind of obvious to you, you will begin to get customers to believe in you. Using a blog on your website is free. The information is priceless. The value is huge.
Interact with your Customers
So no one is buying, and people are doing projects on their own. That is OK. Whether you offer a product or a service we all have to endure the times. So while you are waiting out this recession interact with your customers. Give them advice, run a free seminar, blog and ask questions that will induce an answer or even more questions. This is another pull marketing tactic. You are getting customers to not only trust you, but to rely on you for important information.
Have Fun
Have fun with your future customers. I think that the biggest thing that is going to come out of this recession is the fact that people are going to be even more jaded toward corporations. So don’t be one. Be yourself. Be your small business. Be personable and when people are ready to spend money again they will come to you because they trust you.
The key in this economy is to pull people toward your business. Sure money is tight, but we can do this with little or no money at all, it just takes time. When people have the confidence and the money to spend again they will be ready to come to you for your services.
