5 Strong Marketing Strategies in a Weak Economy

Here are some great strategies for a weak economy:

When the economy stinks, people start looking for ways to increase
value – that means pay less for more.  So, understanding what specific
value you provide to which customers is critical.  There are two ways
to do that: Research and Educate.

1. Optimize your web presence. Almost everyone has a web site – but
   most web sites are taking up space and doing NOTHING to get and keep
   customers.  Set up a meeting with some search engine experts in your
   area and get help.
2. Start a blog.  You might say that your customers don't use the
   web or read blogs – but that's only because you're not running one. 
   ESPECIALLY if your industry isn't heavy into blogging – be the first,
   educate your customers and start building share.
3. Work Referrals.  Almost every business gets at least some new business from referrals – yet nearly NONE use a systematized strategy to consistently build new customers from referrals.  Think of it this way – a good referrer is a FREE salesperson.  The love your product or service so much – that they just keep sharing the value you provide to other people.  It doesn't get any better, or cheaper for a marketing strategy.
4. Work Connections.  If you haven't done so – check out LinkedIn - and start connecting and building relationships with your connections.  Leave recommendations for customers and suppliers, answer questions in your area of interest – and use the people you know to introduce you to potential customers and clients.
5. Segment of 1.  Pick a customer that either represents so much of your business that if they left – you would be hurting — or pick a customer that isn't buying nearly as much as they could be – and develop a marketing program just for them.  It's cheaper and will yield higher profit sales because you ALREADY have them as a customer.

There you go and happy business building.