As a small business
owner, given the current economic conditions, you may be
quite surprised to discover what small business owners
did last month.
Some surveys say that small
businesses are actually creating jobs while folks in corporate
America are actually losing jobs. The many reports out there
are often conflicting and confusing. Although what affects
corporate America doesn't necessarily affect small business, small business owners remain
worried about the present and the future. No doubt we're in
tough economic times. So what's a small business owner to do?
Well first, recognize that people are spending money every single
day. Someone is always spending money. Businesses are
still making money and people are still buying from them. Here
are some helpful suggestions to consider to be sure you're one of
the businesses people are continuing to buy from:
Change your mindset: In a state of panic, you are
unlikely to take positive, creative, innovate actions in your
business. There's the saying that says "Action stops fear."
What actions can you take today to move your business forward vs
becoming paralyzed by fear.
Have a plan: To continue to attract clients
and customers, you must have some sort of marketing plan.
Unfortunately a whole lot of small business owners (maybe most!)
have no specific marketing plan. So in tough times, they feel
even more at a loss for what action to take. Sit down and
write out at least a dozen ways in which you can market your
business. Then take action.... on all of them..... every week.
Resist the urge to cut back: Where there are
economic concerns, small business owners often want to retreat and
stash the cash. It may seem like common sense to do so but
marketing is like the gas for your business engine. To bring
customers in, you must continue to market your business. Do
the opposite and you run the risk of worsening your situation.
But it need not be costly marketing. Things like public
speaking, teleclass marketing, joint venturing, networking, etc. are low to no cost.
Listen and create something new: If customers and
client aren't spending as much, listen to the specific reasons why.
Then create a new offering to respond to the changing needs.
Be clear about the benefits: If you're just
advertising "services" prospects and clients are unlikely to
respond. But when you focus on the actual benefits and
outcomes from working with you, they are much more likely to invest.
And while you're at it, try over-delivering. Increase your
value to clients and customers.
