Comments on: Marketing in a downturn http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/10/13/marketing-in-a-downturn/ Editors from FSB magazine answer your pressing small-business questions. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:07:19 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Esteban Morales, Phoenix, AZ http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/10/13/marketing-in-a-downturn/#comment-1180 Esteban Morales, Phoenix, AZ Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:06:21 +0000 http://askfsb.wordpress.com/?p=673#comment-1180 As another small business owner, I am experiencing the same issues of finding new marketing channels, improving my usage of existing channels, and figuring out where to spend my time and money. I have started spending a lot of time establishing myself as an topical expert in areas related to my busines. I done this three ways: 1. Create a industry related blog and post daily. I make sure that I am concious of the "keywords" that Google is going to pick up in my postings, aiming to include as many as possible that will drive the type of traffic I believe will yield the best conversion rates. 2. Respond to blogs and in forums of other industry related content providers. Most blogs/forums allow you to have a signature line that will direct customers back to your site/company. Make sure that you are providing solid advice and interesting content, otherwise your potential prospects will just look at you as another forum spammer. Give out advice freely, and you will find that prospects will approach you for more information. 3. Set up a professionals morning breakfast in your area. I started a group and created a website, http://www.survive09.com to support the topics that we discuss. We avoid just swapping business opportunities, instead focusing on discussions related to how different businesses are working through this economic crisis. We leverage an online forum to exhange ideas and information outside of our monthly meetings. None of these are short-term solutions, and they all require a commitment to daily/weekly/monthly involvement. You should start seeing results of your efforts in a few months. As another small business owner, I am experiencing the same issues of finding new marketing channels, improving my usage of existing channels, and figuring out where to spend my time and money. I have started spending a lot of time establishing myself as an topical expert in areas related to my busines. I done this three ways:

1. Create a industry related blog and post daily. I make sure that I am concious of the "keywords" that Google is going to pick up in my postings, aiming to include as many as possible that will drive the type of traffic I believe will yield the best conversion rates.

2. Respond to blogs and in forums of other industry related content providers. Most blogs/forums allow you to have a signature line that will direct customers back to your site/company. Make sure that you are providing solid advice and interesting content, otherwise your potential prospects will just look at you as another forum spammer. Give out advice freely, and you will find that prospects will approach you for more information.

3. Set up a professionals morning breakfast in your area. I started a group and created a website, http://www.survive09.com to support the topics that we discuss. We avoid just swapping business opportunities, instead focusing on discussions related to how different businesses are working through this economic crisis. We leverage an online forum to exhange ideas and information outside of our monthly meetings.

None of these are short-term solutions, and they all require a commitment to daily/weekly/monthly involvement. You should start seeing results of your efforts in a few months.

]]> By: chrisperkett http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/10/13/marketing-in-a-downturn/#comment-1166 chrisperkett Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:42:55 +0000 http://askfsb.wordpress.com/?p=673#comment-1166 Learn new tricks! Depending on your customers, social media can play a huge role in affordable and effective marketing. Twitter, for example has been touted in the WSJ, BusinessWeek, Fortune and others as a new and effective way to promote brand awareness - when done correctly. Make sure you do your homework or hire a PR firm that can help you do it right. Lastly, the one thing to NOT do is cut your marketing efforts completely. For more on why, read our post on "The Unintended Long Term Consequences of Slashing Your Marketing Budget Now." http://tinyurl.com/55q3e6 Good luck and don't give up! Christine Perkett President & Founder, PerkettPR Inc. http://www.twitter.com/perkettpr Learn new tricks! Depending on your customers, social media can play a huge role in affordable and effective marketing. Twitter, for example has been touted in the WSJ, BusinessWeek, Fortune and others as a new and effective way to promote brand awareness – when done correctly.

Make sure you do your homework or hire a PR firm that can help you do it right.

Lastly, the one thing to NOT do is cut your marketing efforts completely. For more on why, read our post on "The Unintended Long Term Consequences of Slashing Your Marketing Budget Now." http://tinyurl.com/55q3e6

Good luck and don't give up!
Christine Perkett
President & Founder, PerkettPR Inc.
http://www.twitter.com/perkettpr

]]> By: Kathryn Christ, Jacksonville, Florida http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/10/13/marketing-in-a-downturn/#comment-1117 Kathryn Christ, Jacksonville, Florida Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:11:50 +0000 http://askfsb.wordpress.com/?p=673#comment-1117 AG is absolutely right. If you're not experienced in social media, now is not the time to learn. Focus on your message and time-proven marketing strategies. In this economy you have to work harder to maintain revenues, much less grow. Keep your head up, stroke current and past clients and keep seeking new ones! AG is absolutely right. If you're not experienced in social media, now is not the time to learn. Focus on your message and time-proven marketing strategies. In this economy you have to work harder to maintain revenues, much less grow. Keep your head up, stroke current and past clients and keep seeking new ones!

]]> By: Liz,Austin,TX http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/10/13/marketing-in-a-downturn/#comment-1095 Liz,Austin,TX Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:20:04 +0000 http://askfsb.wordpress.com/?p=673#comment-1095 First of all, this is the first rule to being successful in business. Debt is a liability and 1) DON'T borrow money because you will cause yourself to be a slave to the lender and they will own you. 2) Networking with websites that cater specific market niches that you are trying for. 3) Generate Podcasts and webinars via web banners and link up with other websites. 4) Chamber of commerce- great place to network with others to put out name recognition and drum up some business. 5)Newsletters are great. 6) Keep your message short and to the point. First of all, this is the first rule to being successful in business. Debt is a liability and

1) DON'T borrow money because you will cause yourself to be a slave to the lender and they will own you.
2) Networking with websites that cater specific market niches that you are trying for.
3) Generate Podcasts and webinars via web banners and link up with other websites.
4) Chamber of commerce- great place to network with others to put out name recognition and drum up some business.
5)Newsletters are great.
6) Keep your message short and to the point.

]]> By: Keith Monaghan, Portland, Oregon http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/10/13/marketing-in-a-downturn/#comment-983 Keith Monaghan, Portland, Oregon Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:31:38 +0000 http://askfsb.wordpress.com/?p=673#comment-983 Hi Ray, Here are some ideas: 1. Stir up interest on twitter by posting short, relevant entries. Maybe links to financial & mgmnt articles? 2. Host a free financial or management webinar using Yugma.com or Vyew.com. 3. Organize a free off-site finance or management class using Meetup.com or Upcoming.com <a href="" rel="nofollow">http://www.keithmonaghan.com</a> Hi Ray,

Here are some ideas:

1. Stir up interest on twitter by posting short, relevant entries. Maybe links to financial & mgmnt articles?

2. Host a free financial or management webinar using Yugma.com or Vyew.com.

3. Organize a free off-site finance or management class using Meetup.com or Upcoming.com

http://www.keithmonaghan.com

]]> By: AG, Dallas TX http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/10/13/marketing-in-a-downturn/#comment-978 AG, Dallas TX Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:33:26 +0000 http://askfsb.wordpress.com/?p=673#comment-978 Your methods for marketing (emails, newsletters, search) are still fine. It's the message that you need to focus on. From the sound of it, your services should be more relevant to struggling small businesses than ever. So your message needs to be convey that clearly, by answering this fundamental question: What's the benfit to having Capital Management Group by my side in tough economic times? If you've got a great answer to that, you've got the foundation for a solid marketing campaign that'll resonate right now. www.anonymousadguy.com. Your methods for marketing (emails, newsletters, search) are still fine. It's the message that you need to focus on.

From the sound of it, your services should be more relevant to struggling small businesses than ever. So your message needs to be convey that clearly, by answering this fundamental question:

What's the benfit to having Capital Management Group by my side in tough economic times?

If you've got a great answer to that, you've got the foundation for a solid marketing campaign that'll resonate right now.

http://www.anonymousadguy.com.

]]> By: Altima Business Solutions, LLC http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2008/10/13/marketing-in-a-downturn/#comment-974 Altima Business Solutions, LLC Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:21:16 +0000 http://askfsb.wordpress.com/?p=673#comment-974 You may want to try some social media sites (LinkedIn, Perfect Business and more). You also want to join those industries associations. One last thought, you may want to offer additional services such as factoring this can be the lead in service that will open the doors to other opportunities. Know this the business is there. You may want to try some social media sites (LinkedIn, Perfect Business and more). You also want to join those industries associations. One last thought, you may want to offer additional services such as factoring this can be the lead in service that will open the doors to other opportunities. Know this the business is there.

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