Don't Get Lost in the Storm

When times get tough it’s a common mistake for businesses to drastically reduce their advertising presence. The following is a list of Top 5 reasons to maintain or increase your advertising during this period.

1. To say "I’m Open"
   If you don’t continue to advertise, consumers will believe you have become a victim of the economic downturn and have gone away. Your phone will stop ringing.
   
   
2. Don’t Lose Sales
   If you don’t continue to advertise, where will your future customers go?
   
   
3. Increase Your Customer Base
   Simply look at the local publication to see that the playing field has diminished. This provides a great opportunity to increase your exposure and market share.



4. Confidence & Integrity
   During tough times, confidence in your business is contagious. Consumers want to deal with a business that acts postively and has an outlook that says "we'll endure the storm." The opposite is true, too. Act negatively and your whole company will adopt that attitude and help drive your customers away.
   


5. Long-Term Strategy
   The business owner who endures during these tough times will have the opportunity to enjoy a larger marketshare when the economy improves. The potential for growth is much higher for those who continue marketing than those who hold back and wait for the economy to recover.
   

Next month's blog, called "Marketing, Schmarketing", reviews some of the internal challenges a business can face which can undermine the success of a business.