Marketing Ideas to face Recession

[3dmagicaldesigns]

Every person involved in business at any part of the world watches everydays stories about the recession, how recession is hurting industries, etc. Being a small company I have noticed how difficult is has become to get a project. I am aware there are billion internet users but also there are millions of Web Development providers, Crisis and internet user expansion have terrible consequences such as cost decrease ( the amount of qualified and individual competitors is growing every single day at an unprecedented rate)

Being a Web Developer I can notice how we are losing our share in the market.

That's when the words like "recession" "crisis" scare many people. I can't say it doesn't scare me or doesn't affect me, of course it does but also I've always thought that crisis is a time for opportunities, therefore, questions like:

*what marketing strategies am I using?
Keep using the ones that have brought good results but think about new ones and research over the internet about new experiences, tips, etc. I know it is difficult to sacrifice some time with your family but hey.. it's your business, you need to stay on top of your competition.

*what fresh ideas do I need to think about? crazy and out of the box ideas, who would have thought facebook would become a big internet gorilla?

*what is my competition doing right now?
Don't be afraid to see what they are doing, I am sure that if you have successful strategy, many people will follow it.


*what will bring me more cash?
SEO? ppc campaigns? email marketing campaigns? Social Media? satisfied clients? word of mouth? low costs vs production increasing?

Make yourself this question: Is your website at risk? the answer is: Of course, if you stop competing you will lose your piece of the cake and when you notice it you will just have the crumbs.

My other tip is to compare the prices of the competition, research your market, see if your services or products prices are over/below your competition, offer as much affordable added value as possible ( i.e. support, free hosting, SE submissions, etc, as much added value as possible will make a client think about your price and the service offered, I am sure it will help to reduce the risk

So, my last words in this post: Crisis: opportunity= more work and creative marketing ideas and efforts. I am sure it will to reduce the risk and help your business to stay afloat in this recession or any upcoming.

[MattE]

yes value-adding is vital. Maintaining or incresing price while increasing value is paramount.

[3dmagicaldesigns]

well.. I think it is better to have an average price and as much added value as possible, a happy client will bring you more!

[Dcrux]

Uh, these aren't recession ideas. They basically pre-recession ideas with the word recession pasted into the subject line.

Recession idea number one. Find out anyone who isn't already perfectly well aware of what ideas they're using and what's available and Fire them. They're a threat to your business.

The janitor who doesn't know mops ...not so much. Marketing people either know, right now, or they don't. Recessions aren't the place for on-the-job training of the people who are vital for keeping your business alive during One Of The Worst Downturns in Decades.

In recessions crazy ideas get people fired, merely for suggesting them. More important than thinking outside the box is understanding recession mentality. That's unusual on a whole 'nother level. Whole segments of your customer based are in the process of shifting buying behaviors.

Many analysts see these behavior changes as permanent.

The crazy idea for these times is gaining a better understanding of your customer's psychology. Mainly because most people would rather chew off a leg than find out anything new about a web site user or customer.

Improve your content. For example, end trite, generic forum posts. Instead provide critical insights about Recession based marketing.

[3dmagicaldesigns]

Dear Dcrux


I think your point of view is very protectionist, so, does it mean that in recession times people can't think about new ways to have a good marketshare? should we avoid new strategies according to your comment?

New clients is a very difficult market niche these days, people is afraid to invest no matter if it is a very small project or a very small idea, so does it mean you can't think about new strategies to conquer these clients?

I really like your post, I think you have a strong point of view but I have mine too.

Thanks a lot for your comment

[Dcrux]

should we avoid new strategies according to your comment?

Not exactly. My post clearly acknowledges the market has changed, which would imply new strategies are in order.

However, the strategies which work best are going to come from a keen understanding of your customers. How customers are changing in a new, turbulent economy. Not a crazy "creative" idea.

We've been there. Done that. Again. ...And again ...and again.

Crazy ideas on the web are old, trite, and so usually not all that crazy. Crazy for the sake of crazy is, well, rather common but wrong thinking.

On the web, the crazy idea is know your customer. Better. When the vast majority are technology obsessed, buzzword compliant, and otherwise not very interested in observing the user or testing how sane it is to be so focussed on creativity at any cost.

When you're trying to determine crazy, it's usually some deviation from the norm. Often such a deviation, people think there's something wrong with you. A textbook definition.

If you're not testing ...then crazy is starting to do user testing as a deviation from the norm.

Sorry if that doesn't have the PR buzz or panache of officially sanctioned, inbred thinking about "crazy ideas." Ever roll your eyes when corporate uses the phrase "thinking outside the box," because the very next thing suggested will be totally inside the box?

So posting banal obviousness which isn't in dispute would seem to run counter to the both the spirit and the letter of the concept.

[pragmatic]

Thanks for forwarding these useful tips. But one marketing strategy proved good for one product may not be as good for another.

[3dmagicaldesigns]

Originally Posted by pragmatic

one marketing strategy proved good for one product may not be as good for another.

I totally agree with you, strategies must change according to the type of business, it is not the same to promote a local barber shop than to promote an international consulting our outsourcing company.

[Rod Abbotson]

In a recession people will manage and create their own websites without our help..thus cutting out the middle man...hosting services are cheap..what we need to do is offer quality solution to convince potential customers that they still need a third party to do things for them..its not rocket science! Creativity is the only answer to stay on board and still be floating when the upturn comes.

R

[ronchalice]

Originally Posted by Dcrux

In recessions crazy ideas get people fired, merely for suggesting them.

This may be true. But it is also historically accurate that many of those fired for 'crazy ideas' end up at the top of the game when an ever-cyclical economy bounces back.

The most frightening part of a recession is those who devolve back into "anything that makes a buck is okay" Neanderthals. A collapse of ethics and accountability propelled the most recent debacles, and will certainly result in tactics that will delay widespread recovery.

[crankydave]

Interesting topic.

By trade, I'm in an industry (one of them) being decimated by the economy.

Not so sure that "crazy" was neccessarily the best word to use. "Unique" might be a better way to phrase it.

Value added services etc. don't neccessarily need to be free. They need to add value and if it's something not readily available elsewhere... You know what I mean.

#1 in my book remains customer service. Provide the best, and then make it better.

Dave

[Tubby]

The temptation is to always focus on what we ourselves want, sometimes I think this is a little backward.

The secret is to find what users want. . This is not actually hard.
Users always want what they want for nothing (close as they can get)
users always want it easy.
users always want the best.
users like recognition.
like to feel important.
like to be part of a special community
users want numerous things

Knowing what users want is easy. the pathway to the solution arrives when we have worked out how to give to them exactly what they want.

The solution arrives when we figure out how to monetise that pathway.

It always seems to me that we (webmasters etc) always start at the wrong end, we look for methods to monetise an empty space, (empty of people - web site) - In reality we should disregard any form of monetising from our thoughts. and create a full site (full of people)

Do this and we are cooking with gas! NOW we can now ponder how to get a few cents (or dollars) from each visitor.

[3dmagicaldesigns]

Originally Posted by Rod Abbotson

Creativity is the only answer to stay on board and still be floating when the upturn comes.

Short sentence but very significative, I agree 100% with you, and a lot of patience.

[MtraX]

Work smarter and remember the 80/20 rules. Fire that 80% of clients who are just wasting your time and not really bringing in enough cash and focus on greatly improved service and turnaround times for your important clients. I agree with the simple fact, if you know what your clients' current needs are, shape your offering around those needs and with good service you will have a happy client for a long time.

[astro]

Originally Posted by Tubby

The temptation is to always focus on what we ourselves want, sometimes I think this is a little backward.

The secret is to find what users want. . This is not actually hard.
Users always want what they want for nothing (close as they can get)
users always want it easy.
users always want the best.
users like recognition.
like to feel important.
like to be part of a special community
users want numerous things

Knowing what users want is easy. the pathway to the solution arrives when we have worked out how to give to them exactly what they want.

The solution arrives when we figure out how to monetise that pathway.

It always seems to me that we (webmasters etc) always start at the wrong end, we look for methods to monetise an empty space, (empty of people - web site) - In reality we should disregard any form of monetising from our thoughts. and create a full site (full of people)

Do this and we are cooking with gas! NOW we can now ponder how to get a few cents (or dollars) from each visitor.

Yes! I like it! Must have a background in sales and marketing! It takes a Guy , no doubt in an out of the way location in the middle nowhere in OZ to talk a bit of sense!

Why sack people who you have invested time and money in developing? You may as well throw money out of the window. If employees are stupid what does that make you because you are paying them? Are you an investor in business or an investor in people? In the days when it mattered to me I used to say to staff, we got problems, now go away and and think, then bring me a list of possible solutions.......or are you part of the problem we have here? I never restricted thoughts or ideas or worried people that if their ideas were a touch off the wall their job was at risk.

My business is up this year over 20% on this time last year! To tell the truth I am not sure why!!!!!!

By the way guys we are not in a recession, we are in a depression. There is a difference!

/Astro

[NJ]

My experience is that getting out there and interacting with people is the best way to "recession-proof" your business. Teach a web development/SEO class at a local adult learning center (the folks who take those are often business owners.) Join your local Chamber of Commerce or Downtown Merchants Association or art museum. Go to their functions and talk to people (not pushy sales, just making contacts.) Be enthusiastic about your work and folks will call!

[cw1865]

Not that you shouldn't be looking at the cost side of things at all times, but recessions are a perfect time to truly analyze your business' costs and to trim any fat.

Another opportunity is to look at actually expanding by acquisition. It may seem paradoxical, but what you could be looking for is an acquisition that can 'fit' into your current business thus reducing the fixed costs for both businesses, now under one umbrella. Look for acquisitions that offer complementary products/services selling to a different customer base.

[pragmatic]

There are many practices that are being followed by SEO experts but the best thing is to change the strategies frequently because the competitors trace and follow the working track.

[crankydave]

Originally Posted by cw1865

Not that you shouldn't be looking at the cost side of things at all times, but recessions are a perfect time to truly analyze your business' costs and to trim any fat.

Another opportunity is to look at actually expanding by acquisition. It may seem paradoxical, but what you could be looking for is an acquisition that can 'fit' into your current business thus reducing the fixed costs for both businesses, now under one umbrella. Look for acquisitions that offer complementary products/services selling to a different customer base.

Excellent point Craig.

Many companies look hard at expanding their base during soft times. When practical, a good time to do is on a downturn. Not that unlike adding to ones stock positions when the stock is down.

Dave

[LD]

Originally Posted by MtraX

Work smarter and remember the 80/20 rules. Fire that 80% of clients who are just wasting your time and not really bringing in enough cash and focus on greatly improved service and turnaround times for your important clients. I agree with the simple fact, if you know what your clients' current needs are, shape your offering around those needs and with good service you will have a happy client for a long time.

I thought it was more like 20% of your clients end up taking 80% of you time? I did fire that 20% a while back and it did hurt for a bit.

[LD]

One thing that I have hear lately with respect to networking your business or when promoting or putting together an advertisement, is not to use the term "recession". Terms like "recession-proofing" or "economic downturn" even when used to compare a feature or benefit offered with your product or service are received as subconscious turn-offs.

Thoughts?

[jordy3738]

Watching expences and being wise with how we market with the resources we have to work with is important.

[3dmagicaldesigns]

I also think that you need to try every single strategy in the market, it doesn't matter if it is dummy or people thing it is useless, the more tools you use, the more chances you will have to be successful with any marketing strategy

[3dmagicaldesigns]

What do you mean attracted traffic?

[mtheory]

Best marketing strategy.

Ask yourself "How would the government run my business?"

Then do the opposite.

[anthony2313]

you can do article marketing

which is a very effective tactic

free also

[Maggie1988007]

Look for acquisitions that offer complementary products/services selling to a different customer base.

[Maggie1988007]

Maintaining or incresing price while increasing value is paramount.