How to Succeed in Today's Economy
You've probably heard
from every guru under the sun telling you how to succeed in the
current troubled economy. Some of them actually have good information
but many of their solutions are the same old tactics just whitewashed
and presented anew with a twist.
Among this jumble of
marketing messages, how do you pick the ones, if any, that are right
for your situation?
First, and this is the
most important step, you have to know what your situation is. If this
seems a bit elementary, remember that the vast majority of people
don't have a clue. They just go along from day to day, grabbing at the
next attractive program that comes along without a thought as how it
might actually work for them.
Keep in mind the single
most important fact in business today: Competition is fierce. there
are more business owners chasing fewer customers than ever before. The
biggest questions those customers ask is, "Why should I hire you?"
They need the product. They need to know why they should get it from
you.
To succeed in today's
economy, you need to stand out from the crowd of your competitors. If
you think this is easier said than done, you are right.
When you look at
programs that offer to help you with your marketing, ask yourself
these questions:
-
Will it help me
develop my unique selling proposition?
-
Will it teach me
skills that make me stand out?
-
Does it offer ongoing
support?
-
Is the provider of
the program available?
-
Will this program
help you become the expert in your market?
As you evaluate
programs, remember that two powerful marketing tools are underused by
the majority of business owners. These are: writing books, articles,
blogs, and newsletters and speaking to groups and organizations.
If your writing skills
are out of date, be sure to find a teacher who can help you write
powerful sales copy, instructional materials, articles that sell, and
books that establish you as an expert in your market.
If your speaking skills
are rusty or non-existent, find a great speaking coach and join a
Toastmasters Club. These will help you polish your presentations so
you can get clients every time you open your mouth.
May this be a
productive, successful year for your business. |