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FB_statusOn Facebook we can change our relationship status - ‘In a relationship’, ‘single’ or even ‘It’s complicated’! The barometer of our personal lives for the world (and all our friends) to see. If only it was as easy for a business to see the status of their relationship with their customers.

Whilst looking at segmentation I have often used the analogy of a relationship to describe the various customer statuses within a business. Recently (I have to admit it may have been whilst watching Jeremy Kyle when someone announced they were splitting up with their partner by changing their Facebook status) this analogy came to mind again.

So how about a bit of relationship counselling for your business ...

Recession, credit crunch, economic downturn - call it what you walletwill there are few small businesses that have not been affected in some way or another.

In tight times the need to cut costs can often result in reduced marketing spend, especially in light of cash flow concerns but when times are tough it is even more important to keep promoting your business.

Now you may be thinking ‘well of course she would say that, marketing is what she sells’ but if you consider what is actually happening in a recession, you see why it is so important to keep up the momentum of your promotions.

  1. 1)  Your customers (people or businesses) have less money to spend
  2. 2)  They are looking to make more careful purchasing decisions
  3. 3)  You will need to demonstrate how your product or service provides real value and is a better choice than your competitors.
  4. 4)  You need to stay ‘front of mind’ so that when customers are looking to purchase, they come to your business.

Sounds like a job for marketing.

So if we accept that marketing is something all businesses need to do to survive, then what can be done when cash is in short supply?

ResolutionsI know we haven’t had Christmas yet, but as I was thinking about what New Year Marketing Resolutions I can think of and my first one, “Start Planning Early” prompted me to not wait until January to send this out but strike whilst the iron is hot!

Resolution #1 – Start Planning Early

It is a fact of life (and marketing) that things always take longer than you think. Yes, in this world of email, digital print and social media it is possible to turn some marketing communications very quickly, but there are still things that deserve, and need, to be taken a bit more time over.