New Marketing for the New Economy, Part I and Part 2

If your parents and grandparents are anything like mine, you may have grown up with stories about how much easier you have things as compared to them.

In fact, I remember hearing how my Dad's tiny town in rural Italy didn't have electricity until my grandfather brought it - by way of a car battery.

And, of course, they walked to school 5 miles uphill, both ways. :-)

So is true of marketing and growing your business.

In the "old" days:

* High overhead * Limited to business hours (usually 9am - 5pm) * Limited to local clients * High "contact" costs using print and snail mail (wait and wait and wait for response) * Cold calling * Expensive advertising * Dress up and commute to office * Work hard, be away from family

Early 2010 and prior:

* Low overhead/low barrier to entry (good and bad) * Have website? Open 24/7 for business * Clients are international * Low "contact" costs, instant response * Know, like and trust * Inexpensive/f.r.e.e. "advertising" * Work from home in pjs if you want * Work smart, home with family for dinner, homework, etc.

And everything's shifted again. If you're not prepared for it, you'll be left far behind as your ideal clients wonder why you're out of touch with the current reality and go elsewhere for what they need.

MY REQUEST TO YOU

Part 2 of "New Marketing for a New Economy" below will share the philosophies necessary for success in 2011

Take some time to jot down what YOU think are the marketing philosophies which will resonate with you and your ideal clients in our "new" economy.

NEW MARKETING FOR THE NEW ECONOMY, PART 2

In Part 1 we talked about marketing before "online" became so popular: you know, high contact costs using print and snail mail only, geographic limitations, expensive advertising.

Then we chatted a bit about marketing in the early 2010 and prior period: websites equate to international clients and your business being open 24/7, low contact costs and instant responses, inexpensive and f.r.e.e. "advertising" - essentially, marketing utopia for the small business owner.

And then the latest recession came and businesses of all sizes and models started to flounder, if not outright fail.

It's time to do things differently, truthfully, it's past time and while many businesses have embraced some of these philosophies, it's the sum of them which will guarantee sustainable success while maintaining sanity.

New Marketing for long-term success in the New Economy:

* Quality, not quantity, of relationships and connecting with clients as people, not revenue streams - leave ivory towers to the princesses

* Do business as if you live in a small town and everyone knows you and "your business" - that is with true integrity, integrity your great grandparents would be honored to see

* Extreme Client Care is NOT a "nice to have/do" - it's a requirement, for yourself and your clients.

* Focus on profits and Extreme Client Care and the revenue will take care of itself

* Simplification, consistency and leverage in all things: your business model, your marketing, your positioning, your systems, everything

Notice what's not included above:

* Blogging and podcasts * Ezine and email marketing * Direct mail * Advertising * Networking * Affiliate marketing * Teleseminars, webcasts, webinars…

These are simply strategies - the core concept, your business foundation has to be grounded for any of these to work. Without a full understanding of your vision, purpose and overall "how" for managing your business, there can be no success.

MY REQUEST TO YOU

Are you ready to make a decision about your business (note that there's no wrong decision here, simply the one which is best for you)?

* Do you want a business which will support your desired life goals or one to keep you busy? Either's okay.

* Are you willing to be open and do things differently to get what you want? Or do you like the status quo? Either's okay.

* Do you want to design your business (and life) or would you prefer to let it "happen" to you? Either's okay.

These aren't decisions or choices to make lightly. Take your time, think about them and go into 2011 with the confidence, inspiration and motivation of knowing "THIS is my choice and what I want, now to make it happen!"

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