Smart Money Choice$

All it really comes down to is a matter of choice…and action.

In reality, you have the ability to choose what the economy means for you and your business. You are actually in control, whether you realize it or not.

Most people (unintentionally) choose to act like victims in a tough economy. Choosing the role of a victim will get you victim’s results. That’s why we hear so much about lay-offs and business failures.

However, the economy is just a catalyst. Your success is up to you.

How to Make a Better Choice

First you need to choose to change what you focus on.

As we’ve all heard many times by now, historically, there are businesses that make their fortunes in bad economies. So the question is: How exactly can you be one of them this time around?

You must be able to see the new opportunities that have now opened up because of the economic changes, rather than focusing on “negative” impacts the recession may be having on the way you used to run your business. Times have changed. You must too.

Are you ready for a new point of view? Assume that things aren’t going to change anytime soon. Act on the opportunities now available and redesign your business and you are in a far better position to prosper!

The way to shift away from reactive mode (where most everyone else is right now) and into proactive mode, is to ask new questions. Questions focus our thoughts and affect what we do. So let’s focus on prosperity – for everyone!

Start Asking Better Questions

What new opportunities have the recent economic shifts caused, or could cause, in your marketplace? (Chances are your competition is too busy in reactive mode to see these opportunities.  That gives you a BIG advantage.)

Under the current conditions, how can your services or products be used in new ways that will help your customers / clients thrive?

Do your services or products provide new benefits that you have not yet considered to customers who may have new priorities?

Said another way, what pains or problems can you solve for your customers (possibly in a new way) based on what they want most right now?

Write down your answers.

Who Are Your Customers and Who Could Be Your Customers Now?

Part of the change in focus may have to do with who your customers are. If the market you’ve been serving is now inclined to cut back on using your service or product, who else might be MORE inclined to come your way because of the economy?

Are there potential customers from a higher income level who may now consider what you have as a wonderful way of cutting back? (Are they looking for economical ways to still get what they want?)

• Side Note: Be careful with this one. You do not want to lower your prices in an effort to salvage customers. In so doing, you lower the perceived value. You might rather ask yourself how you can “value package” your services and products by bundling several together in a way that won’t eat your profits. That creates a positive solution for both you and your customers. Always be thinking win-win.

Results-Focused Actions You Can Take Right NOW!

Okay, now it’s time to get out of your head and into action.

The first place to start is to overhaul your marketing message and/or your products and services to meet the new economy needs of your customers and prospects. Then, test your new offerings as quickly as possible, so that you can get the needed feedback to perfect them. Get that feedback from your customers.

If they’ve done business with you in the past, they are already familiar with you and what you do. So let them have the privilege to be the first to hear about what you’ve got that’s new! (Everyone likes to be treated like an insider!) They will likely be the first to buy and give you the needed feedback.

It is important to get into action quickly. Contact all of your customers, past and present. Point their attention to what’s new, fresh and positive (a refreshing change from all the doom and gloom). Focus on what’s in it for them (benefits). And get them involved by asking for feedback and suggestions.

Use telephone calls, postcards, personalized letters and email. A combination appraoch will get their attention best. Just make sure that it is as personalized as possible. Customer loyalty is based on relationships. You want to build up (or re-build) the relationships you already have in place.

Expand your Reach

Your next area of action is to gather feedback, make adjustments, and then find new customers. This is where your answers to the questions on new markets for your services and products are invaluable.

Going online may be the easiest and most profitable way to reach new customers and build relationships, especially if you can make your wares available from a distance. If you aren’t already online, you should be.

Even if you only serve a local market, consider using a simple website that highlights the new benefits and packaging of your services and products. More and more people are looking for local businesses online than ever before. Listing your website in the many free online directories, as well as on free ad sites (see the Resource list below), will get results and won’t cost you a dime. Just remember to highlight benefits that solve your customers’ most painful problems, NOT who you are or the things you do. That makes you stand out from your self-absorbed competition.

If you can, also offer a free sample to give new customers a no-obligation test drive of what you’ve got to offer. Free still gets attention, and can get the wheels of word-of-mouth marketing turning in your favor as well.

Make Your Choice and Get Going

Commit to scheduling time this week to ponder the new opportunities that are now available to you. Ask yourself how you can provide solutions to existing as well as new customers. Then get into action quickly and let your customers and prospects know about your new offerings and/or re-designed business.

By making the conscious choice of a positive, proactive mindset and taking definite, focused actions, you will automatically be moving in the right direction. Opportunities are abundant, when you choose to go find them.

If you liked the suggestions in this article, you will enjoy the additional insights provided in a new special report I recently discovered by Jeff Baas of One Stop Web Support. You can get your hands on a free copy at:

Click Here ==> Jeff’s Free Special Report

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Places to list your website for free for local and national (even global) advertizing:

Craigslist.org

Yahoo Local Business Directory

Switchboard / SuperPages Online Directory

If you want to promote your business online by writing articles or doing other online marketing in a time-efficient way, here’s an excellent article for organizing your day no matter how busy you are, as well as a link to a VERY useful cut-to-the-chase e-report (which I use myself and highly recommend):

Click Here ==> Robert Plank on Internet Marketing Time Management

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR OWN BLOG OR E-ZINE? You have permission to re-publish it, as long as you include the following author’s bio and link:

Gabrielle Fontaine, PB is a freelance Professional Bookkeeper and Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. She specializes in assisting Internet-savvy entrepreneurs get control of their books and maximize profits. Gabrielle also publishes the business-boosting online ezine, Smart Money Choices. Get more information at http://www.BookkeepingDirect.com

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