If you want to have and maintain a healthy body you need to work out and exercise on a regular basis. It makes no difference if you “worked out really hard” 3 years ago and had the perfect body. Chances are if you stopped this regimen, you no longer have that body you once did. The same goes for a healthy business. If you advertised heavily and had loads of business “a few years ago” and now customers have stopped coming in. The answer as to why – relay should not be rocket science. Just as your muscles stop getting worked out if you stop exercising – your customers stop getting reminded of your existence if you stop advertising.
One of the most baffling things I hear often from business owners is the following: “Business is really slow, so we cut back on advertising, now its even slower… I don’t know what to do”. Did it occur to these people that the key to getting customers in the door is making them aware and excited about their businesses? Fading off into obscurity is a sure ticket to a going out of business sale – NOT a one-way ticket to increased business.
But “advertising” wasn’t working for me! Let’s say I walk into your business, pick up a Dixie cup from the water cooler, pulled the tab for water and nothing comes out. Should I immediately assume that EVERYTHING you sell “won’t work”? Of course not. Your advertising plan may have been simply getting old. Every message has a shelf life. When was the last time you talked about something different? Maybe it was in a medium that does not have the same following as it once did. Or maybe – you were not getting enough exposure for what you could afford and need to find another outlet for your marketing dollars. I’m sure the answer is not simply to “Stop advertising”.
Chances are you are confused if you are in this state. You know your business! NOT the world of marketing. That is why at this point I would suggest talking with a marketing professional who can show you the options that are available to you on your budget. They work on a commission, so most of the time you never have to pay them anything as the outlets for advertising they get you on pay them for bringing in business. Most importantly – be honest with them. If your budget is 1k don’t tell them you can spend 5k and expect some sort of crazy discount to do business with you. These agents can negotiate deals and prices – they can’t work miracles. They want your business and will likely do whatever they can to get you the most for your budget – to ensure a turnaround and a continued relationship.