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photo credit: Wesley Fryer

When the economy is slow, the advertising budget is usually first to go. Why oh why oh why? Right when you need to get your name out there the most, you cut and slash so that poor advertising budget is only a shell of its former self. I know that running a small business can be challenging. I know that you have to keep a close eye on expenses at the best of times. It can be tough. And it’s even tougher when you fall for the big business marketing model and try to use image based advertising to grow your small business. It won’t work when times are great, and it definitely won’t work when times aren’t great.

Image Based Advertising Won’t Work

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Big corporation with millions of dollars to waste on marketing hires huge ad agency to create a series of commercials, print ads, radio spots and billboards. Every one of these ads is very cute, very clever, and very creative. There are wonderful effects and imagery, with the thought being that this particular brand will effortlessly seep into your sub-conscious and when you’re ready to buy what it is they’re selling, they’ve got you! No benefits, no offer, just image based adverising at its best. The problem is, many small business owners see this type of advertising and mistakenly believe that this is the way advertising is supposed to be. If these huge companies are doing it this way, then this must be how it’s done!

What Will Work For You

Is it any wonder around 90% of small businesses fail within the first year? I personally, don’t believe that image based advertising is even remotely worth what big corporations spend on it. And I know for a fact that it won’t work for the small business owner. Can you really afford to spend a few thousand dollars on radio or newspaper ads and hope people will think of you a few months down the road when they need what you have? A small business has to determine exactly who their target market is, find effective and affordable ways to engage that market, then create offers that will make them want to buy from you now, not later.

Follow the 4 U’s

If you can create marketing materials that follow the 4 U’s, you’ll be well on your way. The 4 U’s are urgency, uniqueness, ultra-specifity, and usefulness. If your product or service unique, ultra-specific, useful to your prospect, and creates a sense of urgency, a sale won’t be far behind. Forget the big corporation model. It won’t work for you. Find new and exciting ways to pique your prospect’s imagination and change their perception that won’t break the bank and will actually get you results.

In the end, that’s what it’s all about. If whichever marketing strategies you choose don’t increase your sales, you’ll just be one more of the 90% that fail every year. Don’t let that be you!

If you own a small business, and are interested in marketing strategies that will guarantee results, go take a look here: http://balanceadvertisingsolutions.com.

We use freelancers who chose to give up the corporate life for all our services. This means lower overhead for us, and much less expense for you without having to sacrifice anything in the way of quality.

Marketing is the single most important aspect of your business. It can make or break you, and without it, nothing else you do will even matter. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Go take a look and change your business today: http://balanceadvertisingsolutions.com.