Status Quo – the state in which – is a Latin term meaning the current or existing state of affairs. To maintain the status quo is to keep the things the way they presently are. That pretty much translates to the same as the definition of insanity: “Repeating the same things over and over and expecting different results.”
We now live in a world of information. It comes at us from everywhere – TV commercials, radio commercials, mailboxes filled with flyers, ads popping up on your computer dancing uninvited across a website – most of which are usually ignored by most consumers. But one thing is clear: These companies want your business and they are doing everything they know how to do to get it.
When do you pay attention? When do you read their offers or click on the annoying pop up ad? The sad truth is, almost never. Right?
Being in the advertising business, I pay particular attention to print advertising and notice what shows up in my mailbox – more out of curiosity than anything else, because I know firsthand how expensive a campaign like that costs. For instance, the other day I received an 8 x 11 color flyer in my mailbox for hunting equipment, something I would never purchase. In fact, I am vehemently opposed to hunting. So how much did they pay for me to see that flyer, something that went directly into the recycle bin on my way back to my house?
So as a business, how do you get the word out about what you do and get people to notice?
- Target Your Market – For every product or service there is a group that is interested in what you have. Identify that market then do all of your marketing efforts there.
- Create relationships within your market – Enough cannot be said about networking, whether online or in person. Find groups within your area in your target market and get yourself known.
- Cover All The Bases – When you find your market, do everything within that market that is available. If you do print ads, make sure that your ad is also being seen on their website. Take every opportunity to attend events within that market. Meet people. Most of all, be consistent and build trust. This takes some time, but it is well worth the effort.
- Ask for Help – If the target market is new to you, ask people who are involved in that community for ideas, introductions, where to find events and where to advertise, etc.
- Attend Events, or better yet, Create Events – This will get your name out there faster than anything else.
- Be Innovative – Don’t just stick to the status quo. Be inventive. Be the first to do something remarkable. Use your imagination. Do something different and unusual that people will notice
It’s true that times are changing, but that does not mean that as a business owner we are victims to the bad economy. We are just being given an opportunity to change, to make things better, to be more than we ever expected to be.
What changes have you made for your business?
