While I’m in the know, I stay in touch, abreast of the daily news, the markets and more, I’ve noticed that during this alleged and perceived downturn, there is a much more significant resistance amongst peers, business associates, and fellow entrepreneurs. We aren’t participating in the bad news; we are creating our own economies.

Now, that isn’t to say we aren’t affected. We don’t have our heads in the sand, instead we are looking forward, eyes wide open and taking advantage of opportunities created during this period to make needed changes. This is the ideal time to:

Do reassess your marketing message, method, and target.
Don’t cut back on your marketing efforts during downtimes.

Do create a way to stay in touch with your buyers regularly.
Don’t just send them an email when you want to sell or announce.

Do use creative methods that you might not have considered previously.
Don’t be afraid to test more than one method or message.

Do know who your target market is, be specific and focused.
Don’t take every prospect that comes your way, just because you are a little hungrier.

Do look for ways to take advantage of consumers staying put, unable to move.
Don’t assume they won’t spend; they often have more money because they aren’t moving!

Do be patient and optimistic, continue taking action.
Don’t become a pessimist, and shirk responsibility for your own success.

As a designer, it is interesting to me that while I hear that business is down and I do know of a couple of vendors struggling, I know many more that are doing well right now. In my own business I’ve noticed that many clients are still gung ho on their interiors since they realize they aren’t going to be moving for at least 2-3 years. They also learn the value of “moveable money,” my trademark phrase for furnishings.

As a speaker, when the economy is in a slump, audiences need an even stronger dose of motivation, sales training, leadership insights, and more to keep them going. While it may take more negotiating, the opportunities are still very much in evidence.

Persistence, passion and action will reap reward.

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Want to Use This Article in Your E-zine or Website? Simply include the text here, with a link to www.melissagalt.com. Online entrepreneur Melissa Galt, “The Lifestyle Diva,” publishes “Interior Destinations” a monthly ezine with 1500+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your life, create comfortable and personal home interiors, define your personal image and style, plan exciting travel and adventure, develop the career of your dreams, and pursue your past times and passionate pursuits, learn how now at www.melissagalt.com.

One of the essential keys to weathering the storms and vagaries of an unpredictable economy is to develop lasting relationships with your clients and consumers. It doesn’t matter if you are selling services or product, at the high end or the low end, what matters is that you have taken the time to develop long term relationships that foster repeat business and regular referrals to grow no matter what the media is spouting about recession and more. Create your own economy!

The simplest and quickest way to Invest in Relationships, can be spelled out in 6 easy steps. (Yes, I know the rules of marketing state I need an even number, but the word INVEST is 6 letters!)

Inform to empower!
Knowledge is power, when you provide complete and concise knowledge you put your clients at ease and empower them to trust you as the best professional choice for the service or product they need.

• Don’t take your client for granted.
• Do keep your client informed at all times of progress and any delays or necessary changes.

Nix the budget!
Educate and encourage your clients to invest in the solution you provide for their needs and wants. A budget is a limitation, remove the limitation and optimize your sales.

• Don’t decide how much your clients will spend, that is up to them.
• Do offer the most irresistible combination of goods and services.

Value their time!
When you value your time and that of your client, they will honor. Don’t run late, don’t miss appointments, don’t delay. Success is in the now, not in the next time.

• Honor your client’s time so they will honor yours.
• Establish and maintain control of the project.
• Know what your time is worth and be fairly compensated.

Earn more with better cookies!
While you can certainly sell the basic model and the necessary service, that is like the sugar cookie. Go for the upgrade to the chocolate chip, but don’t stop there, give them the model or service that boasts walnuts, loaded with coconut, topped off with toffee bits. Be the best cookie baker and you’ll create delicious results every time.

• Don’t nickel and dime your clients.
• Do provide a comprehensive product offering that includes upgrades.

Share respect!
Know the external and internal influences for buying behavior. (Next newsletter focus!) You can’t change these, but you can impact them.

• Don’t tell your clients how they are going to buy.
• Do listen to their buying signals so you are ready to sell what they are looking for.

Think Big!
(If you’ve been reading my newsletters, you already have a headstart on the Semantics of Success!) Language is everything in sales, simply moving from budget to investment, from if to when, from should to will, and from possible to guaranteed will rocket you to the top.

• Change your language to change your success.
• Eliminate limiting words like could, would, should, might maybe.
• You either will or won’t, do or don’t, simplify to succeed.

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Want to Use This Article in Your E-zine or Website? Simply include the text here, with a link to www.melissagalt.com. Online entrepreneur Melissa Galt, “The Lifestyle Diva,” publishes “Interior Destinations” a monthly ezine with 1500+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your life, create comfortable and personal home interiors, define your personal image and style, plan exciting travel and adventure, develop the career of your dreams, and pursue your past times and passionate pursuits, learn how now at www.melissagalt.com.