Brent.fm • a technology mixdown with Aloha

In economic slumps, marketing and advertising budgets get cut, and cost-reduction is the mantra of the small business owner. But not you!

You realize that by leveraging organic methods you can use the slower economy to gain mindshare. If you see a noticeable drop in clients, use any extra time to gain mindshare. So how do you do that?

Here’s a few ideas:

Look smart – go analytical. Focus on the details. Use this opportunity to solidify your landing page strategies. Review your clients analytics carefully to insure all the top ranking keywords have great landing pages. Produce charts and graphs that you might not otherwise have time for. Show these to your clients and create a page that helps sell your services when the budgets turn around.

Look fast – think of the recent projects that have gone smoothly. Build a new page on your site highlighting the des/dev/mktg process in a timeline that’s easy for potential clients to grasp. Helping clients understand your process and the time commitment can help seize more dollars from other areas of your client’s budgets like traditional newspaper advertising.

Look popular – get your company’s info on more social sites. Use life-blogging tools to enforce your brand and build the story of your company. Post the output on your site.

Be the best – if the greatest tool in your arsenal is you, improve yourself. Take some online video tutorials, like tubetorials or some step by step design or development tutorials. Listen to some professional podcasts on how to improve. Differentiate yourself further by joining trade associations. If you’re not the greatest tool in your arsenal become your most valuable asset.

Get Educated! – Seriously, if you’re looking for differentiation between yourself and your peers seeking the same job, show you have earned a certificate in standards-based education for web professionals.