Doubling Your Sales in a Really Tough Economy!

Many businesses are struggling these days, if they have survived this long. The hundreds of thousands of businesses you have died can teach us all something about how to survive, and even thrive, in 2011.

First, you must be willing to change and stop doing just what you did in the past. If you have survived the last few years you probably already know this. If not, you are probably one of those businesses destined to fail this year. And, if you think it will get a lot easier this year then you are taking the same hallucinogens many economists, press people, and government officials are taking.

Facts are that there are many factors working against a strong recovery and the overwhelming odds are strong that this will be a painfully slow recovery.

What to do?

Try using a simple technique life the following both online and offline. That means, it can be used effectively in media like radio, print, online (web-based), etc.

Use a simple, catchy theme to differentiate yourself from others while providing valuable information and insights that your potential customers can actually put to use.

Example, sample formula, "You vs. __________: ____________ secrets to _____________."

Here is a sample title you might use if you were a CPA or Tax Expert for an article you could provide (for free) to your clients: "You vs. the IRS: 5 little known secrets for saving money on your 2010 taxes."

If you were a counselor or psychologist you could use something like this using the same formula: "You vs. Your Fears: 7 secret exercises for mastering your self confidence."

You get the idea. Then either write (or someone write) an article that explains the headline and provide it as a free PDF on your website, as a press release, posted on associations and blogs that fit your business, and so on.

Now you are adding value, differentiating yourself from competition, and engaging existing customers in an ongoing dialogue...all of which will help your business. Good Luck!

Steve Burgess