2 Critical Marketing Strategies To Include In Your 2009 Marketing Plan - By: Kaye Dennan

Selling what the customer wants has always been the mantra of business marketers. But in small business today, with the financial crisis that so many are facing, small business owners have to sell what the buyers need.

During the more difficult financial times that the world has been experiencing since 2008, it has become obvious that customer buying patterns have changed.

On the whole, your customers are going to have to be more careful with their purchasing. They have to make sure that the items they buy will last the distance, and usually this means that they need to be more practical than fashionable.

There has always been the distinction between what your customers want and what they need. In other words, your customer may need a low fat cooking book, but want to buy all the latest chocolate recipes.

Because of the world financial crisis of 2008 your customers will, more than ever before, be looking for quality, best price and lasting power of your products.

It does not matter who your customers are, if they are lucky they have the same income and the same expenses, but we are all aware that our financial circumstances may change in 2009. Because of this people are spending less, saving more, and buying better.

THE SOLUTIONS

Purchasing

Have a look at your products and at the products you will be purchasing in the near future. Make sure they fit the criteria we have outlined: quality, durability, perhaps not so fashionable, and the best price for the product.

Before purchasing check what your competitors are offering and at what price they are selling their items. Before you see sales reps, find out what they are going to be offering you, and at what price. You want to be informed about your competitors' prices before they visit you. If they do not want to tell you prior to their visit, tell them not to bother coming, or alternatively tell them to come if they like but that you will not be ordering until you can check out local selling prices.

As a small business owner you have the upper hand, more than you ever have had before. Suppliers need your trade, so do it on your terms.

Buying To Run Specials

Firstly, only run specials when you are trying to quit a certain line of stock, and in this case do not advertise it, because if you have it still sitting on your shelf you may have limited customers for it, and therefore any advertising you do will not meet your wider range of customers. To quit this dead stock do in store promotions, or use it as give-aways with other promotions.

Secondly, during your marketing campaigns, only offer stock which you have been able to purchase as a discounted price. In today's business climate you cannot afford, as a small business owner, to be selling your stock at a reduced profit unless it has proved to be dead stock. Query your customers, find out what their most purchased items are, find a supplier who will talk reduced terms and deliver on your terms (maybe extended payment so you can set up your marketing campaign with the knowledge you have stock on hand to sell), and plan your marketing strategy.

Copyright (c) 2009 Kaye Dennan

About the Author

Kaye Dennan has owned small businesses for over 25 years and has always attended to their marketing, and has attended may marketing courses. For more information on Small Business Marketing go to http://ebooksnowonline.com/small-business/marketing/

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