134 - Marketing in a Downturn: How to Stay Ahead of the Competition, With Robin Daniels

How do you get customers to fall in love with your brand? Robin Daniels is the former marketing exec ready to open his playbook and deliver some home truths. Robin is a consultant specializing in growth, marketing. and leadership. He has previously worked in executive leadership roles for companies such as Matterport, WeWork, Salesforce, LinkedIn, Box, Veritas, and Vera. Daniel and Robin kick off talking about marketing during tough economic times and why no one need panic, why focusing on one product feature is optimal, and the very real need to be patient when it comes to people falling in love with your brand. Follow Robin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robingdaniels/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/robin_daniels Keep up to date with the latest news from The Marketing Millennials:. Follow Daniel on Twitter: twitter.com/Dmurr68 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/daniel-murray-marketing  Sign up to The Marketing Millennials newsletter: workweek.com/brand/the-marketing-millennials Daniel is a Workweek friend, working to produce amazing podcasts. Find out more, visit: www.workweek.com HOW TO PRIORITIZE MARKETING IN A DOWNTURN Economic downturns can pose significant challenges for marketing professionals. With tighter budgets and a more cautious consumer mindset, it can be challenging to know where to prioritize marketing efforts. However, during times of economic uncertainty, it’s essential to focus on strategies that can help sustain and grow your business. Here are some tips on how to prioritize marketing in an economic downturn: Focus on ROI: During an economic downturn, marketing budgets are often under scrutiny. To justify your marketing spend, it’s crucial to demonstrate a return on investment. Focus on marketing strategies that have a proven track record of delivering results. Set measurable goals and track your progress to ensure that your efforts are generating a positive return. Optimize your digital presence: In a world where more consumers are shopping online, it’s essential to have a strong digital presence. Focus on optimizing your website, social media profiles, and online advertising campaigns. Ensure that your messaging is relevant, and your online experience is user-friendly. Consider investing in search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to increase your visibility online. Nurture existing customers: During an economic downturn, customer loyalty is more important than ever. Focus on building relationships with your existing customers by offering exceptional customer service, personalized messaging, and exclusive offers. Consider launching a loyalty program to reward your most loyal customers. Leverage social media: Social media is a cost-effective way to reach a broad audience. Focus on creating engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Consider partnering with social media influencers to increase your reach. Use social media to promote your products or services and to stay connected with your customers. Monitor your competition: During an economic downturn, competition can be fierce. Monitor your competitors’ marketing strategies to stay ahead of the curve. Focus on what sets you apart and communicate your unique value proposition. Consider launching promotions or special offers to incentivize customers to choose your brand over competitors. Test and iterate: During an economic downturn, it’s essential to be agile and willing to adapt. Test different marketing strategies and iterate based on the results. Continually monitor your metrics and adjust your tactics as needed to maximize your ROI. In conclusion, prioritizing marketing during an economic downturn requires a focus on ROI, optimizing your digital presence, nurturing existing customers, leveraging social media, monitoring your competition, and testing and iterating. By following these tips, marketing professionals can weather economic uncertainty and emerge stronger on the other side.