Repair Shop Websites Library
Don't Quit
By: Rhonda Hiltbrand at NWZ WORX, www.nwzworx.com.
Automotive Marketing & Business Consulting, Direct Mail & Technology Services
"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." ~Walter Elliott
The economy is still sluggish but hopeful; drivers are putting less miles on their vehicles and even the most loyal of customers may be chasing “deals.” Rumor has it that things are supposed to turn around for the better. No one is promising an amazing improvement but those who are supposedly in the know tell us to hang on, the economy will improve. I was reading my Smartbriefs this week and every one of them said consumers spent more this holiday season on decorations, Starbuck’s Peppermint Mocha Lattes and gifts for others and even for themselves. The economists and the National Retail Federation all take this to be a good sign! I hope they are right.
Here is what you need to know to keep on keeping on!
- Don’t stop marketing! Mix it up! Like life, variety is the spice of business! Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. Marketing is not a luxury it is an investment in your business.
“Get loud- Amp up the volume of your efforts by doing more advertising and marketing." Now is not the time to cut back. There is an old saying in marketing, 'In good times, advertise. In bad times, advertise more.' I see a lot of business owners who are too scared of the market to make bold decisions. Now is the time to turn up the heat. Know you customer, understand your core message, and get loud." ~Business Daily Newstaff
- If you are going to be in business you must have a website! Keep it updated! A website is not a luxury…it too is an investment in your business. Websites do not have to be expensive to be effective either but…please get an expert to do it for you! Don’t let a friend of friend who likes to dabble do it. If you want your website to be found, SEO is very important. You don’t necessarily need an expensive custom site because those who do template sites are successful for a reason…they are proven and they work! You have a choice…template or custom! Pick the one that works best for you but again…once you have made that choice…leave it to the experts!
- Use humor! I’ve told you this often but here is a testimonial from one of our wonderful customers in Florida!
"YESTERDAY AT 1:00 TO 1:45 YOUR POST CARD FLOODED MY PHONE LINES WITH LAUGHTER. SOME MAKING APPOINTMENTS AND THE REST JUST CALLED AND SAID THANK YOU. ONE CUSTOMER SAID SHE WAS HAVING A VERY BAD TWO DAYS AGO AND WENT TO HER MAIL BOX AND LAUGHED ALL THE WAY INTO THE HOUSE WITH NIEGHBORS LOOKING AT HER STRANGELY. EVERY WEDNESDAY FOR 12 YEARS WE HAVE GONE TO A PIZZA SHOP AT THE SAME PLACE. TWO PEOPLE WERE WAITING THERE CARD IN HAND WITH A PEN WANTING THEM AUTOGRAPHED.
THANKS PAUL."
If you are struggling, I want to leave you with this little poem of encouragement.
by: Unknown Author
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit.
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out:
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems so far:
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
If you need help, I’m here! If you are uncertain about a new marketing strategy you want to try feel free to run it by me.
Thanks!
