Yesterday, I reached out to ten businesses with a huge opportunity. (Free.) Four were out of business. Websites shut down. Emails returned.
Business bankruptcies are WAY up.
And this is ONLY the “REAL” businesses,
not counting the solopreneurs who are struggling to earn even a full time income for themselves.
But there’s a really quick one-two punch that solves it all… not for the world, and not for the rest of the economy, but for you and YOUR business. (And really, guys… that is where we HAVE to start.)
1) Live below your means. This is real talk. I have never been one for a lot of debt. I don’t advocate “faking it until you make it.” I’ve never rented a jet for pictures to pretend I fly private or bought a house I couldn’t afford, primarily for show.
In fact, I’ve never done ANY “aspirational lifestyle marketing” EVEN though I LOVE the life I’ve created for myself. When you have the chops, the real world experience, you don’t have to PIMP Your LIFE out there for attention or accolades. You can just rest on your message. (I think this is a great post for another day.)
Even in great economies — but especially in ones marked by limited cash availability and record high prices on nearly everything — spending less than you earn is just a solid idea.
I call this SAFE HARBOR positioning (which I think I first heard from Dan Kennedy) and in addition to just the “sound” financial principle of it, when you NEVER NEED that next client, it makes you a bolder marketer, an expert willing to SAY THE THINGS no one else is… and — in turn — creates huge demand for your brand.
2) LEARN — no, MASTER — the ART of SELLING.
I learned to sell
when I was broke
and had no plan B.
So, I got good, fast.
But I didn’t stop there. I have studied under the GREATEST salesmen on earth, both living and deceased. I am NEVER not studying sales, from infinite angles. Yes, I love it, but also… it matters to my bottom line.
Because it is never the BEST attorney / surgeon / realtor / coach that makes the most money.. it is the one who has TRULY mastered ALL parts of selling:
— Positioning; (HUGE and talked about too little.)
— Packaging; and
— Promotion.
We’re already half way through SAVAGE SUCCESS, but I’m doing a free and public training called: In The Trenches: 20 Years of Selling Techniques and How EACH Can Work Better NOW.
If you want in, message me or comment below. I’m scheduling it now. **Picture from a small little thing I threw for my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. **
