Keeping business afloat during a downturn is hard enough, consumer confidence is down, expenses still require maintenance so it's time to cut the marketing budget right. Or is it?  Some business owners see cost cutting as the ultimate answer and do so at their own peril.

Reducing debt and outgoing expenses is one way to ensure you live to fight another day however, cutting your marketing and communications budget may leave your customers feeling abandoned. Your competitors will see this cost cutting as their opportunity to spend on marketing and lead your customers away.

So whats the solution? Living to fight another day is important so budget reductions are inevitable but you have to be creative.

• Look for neat solutions to cutting costs
• Suppliers will want to secure their own incomes so use this to leaver better deals in your favour.
  focus on customer service (its free)
  Ask your staff for ideas
  explore other creative marketing and communication techniques which have a high yield for their dollar value
  Make an alliance with an associated business and work together to get through the down turn

Now more than ever it's important that your customers see they are getting value for money.

 http://isbm.smeal.psu.edu/library/working-paper-articles/2002-working-papers/15-2002-turning-adversity-into-advantage.pdf

OFFER EXTENDED

It doesn't matter if you have been in business 50 years or 5 minutes, a sleek, up-to date logo says a lot about your business to potential customers.This month we are running a special offer for visitors of our website. Get your new business logo treatment for $400 inc gst, Yes that's right a new logo for next to nothing!

Let Christmas come early this year and give yourself a new logo! This is a limited offer for the first 20 customers, so what are you waiting for, give us a call and start telling us what you want for Christmas.  Contact us today

If you're keen on seeing some samples of our work check out our portfolio

Recently it seems like I've spent hours online searching for accommodation in some of the most entertaining and relaxing settings.

What I discovered as a customer however, is the incredible division between those tourist operators who absolutely wow you with a sense of peace, luxury and relaxation, and those who present home made photos and lack lustre information.

There has been a lot of talk lately about "facebook" and "myspace" and how it can be used by business to attract young affluent customers but is the hype all true?

Before you jump head first into blogging your daily business tasks or what your latest specials are, there are some considerations to make. If you're a business that sells life insurance, cemetery plots or seniors holiday packages you may find social networking isn't for you.

Business cards are a fantastic way of advertising your business. It sounds obvious but just by handing out your card to anyone you meet can help drive customers to your business, particularly if you have all the right details and website on it.

Putting some thought into your stationery design can substantially effect the perception your customers have of you and if designed well can create an instant talking point.

Most business owners are too busy or not experienced when it comes to putting together advertising. The ideas and content behind advertising really are the most important part and shouldn't be overlooked or left up to a newspaper or magazine.

You don't need to spend a heap of time getting together some ideas, but there are a few steps we follow to make sure nothing is over looked. Check out our top 6 tips for organising your advertising space.