WITH MANY businesses struggling to keep afloat, this is not the time to let up on your marketing activities.

It’s imperative that you do not let the recession paralyse your creative endeavours, because you are focussing on stress and struggle instead of innovate ways to get your business to thrive. We all know the downturn is showing no signs of becoming an upturn any day soon, so here are a few tips to make sure that you maintain your passion; increase your business profile and boost profits on a shoestring?

Here are my top 10 recession proof branding strategies for small business success:-

1. Update your business stationery
Make sure you have business stationery that visualises your brand in the most professional and positive light. If you don’t take yourself seriously, then why should your prospective clients. It’s worth investing in a graphic designer to get your image right to avoid costly reinvention further down your business life. Make sure you put your email, website and contact number on your business stationery – you will be surprised how many people forget to include ALL these vital information.

Get your business cards into the hand of anyone who can help you in your search for new clients. Call your friends and relatives and tell them you have started a business. Give them your business cards to hand out to their friends and colleagues.

As you start to earn more money make sure that you invest in branded promotional products such as pens, key rings, note books etc. Get banners made and promotional brochures designed. A great way to get noticed is to have your business name and contact information professionally painted on the side of your vehicle to advertise your business.

2. Supercharge your social media campaign
Don’t under estimate the value of setting up your business profile on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Ensure that the copy you use for each medium is appropriate and relevant to the target market and provides a link to your official website or blog. These sites have great groups that you should join so you can promote (not spam) your services and products as well as participate in the conversations. Make sure you get testimonials and recommendations to add to your page to increase your credibility.
If you have not done so yet, start a blog and get business acquaintances and friends to comment and where possible write guest posts for you. Comment on other people’s blogs by writing something useful and helpful and remember to add your web address.

Once you get really comfortable with your social media start introducing videos and webinars to further establish yourself as a thought leader in your sector.

3. Create a customer database
You will be amazed how many people do not have a formal database of customer contacts. It’s important that you collect and store contact details of your clients. This is vital for small businesses because every customer's contact details should be valued like real cash.
On your website you should have a section where people can join up and receive regular information and posts for you. Make this attractive by offering a newsletter or Hints and Tips sheet that is useful to your clients.

Capturing contact data is great for relationship and marketing activities and keeps your customers informed, aware and up-to-date about your business activities.

4. Design a email newsletter
Create a Newsletter that provides tips and techniques; promotes your services and keeps your business at the forefront of your customers’ mind. This is not a service that is applicable only to large companies. It is relatively easy to set up and send out using your PC.

If you are not sure how to do this, barter your services with a company that can design your newsletter and get industry peers to contribute articles that are interesting to your customers.

5. Network strategically
Get out on the professional networking circuit with your business cards and a well rehearsed and compelling elevator pitch to promote what you do. More importantly when networking give people a chance to talk and listen to what they do. People buy people, so networking provides the greatest opportunity to develop relationships, build trust and generate sale(s).

Join your local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, BNI or business network group e.g. Let’s Talk Business where you can develop prospects relevant and applicable to your business needs. You will acquire leads and gain the opportunity to work in partnerships or form consortiums with others who are doing the same type of work as you.

6. Form partnerships
Form partnerships with other business owners who are supplying the same market but sell different products and services. Make arrangements to pass leads back and forth, or share mailings and e-shots to reach a wider and more diverse customer base. A great example is if you are an event planner, why not team up with a florist and cake baker and offer a wedding service package to brides and pool your resources to exhibit at wedding exhibitions. You could even come together to put a newsletter together and send out to your contacts or why not put on an event together where you can display and promote your services directly to your target market.

7. Get on the speaking circuit
Where possible offer your speaking services at conferences, seminars and workshops which will help to raise your profile and establish you as a leading authority on your subject matter. Potential clients get the opportunity to learn about your company and your services.

If your product or service is appropriate, give demonstrations and freebies at events. There are a multitude of events taking place each week and you should find the ones best suited for your business in order to increase the visibility of your products and service. Why not offer special discounts to attendees at seminars to stimulate sales.

8. Pick up the phone
Make sure you are constantly marketing to your existing clients. By picking up the telephone you are still reaching out and reminding them that you are ready to do business.

Let existing customers, prospects and acquaintances know that you would welcome referrals but make sure that you follow up leads when they are passed on to you.

It’s also a good idea to take time out each week to make "cold calls" to people who you would like to do business with. Briefly describe what you do and ask for an appointment to talk to them about ways you can help them meet a need or solve a problem.

You can offer a free, no obligation consultation for those customers who you believe would most benefit from using your services. Where appropriate, at the end of the consultation why not offer some practical suggestions or ideas for their business and suggest they place an "order" to implement the ideas.

Don’t forget to have sales letters, flyers and other pertinent company information printed and ready to send out to perspective leads after your call.

9. Form a Mastermind Group
Why not get together with a group of business professionals and specialists who understand your business and brainstorm potential opportunities and ideas.

Pick people who have the right attitude and will be honest with you to ensure that you reach your respective goals more quickly and harmoniously. The group should be able to challenge, resolve conflicts and everyone should be accountable. It’s always good to have professionals outside your niche to reveal blind spots and offer differing perspectives to the issue at hand. Mastermind groups help to bring more clarity and focus to your goals.

10. Give back
Corporate Social Responsibility is not only for the big corporations. Whether its formally donating to a charity of choice or helping in the local community, get out there and fundraise in company branded T-shirts and let the press know what you are doing. This generates great publicity and gets your name out in your local comm