“We face a far greater risk of psychological depression than of economic recession.”

~ Todd G. Buchholz

“So… how’s Business?”

A friend of mine wrote a book with this title a few years ago because it’s the question he always uses as a conversation starter when networking.

My issue with this as a starting point is that it often makes them focus on being a victim, rather than on the things they can control and influence.

In the current climate, I’ve noticed a clear divide in how people are feeling about their business and future in the midst of uncertainty that isn’t based on reality as much as it is based on perception and on the quality of their mailing list.

Recently, I’ve seen people like my friend Lou who do a fantastic job but don’t persistently put themselves out in the marketplace…  suffering.

At the same time, guys like Ari who are always thinking about how they can create opportunities no matter what the government does… have just had a string of bumper months.

Would it surprise you to know that Ari is in the restaurant business in Victoria (which has been in lockdown for nearly four months) and that Lou is a highly respected financial consultant?

It’s Your Choice!

When I was talking to Ari, I asked him what he thought was the secret of his success…

“It’s not a secret, Debra, it’s a choice.

You know that, because you told me about it when you showed me how to set up my systems. It’s the choice to do something every single day to show people you exist and you solve a problem.

OK, it helps that I followed your instructions and started building a customer list back in 2015 and have communicated regularly with them ever since, but the big difference is that I choose to keep talking to them every day, helping them feel their loneliness and offering them the chance to ‘eat virtually with friends’.”

It’s true!

Ari has used his list creatively to reach out and offer opportunities for people to use his services. His wife Suzette has done the same thing in her beauty business. She can’t see clients herself, but she is sending out product packets and coaching clients so they can do their own skin and beauty care at home. As a result, she has not only generated almost as much income as she usually does, but also created a huge wave of loyalty and support by providing her clients with this special opportunity.

They made a choice: firstly, to build a list and secondly, to make offers to that list.

Are You a Winner?

This market offers tremendous opportunity in just about every sector IF you are willing to think creatively and positively, but you won’t see it unless you STOP listening to the media and their reports of doom and gloom.

I believe that the biggest risk to our mental and physical well-being and our economy lies in loss of hope and general inertia and dependence. It could even become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

However…

Even in an economic downturn there are winners.

And historically… most of those winners have believed in direct response marketing – showing people the true depths of their pain… then offering believable relief.

In my way of thinking, letting yourself get pulled down into misery doesn’t help anyone. Looking for solutions, however, has tremendous potential to change both your own outlook and to help others around you.

What Problem Do You Solve?

If you want to take the short, self-centred, view:

Rarely in all of history has there been so much public despair and pain.

And never has there been such a desperate longing for relief.

IF you have a solution to a problem that people are currently feeling the weight of…

THEN…

IF you have a compassionate bone in your body, it is your moral responsibility to get out there and tell them about it.

There is enough incurable misery in the world without you adding to it by withholding solutions that you can easily sell to alleviate the curable elements.

So… What are you going to do about it today?

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Every week on Tuesday and Friday I send challenging, encouraging, and entertaining emails focusing on business-building and direct response marketing as well as special offers that will help you generate leads and increase your profits (if you apply them).

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