How to Promote a Recession Inspired Sale – Without Sounding Desperate

During an economic recession, you will inevitably need to lower pricing to maintain old customer relationships and ensure consistent new acquisitions.

However, it is very important to not let your clients know that your discounts are a result of the recession. First of all, the recession is depressing, and the customer will instantly associate your brand with unpleasant feelings about the economy. Secondly, it is best if customers view you as being impervious to the economic downfall. If customers view your brand as being recession-proof, they may begin to subconsciously associate your product and brand with durability and survivability.

Let’s review some tips on marketing a new discount without sounding desperate.

• Make Them Think It Was Planned All Along – If you are promoting a sudden sale or dramatic discount, choose language in your marketing materials that gives the customer the impression that it was in your plan all along. Phrases like “It’s finally here” and “Annual” can give the image that the new sale is completely standard procedure.
• Positive Budget Talk – It is acceptable to use words like “budget” and “efficient.” Encouraging customers to buy your product because it is being offered at a great deal is fine – but just avoid telling them to capitalize on the good deal because the economy is faltering and they have no other choice. The point is to encourage exercising fiscal responsibility and purchasing your product to save money. Just don’t feel the need to follow those claims up with negative discussions of the current economic climate.
• Avoid Threats – Believe it or not, many businesses resort to language that comes off as threatening. Don’t use phrases like “Capitalize on this great deal or you’ll be sorry tomorrow!” Especially in these trying times, customers don’t like to feel excessively pressured. You want to ensure that customers will purchase your product because they genuinely want to, not because they have to. If they purchase because of the latter, you are essentially guaranteed a return on your product.

In an economic recession, it is important to work to maintain existing relationships with solid customers. Even in your efforts to obtain new acquisitions, don’t forget to encourage positive, continuous relationships with your tried and true old customers.