outright communications header

Friday, January 16, 2009

Weather the Storm- How to Succeed through an Economic Downturn


With all the negative publicity going on in the world about the economy, it’s difficult not to get depressed. But don’t let it get you down so much that you end up sitting around watching businesses fold around you waiting for your turn. Don’t wait to see what might happen, now is the time to be positive and focus on gaining new clients.

Before launching OutRight Communications, I was laid off from my job as a Marketing Manager at a magazine publishing company. They had ceased their publication and I was expecting my first child. At the time, I thought all the doors to new opportunities had suddenly closed. That situation eerily relates to the current economy with employee lay offs and businesses closing their doors. What do you do when it seems so bleak?

Back then, I thought no one was going to hire me with my continually expanding stomach. While I went through the motions of applying for jobs and going to interviews, I was also trying to conceal my situation. Now that I look back, I wonder what I was thinking. The chances were slim that anyone was going to hire me in the position that I was in.

Then it came to me! Develop myself as a person and get back to doing what I did best. Marketing. So I took the plunge and opened a home-based marketing and design firm, OutRight Communications, so I could spend time with my little one.

And you know what? I got through that tough time. I’m not saying it was easy, but it was a risk I needed to take. Now four years later with my second child almost 8 months old, the business has moved out of my home, into an office location, and I now have 4 full time and 3 part time staff. The business is a success!


My advice? Weather the Storm. Start thinking big and NEVER give up! Develop yourself and your skills and talents, grow your business, take calculated risks, and face challenges without fear. Most importantly, have a positive outlook for the future, no matter how bleak it may look. Don’t ignore what’s happening in the real world around you, just be practical, and make good choices. That’s what life AND business is all about!

This year, I’ve made it my mission to make this year the best year that we have had yet in business. Realistically, can this happen with the way people are tightening their purses while they wait to see what happens next with the economy?

At this point, it’s anyone’s guess. But, as long as I have BIG goals and stick to them– anything is possible, right? How do I plan on making this happen?

By adapting my business practices and looking at fresh ideas and tactics.

I’m focusing on how to reach customers who

1.) Can’t afford our services and 2.) Don’t want to outsource marketing and design activities, and who instead want to do everything themselves.

Why am I going to do this? So I can show others how to do things the ‘right way’ so they come to us BEFORE they try to do all their projects themselves and become frustrated and angry at the wasted hours and extra costs– all because they thought they were going to save money.

One of the ways we will reach these types of individuals is through our Do-it-Yourself Interactive Workshops, speaking engagements, and by teaching courses at colleges, conferences, and universities.

As one component of our overall marketing strategy, we will be targeting a market that may not have otherwise invested money with us.

Other avenues we are exploring include sponsoring events, seeking like-minded partners, and joining memberships that our primary target audience is present at, using the media and article submissions to get the word out about our firm, and finally, spending time on our company marketing on a regular basis.

Don’t forget- customers need you now more than ever so their businesses will survive. As a business owner, you must be proactive- not reactive. Steal the market by doing as much marketing for your business as possible. While your competition is putting a pause on marketing waiting to see what ‘might’ happen- this is your chance to make it big!

If you need help with marketing your business contact us at: 780.406.8045.
Visit: www.outrightcommunications.com and sign up for our E-ZINE for marketing tips and for our FREE Report: 5 Simple Strategies for INSTANT Exposure!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Agents and Publicity- the perfect combination


So this week we are thrilled to announce that we are now partnering with Brian Wood, a Literary Agent from Vancouver. Never before has book publicity, marketing, and design been combined with the skills of a literary agent to help writers and authors those final steps into the world of publishing.

Now OutRight Communications can offer something to writers that hasn't been done before- all the steps to take from the printed word to a deal on the table.
Some of Brian's latest books include:

Memphis Blues BBQ, Whitecap ( April 2008- and was #1 on the BC bestseller list for over 3 weeks- and has now sold out it's first printing)
Where People Feast: Arsenal Pulp Press- April 2007
Why the Leafs Stink: Al Strachan, HarperCollins- August 2009
Crazy Hockey Dad: Bob McKenzie, John Wiley- September 2009
A Life in the News: Tony Parsons, Harbour- October 2009

Brian's specialty is non-fiction and he's very excited about working with the team at Outright Communications, and we reciprocate the feelings.

2009 is a bold new year for the world of books and business. Make sure you join us:
Sign up for our new e-zine at www.outrightcommunications.com!