What to Do When Business Is Slow: Strategic Marketing Moves That Cost $0

Uncertainty is an everyday thought. We don’t know what the future holds, and with our current economic climate, it’s not uncommon to tighten the purse strings—especially with the “R word” being thrown around (recession).

All this is to say: you are not alone. We’re feeling it too—from client chatter to the headlines we try to avoid. There are a lot of businesses struggling or experiencing a slump. So if this is you, don’t worry; this is just a period of time, and it will eventually pass.

The best thing you can do for your business right now is focus on your brand. That could look like employee training, updating systems, or—our favorite—working on your marketing message, which happens to be the most likely tactic to fix your slow period. Hear us out.

Slow periods often come from a shortage of clients, and instead of losing momentum, it’s the perfect time to double down on your marketing efforts. Why? Because you finally have the time—and marketing is the magnet that brings in more clients.

Read on for actionable tactics that are free or budget-friendly to improve your marketing, even if you’re DIY-ing it right now.

Conduct an Assessment & Get Organized

The first step is to figure out where you are so you can make a plan of action. You can’t plan without first conducting a Social Media Audit & Self-Assessment (download here). This quick, one-page tool helps you assess your current social media efforts—and how you feel about them.

We recently asked our team for their favorite social media marketing advice, and almost all of them said the same thing: show up consistently and authentically.

But to show up consistently, you need a system that works. That’s why we created our Content Creation Dashboard & Calendar (download here). We literally put all our heads together to build a Google Sheet with every feature we wish we had when creating content—and we’re giving it to you for free.

No more wondering “Do I need to post today?” or “Where’s that Friday graphic?”— everything lives in one convenient place.

Apply Strategic Tactics from FWC

Did you know we give away a ton of free strategic advice? It’s true—because we genuinely want to see you succeed. The more small businesses that thrive, the better. So take advantage of the free tactics we offer. Here’s where to find them:
• The easiest way: Sign up for our newsletter (click here) to get biweekly emails packed with fresh strategies.
• The most timely: Follow us on social media for up-to-date tactics. Plus, we’re just a DM away if you have a question! Follow us on: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
• The most customized: Book a custom strategy session and get your Strategic Roadmap (click here). It’s everything you need to know what, when, and where to post for real results.
• The most in-depth: This blog. Yep, the one you’re reading right now is updated regularly with tactical advice and strategy you can actually use.

The FWC Team Is Here for You

We know it’s a challenging time, but we’re not going anywhere. So remember: we’re in your corner, cheering you on every time you post.

And when you’re ready to invest in your next level, we’ll be right here. In the meantime, say hi in our DMs or schedule a discovery call so you’re ready to move fast when the economy shifts—and your growth window opens.