market that thrives in a poor economy, you should investigate promotional advertising.

I've been home-bound for the past week with bronchitis, yet, my business is thriving. Customers in my local market as well existing and new online customers have been calling or emailing me orders on a daily basis.

I had over $2600 in sales last week, and did another $1600 today. I know I have a dozen more orders pending without me leaving the house this week, as well as a couple more dozen when I am able to get out and about.

With an average order of just $400, that is $13,000 pending at present. I also have a state fish and wildlife agency looking to order 2 million tyvek sleeves for their new licensing program.

In tough markets, promotional advertising booms while the mass media generally suffers. In good times and bad the promotional industry has done well in the last two decades, and has recently grown to over $18 Billion in annual sales in the US market.

You only have to get a niche in this market to do well.

As for the food sales during a crisis, this market was saturated during the Y2K scare, and some people still have long-term storage groceries and/or a bad taste left in their mouth from that one.

Consequently, many of those who did a good volume in food business during that crisis, have since left the industry.

Similarly, those who sold flags and other patriotic items in the aftermath of the 9/11 atrocities may have suffered from the negative perception of "Capitalism by Crisis". Somewhat like the pirateers who try jacking up the price of gasoline after a disaster.

I personally choose to seek positive marketing options. I had a number of orders for red, white, and blue or flag imprints after 9/11, but that was based on the clients request, not my marketing.

Dennis Bevers


Marketing products for good and bad times!