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Are you cutting your budgets because of the economic turbulence ahead? Lots of small business folks are, maybe rightly so. Perhaps this is a time accelerate some things and cut out others, but don't just stop. There are various schools of thought on how to navigate choppy waters, and lowering costs is always good, however just don't let it dominate your every move. During these troubled times do not become paralyzed, and in fact capitalize on your competitors trepidation. 

These are certainly some pretty strange economic times for small business owners and lots of folks are afraid, understandably. And, all indicators point to a pretty tough 2009. So, what are you going to do, pack up the tent stakes or wrestle down this dragon? 

It has been said; it isn't what you know, but who you know.

Personally, I don't think it is as much about who you know, as it is, who knows YOU. This is especially true when you own a small business. How can you maximize your personal outreach with out maxing out your calendar or your budget?  Educational events.

As a tag to Beth Harte's twitter post, I wanted to share a story that is from First Hand Information. Not to digress, but my old boss, turned mentor, had one of many sayings, but one that has stuck with me is "Do you have first hand information" and to him, if it wasn't first hand information, it wasn't credible. Well, my story here is First hand Information, so I hope you find it credible.

The difference between number one and number two is typically rather significant. The leaders, those who Break from the Pack of Commodity do so by challenging the typical norm, with courage, absent fear.

The metaphor of red and blue oceans describes the market universe. Red oceans are all the industries in existence today--the known market space. In the red oceans, industry boundaries are defined and accepted, and the competitive rules of the game are known. Here companies try to outperform their rivals to grab a greater share of product or service demand. As the market space gets crowded, prospects for profits and growth are reduced. Products become commodities or niche, and cutthroat competition turns the red ocean bloody.

The name is King. Burger King. And this is how the King rolls.

I've been fascinated by Burger King's marketing campaigns for a long time. Do you remember when they came out with the little blurbs found on their burger wrappers, fry containers and soda cups? Then they got some of those cool blurbs in the store (I read a clever one on the garbage bin last week.) And then a couple years ago Burger King came out with some Xbox video games.

Jim recommends setting up an "ask the expert" blog for your business. Regardless of what your business topic is, there will be people who have questions. Questions that you will be able answer as a business owner in that topic. The content generates itself.

From the mad genius of Internet marketing.