No, I’m not going to talk about how to market the reform of healthcare. I’m not even going to talk politics.

I’m going to talk timeliness.

Just as this is the perfect time to use healthcare reform in a blog title, this may also be the perfect time for your business to invest in marketing. Now is the time to improve the health of your advertising and public relations, to lay the groundwork for new partnerships, to stop thinking about the future, and to start building the future.

Wait a minute. Go back a few lines. Did I just refer to marketing as an investment?

You bet.

It’s a common misconception that marketing is just a budget line item that you can reduce or completely strike out to cut costs. And who isn’t trying to reduce costs in a recession? So, many businesses treat marketing as an expendable luxury.

The truth is marketing is just as much a luxury to your business as blood is to your body. You can function with less, but you’ll do a whole lot better with the right amount.

And a recession is the perfect time to reassess and invest properly in marketing. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Your competition will likely do the opposite, which means you can increase your share of voice.

2. If you speak loudly (and clearly) now, customers will remember you when it’s time to start buying again.

3. The current demand for advertising space is relatively low, which can lead to more cost efficient media placement.

Want to find out more? Leave a comment to ask us a question. Or fill out a form to receive a free guide to advertising in a tough economy.