Give Your Clients Something--Anything

It's amazing how resourceful companies are getting in today's economy. Even companies with little or nothing left to give (insert vacation prizes or a Nintendo Wii to the first 5 subscribers here) are managing to muster up something to give their clients...or at least a marketing campaign to make their clients FEEL like they are getting something.

Take for example, Ford Motor Company's "Payment Protection Program" with which buyers are motivated to spend money given the peace of mind that should they lose their job, Ford will cover their car payment for up to 12 months.

And, I heard a radio ad the other day by Frito-Lay, who is putting up to 20% more product in specially selected food products at no extra charge to the consumer.  

Yes, there is month 13 and that customer might still not have a job. Yes, Frito-Lay's current campaign sort of scoots over the fact that they previously reduced the amount of product in their packaging without reducing the price (a practice in the industry called "weight out").

But this is now.

So dig deep. What can you give your customers that they don't have and won't cost your business an arm and a leg?  Peace of mind? A feeling of contentment in an uncertain time? More chips? Whatever it is, make sure they know about it. Now.

 Make sure they know you feel their pain.