BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – In the face of rising inflation and economic uncertainty, small businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Dave Charest, the Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, understands these challenges firsthand—and he’s on a mission to help.
Years ago, Charest launched his own business. However, he quickly realized that while he had a knack for marketing, running a business was a different beast altogether.
“I was not very great at it, but I was really good and I understood the marketing piece, and I was able to explain that to other people,” Charest said.
This realization led him to join Constant Contact, where he now leverages his marketing expertise to support small business owners nationwide. A recent study by the company highlighted the growing concerns among these entrepreneurs. According to the study, 81% of small business owners are anxious about the state of the economy, and 73% are unsure if their marketing strategies are effective.
“Although they’re feeling uncertain about it, they know one of the things they need to do is really think about paying more attention to what they’re doing from a marketing perspective,” Charest explained.
Charest’s advice is practical and actionable. He encourages business owners to take advantage of free resources, such as webinars, guides, and podcasts, to enhance their marketing skills. He also stresses the importance of community—whether through local chambers of commerce or SCORE chapters, small business owners can find valuable support networks.
In a time when every dollar counts, Charest suggests investing in affordable marketing tools like email and social media, which can offer a significant return on investment. He warns, however, against relying solely on social media due to ever-changing algorithms and advises businesses to build direct connections with their customers through email lists.
“Most business owners are business owners by trade, marketers by necessity,” Charest said. “It’s all about thinking about having a plan in place to communicate regularly.”
Charest’s passion for helping others stems from his own experiences and a deep respect for those who take the leap into entrepreneurship.
“At the end of the day, that’s what marketing really is. And it doesn’t have to cost a lot to be able to do that,” he said.
Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.
Copyright 2024 WBRC. All rights reserved.
