Affordable marketing for Lancashire SMEs in lockdown

By 52M Consulting Ltd

14 Apr 2020

Most small business owners and managers will instinctively be cutting back on spending wherever they can right now in order to conserve cash and weather the current economic storm caused by the Coronavirus lockdown.

But according to experts at 52M Consulting, marketing budgets should be spared the knife and even increased right now.

It points to evidence from previous world recessions that suggests those businesses which continue to invest in marketing during an economic slowdown are the ones that bounce back fastest, often gaining market share in the process. For instance, during the Amercian recession of the early 1920s, advertising executive Roland S. Vaile tracked the performance of 200 companies. He reported that the ones that had continued to advertise during the downturn were 20% ahead of where they'd been pre-recession, while companies that reduced advertising were still effectively in recession years later, 7% below there 1920 levels.

However, with many businesses choosing to furlough staff, it's possible that even those that want to keep their businesses and brands visible may not find it easy to do so because they will have shed some in-house capability.

"The rules on accessing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme are clear: furloughed employees are not permitted to undertake any work for their employers whilst laid off," said Lee Petts, managing director at 52M Consulting.

"This means that even those businesses that recognise the need to stay 'front of mind' amongst their customer and prospect audiences may not be able to do so because their people have all been furloughed and there's nobody left to actually do the work.

"In response to this challenge, we've launched a brand new suite of affordable services called 'Lockdown Leapfrog' that will enable small businesses to outsource their marketing and promotional needs to us on a 'tickover' basis whilst the economy remains on lockdown, with payment deferred for three months to ease pressure on cash flow."

Although the current period of lockdown was initially expected to last three weeks, there are now signs that strict social distancing restrictions may be in place for much longer, with Michael Gove MP telling a recent press conference that society and the economy may need to remain in lockdown for three months.

even those businesses that recognise the need to stay 'front of mind' amongst their customer and prospect audiences may not be able to do so because their people have all been furloughed

"Three weeks of lockdown was probably just about tolerable for most businesses, but three months will be a real struggle. Any business that 'goes dark' for that long risks a much slower and more costly return to 'business as usual' when we finally get past the Coronavirus pandemic. It's vital to stay visible and that's what we're hoping to help Lancashire businesses do."

Lancashire SMEs can find out more and sign-up for Lockdown Leapfrog at www.thinkblackdot.com/lockdownleapfrog

As well as its paid services, 52M Consulting is also helping local firms keep up appearances by including their logos and website links in its regular e-newsletter for free. The bulletin goes out weekly to over 5,500 recipient businesses located in Lancashire. Businesses wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should email [email protected] to enquire further.

Enjoyed this? Read more from 52M Consulting Ltd

Latest news

1

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November Gary McEwan managing director of Interfloor

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November

10 Sep 2025

2

Lancashire Combined County Authority unveil plan to Get Lancashire Working Lancashire Combined Authority

Lancashire Combined County Authority unveil plan to Get Lancashire Working

10 Sep 2025

3

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration Collaboration between BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration

09 Sep 2025

4

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme Brian Moore, Lee Johnson, Anne Williamson and Andrew Leeming

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme

08 Sep 2025

5

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions Mark Adlestone And Anna Blackburn Beaverbrooks

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions

08 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin