Marketing in a Turbulent Economy: How to Stay Top-of-Mind When Buyers Get Selective

· Small Business,Marketing,Marketing Tips

When the economy starts acting up, a lot of business owners go into panic mode. But here’s the deal: People don’t stop spending—they just get more intentional about what they spend on. So the question becomes: Are you showing up as the brand they trust the most?

Even with inflation and economic uncertainty on the rise, studies show that buyers are still spending—but they're making smarter, more calculated decisions. Transparency, consistent communication, and perceived value are the key factors shaping buying decisions in 2025. And if you're not staying visible, you're not even in the running.

The Power of a Marketing Baseline

Let’s be clear: marketing during economic instability isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. The smartest brands build out a marketing baseline: a set of simple, repeatable activities that keep your brand in front of your audience without burning you out.

That might look like:

  • 1 monthly email to your list
  • 2 social media posts a week
  • 1 networking event a week

That’s it. It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things consistently.

If you’re not sure what message you should be sharing or who you’re speaking to, revisit this breakdown of what good marketing really does.

Visibility Builds Trust

In an economy where price sensitivity is high and buyers are cautious, being the cheapest isn’t the win. Being the sure thing is. As Harvard Business Review points out, trust-building strategies—like clear messaging around pricing and consistent communication—are what drive loyalty during inflationary periods.

Not sure how to craft value-driven messaging? HubSpot’s small business marketing guide offers a practical framework for showing up consistently without draining your budget.

Outsource What You Hate (With a Plan)

Once your baseline is humming, start offloading what you hate. Maybe you dread email marketing or loathe writing Instagram captions. Cool—outsource it. But don’t do it blindly.

Build a system. Write a quick SOP (standard operating procedure) so your team or VA knows what tone to use, what to avoid, and how to get your message across clearly. It doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be repeatable.

Small Tweaks. Big Impact.

Don’t wait for the economy to settle. Build your resilience now by tightening your systems and clarifying your message. As the economy shifts, people aren’t buying less. Instead, they’re buying smarter.

The real question is: Will they choose you when it counts?

Take the First Step

Want help building a marketing system that works with your brain and your business?

Let’s make your brand the no-brainer choice—even in a turbulent market.