When the economy takes a downturn, the worst thing you can do is nothing

We’re all feeling it. Headlines shouting about tariffs. Our networks whispering slowdowns. And for many of our local clients? It’s already here. Just a year ago, you couldn’t get a window replaced without waiting three months. Now? That same crew might be available next week. And why? Cause they simply aren’t that busy anymore.

Whether we’re expecting a short stumble or a long haul downturn, no one really knows. But one thing is clear: people are tightening their purse strings.

That means longer decision-making, more price shopping, and in many cases, holding off on big-ticket expenses altogether. For businesses, that translates to more competition, fewer leads, and rising costs. Sorry to be all doom and gloom, but scary, ha? Not exactly a dreamy combo.

And when inquiries slow or referrals dry up, it gets intimidating fast. But here’s the truth we’ve seen play out again and again: the worst move you can make is doing nothing.

Our client, Source Landscaping sitting neatly at the top spot of Google search.

Get creative & be smart about your marketing

Marketing is often the first thing on the chopping block when times get tough. We get it—it's the most flexible line item, and payroll and other costs rightfully take priority. But here’s the catch: when traffic (online, in-store, wherever) slows down, the last thing you want to do is disappear.

As a business owner, hell yeah, you need to be smart with your spending. Be cautious. But—and it’s a big BUT—you’ve got to stay visible and get in front of your customers. That might mean stepping up your social media game, tapping into organic tactics, or leaning into low-cost, high-impact marketing channels. Stay ahead of your competition.

This is for the folks in the back row: SEO

Lately, we’ve been beating the SEO drum hard—and yes, we have skin in the game. It’s one of the services we offer, and like you, we’re feeling the market shift too. Full transparency. But we also nerd out on this stuff because we’ve seen what it does for our clients: it works. It drives traffic. It drives sales. And unlike paid ads, it’s a fixed budget with long-term results.

So here’s our not-so-shameless spiel: if you want to stay top of mind—and at the top of search—when referrals fade and competition heats up, SEO is one of the smartest ways to stay in the game. Cause let’s be honest: Nobody’s hiring from page five.

At The Après Club, we help businesses build rock-solid visibility and get in front of their audience in creative, cost-effective ways. So yes, be thoughtful. Be strategic. But for the love of your business—do not sit back and do nothing.