2020 in review
5 January 2021
A year that no one could have predicted. It was a rollercoaster of a year – locked down in March, I hit my one-year business anniversary in July, I picked up my first international client in August and my first virtual marketing manager clients in September. I couldn’t have imagined at the start of the year that we would end the year in lockdown, and even if I had, I wouldn’t have imagined that my business would be where it is today.
The downturn
Towards the end of 2019, I wrote a blog about how businesses survive a recession – I had no idea one was around the corner. One thing that is the case in every recession, is the fat that those who cut their marketing spend suffer, lose more business during the recession, and take longer to recover once it is over. So far, the pattern is holding out – even though this economic downturn and the cause are unprecedented.
Of course, some businesses cannot trade at all right now. But for others, I can see that it is those that have stayed visible who have not only survived but grown. It has been challenging, and like others, I have had to work harder than ever to win business, but Labrakita Marketing has grown too – even having to outsource some of the work I usually do myself.
The support
I launched the business in 2019, and in my review for the year, I thanked all the people who supported me. In 2020 every business owner I know was out there actively helping people out. Last year we were all supporting each other, which was a fantastic thing to be a part of. Networking became even more important than ever, even though we couldn’t do it face to face. Zoom kept me not only visible but sane! I even took on running Business IQ West Lothian while it was online (although I have to admit I thought that situation was going to be a lot more temporary than it was – we have 2021 events booked in already) as well as continuing to be a Group Leader for 4N in Scotland.
Looking towards 2021
Having built up a great network of experts, I decided to book specialists in marketing fields or fields related to marketing. I booked a lot of interviews in January thinking it would be quiet (spoiler alert – January is no longer looking quiet) so I would be able to provide even more valuable content for you (look out for these – I will be publishing one per month on here and on Social Media, starting with Steve Ponton in January).
I took two weeks off over Christmas. Like a lot of others, I desperately needed it. 2020 was exhausting, but I’ve come back to work bursting with ideas and ready to get cracking on 2021 and making it Labrakita Marketing’s best year yet – watch this space!
If you need any help with your marketing in 2021 call me on 07791 521439 or email me at samantha@labrakita.co.uk