What sells during a Recession

how to save more money...

Food, water, guns, ammo, books, gas, etc... Pretty much anything life still goes on regardless. I think people actually open their eyes more now and see where the best bargains are. I see a lot of my friends and family research on the net where they can get the prices. (they used to just buy whatever was in front of them if it looked good at the time.)

unfortunately alcohol sales go up too.

Anything useful for under $10.

Credit Scores
Credit Reports
Credit Repair

...Doug

Starbucks and fitness equipment..gotta work that stress out somehow!

Everything sells during a recession, because the rich will keep buying what the rich always buy. If they have money, they will keep spending.

A rich person won't suddenly be looking to spend $2 on a meal if they normally spend $200 on a meal. They might compromise and spend $150 but they will not be going cheap.

Coming from an oilman:

People things are desperate for, and need, despite the cost.

I heard Mc Donald's stock went up 8% last month. That's one company that's will always outlast a recession... a the risk of everyone's health, that it.

I seen on the news that canned meat sales are up, so spam recipes would probably do really good right now.

I've been through several recessions as a marketer...mostly offline in the 80's and all online in the 90's. What sells best in bad times truly depends on who you're looking to sell to.

Consumers, in general, will tighten budgets and cut out many of the frills and non-essentials. This is a good time to understand mazlow's hierarchy of needs and also to understand that people will tend to move more decisively toward things that they perceive will help them ease/avoid the pain and uncertainty they're experiencing.

Because of the amount of job loss now and to come there will be an increasing number of people looking for "non-traditional" ways to make money and/or replace lost income. Obviously there's been a huge trend with people looking online for these alternatives well ahead of this recesssion...but that trend will increase exponentially over the next few years.

If you want to serve the type of consumers most directly affected by recession (as opposed to the everyday "opportunity seeker" types that exist in all economies) then get back to the basics of helping people save money/get more value from the things they need and do already.

Provide quality information that forms the basis for breeding trust and credibility to separate yourself from the mass of people out for a quick buck or who will try to take advantage of people looking for alternatives. The number of scam artists and charlatans online will increase rapidly the more difficult the economy becomes.

As for marketing to businesses, recessions provide a great opportunity to help small business maximize their marketing efforts. Small business is generally the first to feel the pain of a recession, yet also the first to recover from it on the other side.

Not unlike the consumer market, delivering greater value and proven, measurable ways to help businesses get more from their existing budgets is key.There's a great ongoing thread here that's discussing this that's loaded with ideas. It was started by David Preston and is titled "Here's a Stupid Simple Cash Cow and it's Free" (or something like that). You can't miss it...it's one of the most popular threads on the forum and has been for weeks.

One important thing to mention about being successful as things get tighter is this...focus. This is not the time to bounce from idea to idea. Decide who you want to sell to and get intimate with that market.

Some people will go for a "I want to help the masses" approach, which is fine and can be very effective...if you don't mind competing on price and having to adjust to the natural down pressure put on pricing of commodity items in a recession.

Personally, I believe that a recession is time to become all the more stronger at targeting your marketing to those who you know for certain can afford the products or services you're offering. One of the best ways I've found to do this is by enhancing the reach, effectiveness or value received for already existing expenses...especially for small and medium sized business. That way you aren't talking about spending new/more money...just getting more from what's already being spent.

The tendency in business is to cut marketing budgets in times of economic uncertainty when, in fact, smart businesses do just the opposite. And it's the same for those consumer markets who have discretionary funds available...where everyone else seems to be selling, the smartest folks in this group will be buying.

Many of the greatest fortunes in history were made during the worst economic times. Become great at showing both businesses and consumers money they have where they thought there was none...and then how to leverage it for maximum value and return on investment. Do that and you will experience nearly instant (and lasting) success.

Great Thread...

Ramen Noodles and Spam might sell well, but products like recipes using the stuff probably would not do well- people surviving on that stuff would find recipes free, not shell out money for them... JMHO

These niches sell better during recession:

-sex toys;
-dating;

Reference:
Racked: Babeland: Not Feeling the Recession

Downturn? What downturn? Sales of Kama Sutra products and online dating memberships soar

Dietary and weightloss programs,skincare, general well-being products, herbalife themselves have been through recessions since they were established in 1980 and have always seen continued growth due to being part of the baby boom industry, which has now become a trillion dollar market.

Hey bro...

I've answered this OP et al... numerous times on this forum...but here goes again....THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE RECESSION PROOF.

Have been since the beginning of time...and will continue to be. They represent the heart and soul of every great offer.

Moving along....

Since when did the so-called "recession" become some niche????

What makes you think a recession is a well defined market worth targeting???

Cuz it seems to me it's hard to hit a target if you can't really locate it?

And I don't believe a recession is a target, market, niche...or anything else that's really tangible.
.
A so-called recession isn't a niche. It's not a demographic. It's not really anything but a mindset.....

I'm not in a recession. Sorry...I don't care what the state of the economy feels like or what they play on the news....I'm not interested in buying your second hand socks! Or your coupons for a free Biggy Fry and soda pop at Jacky Burgers. So don't bother pitching me.

Most of my friends arn't in a recession either. But are you going to assume...and pitch them too?

Why would anyone want that market anyway...assuming it does exist?

It's like pushing high end million dollar condo's to single moms on welfare? Doesn't make sense.

I'm sorry...but Vinnie aint buyin' into the recession hype. I certainly am not interested in trying to find out what it is..or who comprises it..either.

Nor am I going to bend for it...and drop prices...or try and figure out what broke people can't afford to buy...so I can try and sell it to them anyway. UGGGGG!




xxx Vegas Vince

How to Grocery Shop for a family of four for less than $150. I'd buy it!

I was successful as a film star for a while... before the accident... ummm---

yeah i think anything that can make a person money will still sell, as long as it looks extremely legit. people are still weary of spending money, got to make them believe.

Well, you can look at TV. It seems the fantasy of
sort of coming into money quickly is quite popular:

"My Secret Millionaire" - in which a millionaire secretly
works for lower income people for minimum wage and
if they treat him nicely he tells his secret and gives
them a bunch of money at the end.

"Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire" - in which woman
vie to marry a wealthy man.

"The Batchelor" - in which a bevy of women vie to marry a
successful batchelor.

Uggh.

During the Great Depression the "lifestyles of the rich and
famous" films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Busby
Berkely musicals sold millions of tickets. The cinema was
a respite from the harshness of real life.

-making money, but lower ticket items these days
-dating is hot (people looking for escape, comfort)
-affiliate marketing seems busy

Cheers,
Peter

To all readers of this thread, PM me and i'll give you a review copy of "Recession Advantage", my new ebook on how to takle advantage of teh recession.

(im not posting a separate thread because I don't want a million requests. people in this thread are obviously looking for information on the recession and how to benefit- and so make for good readers, critique-ers and testimonial-givers.)

Izzy

Advice and education in money making activities such as internet marketing, Forex Trading, home based business, etc

Improving Health and well being

Coffee and quick meals could sell well as people looks for ways to stay awake and squeeze more time out of a full day.

This has been selling like crazy for me in this recession:

http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...thank-you.html

People will be doing less buying, and more maintaining. So anything to do with repair, maintenance, and DIY will be and are big sellers.

Try and think about stuff that people really need. Things that create discomfort, like health issues.

Think about what you would spend money on with a limited budget?

Matt

This thread has made me do some thinking...I am a true believer that what makes you genuinely passionate translates to people in a positive way. Folks can see through an "offer" that is opportunistic, but if you know what you're talking about/doing/teaching etc., & share your joy of that process, people will respond. Barbara

Funeral Homes, Mortuaries, and Dollar General stores

Wow. this thread is giving me the goosebumps! Thank You All!!

I do not want to sound offensive to anyone but religious products will sell well. Many people who are in tough times start going to church and look for higher power to help them through rough patches.

HOPE

It sells pretty well in good times, but BOY does it sell in times of desperation.

Products related to Birth, Marriage and Death. They don't stop happening during a recession.

Also job hunting products, for obvious reasons, however, it can be a tough market to sell to unless the product is solid as a rock.

1) How to Find a Job (as much as they hate it, but they need it)
2) FOREX
3) Health and Fitness (stress relief, insomnia cure, etc.)
4) Law of Attraction

I'm going to try and compete with a product in the fitness/weight loss niche...

No matter what the economic condition the following will always thrive.

Tobacco, Alcohol, Cosmetics, Personal Entertainment.

Here are a few that I can think of in about 5 minutes.

1. God / Spirituality concepts
2. Self Help or Inspirational media
3. Physical products that stretch like canned goods, dry goods.
4. Recession prompts investors to buy Real Estate, Stocks
5. Silver
6. Used Cars
7. Money Making Seminars
8. DIY manuals, tutorials, media. For Example: "How to Care for Ill Family
Members". or "How to Fix your Own Transmission". Big Cost Cutters.
9. Dollar stores and Thrift stores rise to the occasion.
10. Garage or Estate sales "sell" really well during economic downturns.
11. Answers to questions like, "What sells during a Recession?" tend to
do really well.

Toothpaste. Pepsodent, actually.

Here's the deal... Studs Terkel once did an interview with a guy who worked on the Pepsodent account at an ad firm during the Great Depression.

One night, this guy was walking down the street and he noticed how few people were out and about. As he walked, he could hear radios in house after house all tuned to the same station, listening to the same program.

Apparently, people were too broke to go out and were staying at home with the radio, instead.

The next day, he got started on transitioning Pepsodent's marketing strategy to take advantage of the increasing popularity of radio.

Next thing you know, Pepsodent is gaining market share and the ad guy is actually doing better during the Great Depression than he as during the Roaring Twenties.

One lesson from that tale might be to stick with marketing something people need, like toothpaste, regardless of the economy.

The more interesting lesson might be that how you sell something can be just as important as what you're selling.

The Internet allows you to sell anything to anyone at anytime and at anywhere around the world. Apart from that, it also allows you to work anywhere, as long as an Internet connection is available.

Anything that can help people in all industries to get more customers will sell well. I Buzz Pro voice broadcasting software is going well for me because everyone wants more customers, and anything that you can market to people offline is good, for instance I can market I Buzz Pro to realtors, mortgage brokers, doctors, Network Marketers you name it! Having something you can sell to lots of different people is going to give you more freedom.

Recession or no recession. Sex Always Sells.

Number 8 A.L.W.A.Y.S :rolleyes:

Information on niches which make money during recession

No kidding: something like "Get out of Debt" should work extremely well if priced correctly

GOLD - Can't miss and food, the next best choice.

Don't forget pets! Still have to feed Fido and Sylvester. People love their pets, so I imagine they'll still get a lot, if not more, attention. Might be a good niche or 2 here.

ammunition

Weight Loss and Fitness Niches

everyone right now is looking for a way to make money and stay happy so either one of those i say.

Nice quality information in this thread. A lot of things I did not think about. Thanks for sharing!

Id never accept ammunition money.

Cheap jewelry. A friend of mine is in the jewelry business, and a wholesaler is here now, she says business is booming. And, this is in Bali.

This is not necessarily true...

people eat more fast food when there is no money...

people buy "non organic" foods...

soda is cheaper then Juice.....

and people eat as comfort food when they are nervous (job loss, no money, etc.)

so people GAIN wait during a recession.

Food sells always.

great thread and very useful and informative

I would buy credible information about "How to overcome recession and secure your lifestyle - 101 crisis proof strategies and tactics". ))

Just about anything "recession-proof" will sell.

Cheap travel. I'm actually targeting this one.

What still sells during a recession?

Alcohol, tobacco, narcotics, guns and other pharmaceuticals. They all EASE the pain of the recession.

Look at what businesses survived during and PAST the Great Depression? Breweries, Big Tobacco, drugs, firearm makers and healthcare.

People didn't stop at ANY cost to stop getting drunk, getting high, getting treatment, or simply sucking on a cancer stick to shut them the hell up from cryin' and complaining about tough times.

I look in my own neighborhood. Just about everyone is piss poor, yet they still buy 40's, hard liquor, menthol cigarettes, marijuana, crack, coke, heroin, guns, ammo, hookers, and they're proud of their state-issued welfare version of health insurance.


No matter what happens, people will still blow their last dollar on smoking, drinking, killing and staying alive.

I recently wrote an article at a well known site that adresses 4 types of home based businesses that do well in recession times and beyond. It basically identifies 4 businesses which have done good before, during, and after bad economic times. Even though, once you put your thinking caps on, I'm sure you can identify many more, the 4 I identified are as follows.

1. Utilities: Telephone services have been deregulated nationwide, and electricity services have been deregulated in many, if not most states. As you can see by the radio, newspapers, TV, and direct mail advertisemants, telephone and electricity services are doing very well. As a matter of fact, there is currently a report on AOL listing Verizon as being one of the top companies that will not be laying off or firing anyone and is still showing great growth.

I'm sure many of you, like me, have been bombarded with direct mail pieces from various telephone and electricity providers offering great deals for you to switch over to their service. They are making profits and growing. Many folks do not like or care for network marking programs, but that's the only way that I know of regular folks being able to cheaply get in on a piece of the great recurring monthly income being produced by the utility industry.

2. Vitamins: yes, I said it in spite of so many knocking it by denouncing it as the pills, lotions, and potions gimmicks that is a waste of time and money... vitamins have always been, are, and will continue to be hot sellers no matter the state of the economy. Many Warriors right here may denounce and knock the idea of selling vitamins, but they in fact buy and take them daily themselves.

However, I'm not talking about just any vitamins, but a vitamin which holds a niche of it's own within the vitamin and supplement field... liquid vitamins. As more and more people are unable to afford health care, more and more people are forced to do what they can afford to do to optimize their health as inexpensively as possible. As more and more people read and learn about how pills and caplets are made, and how studies show the human body only absorbs up to 25% of the vitamins, minerals, and supplements in pills and caplets form, they are turning to the 95% absorption rate of liquid vitamins and preventing flushing 75% of their money down the toilets in the form of pills and caplets. There are also network marketing and affiliate programs for liquid vitamins to cash in on this nice recurring monthly income stream.

3. Household Cleaning Products: Virtually everyone needs, wants, and uses them. The state of the economy does not affect their sales or use. Everyone will always need to clean their bathrooms, clothes, stoves/ovens, appliances, etc... However, there is also a niche which is growing rapidly within the cleaning products field which is even more profitable... environmentally friendly and/or green products. We have an abundance of people with money that are very adamant about environmental concerns, and they will, and are spending big money on products addressing this concern. Again, there are network marketing and affiliate programs to sell these products to generate you a nice monthly recurring income during the recession and beyond.

4. Print Brokering: I save this for last because it's my favorite, and what I have been doing for 17 years now. Every business and business person needs printing to operate. It can be anything from business cards, to menus, to estimates or invoices, or any other printed forms needed in the daily operation of business.

Businesses and business people need printing, and they have always needed it, still need it, and will continue to need it no matter what. However, as a print broker, you are able to offer businesses and business people this needed service/product at a discount much lower than they are paying locally... and you make some nice recurring profits to boot because they order over and over again month after month, year after year.

Everyone is going crazy over offline profits and trying to get businesses to change their way of doing business or trying something new, and very few are having much luck with it. However, if you offer businesses and business people something they are already using and need at a discount... they all become easy shoo-in customers for other offline services which increase their profits.

As a print broker, you're already saving them hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars monthly, so you're their friend and you have established credibility with them. Now offer them services/ways to increase profits, lead generation, and/or customers... you're nothing less than a local hero in the business world. Also, as a print broker, businesses and business people will not only pay you good for printing services, but they will also pay you to advertise your services, business, and/or online offers and affiliate products for free. Imagine that, getting paid to advertise your services and online offers for free. On the negative side, there is no affiliate or network marketing program to become a print broker... there is only one source that I know of which supplies the print broker's course/business... but it's less than sixty bucks.

So there's my two cents worth of input for 4 sensible home based businesses selling services and products which people will buy during the recession and beyond that generates a nice monthly recurring income for you.

Career coaching and resume writing blogs / forums always do well in a recession.

Try aim for the No Thrills approach, give them what they want with no B.S involved, just get to the point at times like these!

Some good suggestions in this thread. I'll add diy home improvement products.

Be creative and people will buy not matter what the economy is. The majority of people hawking stuff online have hung around IM forums way too long and sell nothing more than recycled trash.

Fear. That's all you ever need to know. Fear knows no boundary. It knows no economic down turns or prosperity. Why? Because people are perpetually scared. Afraid of crime, afraid of preservatives in wine, afraid of smoke, and afraid of being broke, afraid for their kids,and afraid of leaving them no wills, afraid to take a leap, and afraid to follow the sheep.

Fear. It's a marketer's best friend.

Ways to make money is selling. People are looking for something to get involved in to get the money flowing

Booze and Beauty Products....

Research the companies that made millions during the Great Depression and it will reveal some clues

Gavin

What usually sells in any type of consumable need, the basics (that includes cosmetics). But, people will always want to be entertained, especially if it provides some form of escapism. Otherwise, it's
how to make money
how to survive and thrive in a recession
guns and security
what to do as a citizen to turn the economy around

Here is a list I compiled that is in my "Market reasearch" post at my blog

• How To Make more money
• How To Lose weight
• How To Look better
• How To Feel Better
• How To Find Love
• How To Have more or better sex
• How To Gain more confidence with the opposite sex
• How To Live longer
• How To Get along better with people
• How To Be Entertained/ Find Good Entertainment or Entertainment products (Not necessarily a "How to info product")

Gavin

Here are a couple...

1. Liqueur -- Booze, as the economy goes down the alcohol sales
iincrease.
2. commetics... people want to feel good about themselves
3. Resume Services...

Condoms. You know, uncertain economic future, "conspiracy". The old standbys... sex, drugs and rock and roll!!!

Anything that presents a good value, especially if it's a necessity such as food discounts, sources of supplemental income or weight loss programs.

I am doing really well with free stuff (user pays S+H)