Economic uncertainty is the ultimate buzzkill for marketing budgets. And with the IAB's latest survey showing 94% of advertisers worried about tariffs impacting ad spend, your sales team needs to be ready for some tough conversations with SMB clients.
But here's the thing – economic pressure doesn't have to mean disaster for your digital marketing sales. It just means your approach needs to evolve.
The numbers don't lie:
Traditional media and social advertising are taking the biggest hit. Meanwhile, CTV and online video might weather the storm better.
For enterprise sales teams selling digital solutions to SMBs, this isn't just industry news – it's a roadmap for how to position your services in the months ahead.
When budgets tighten, your SMB clients aren't just looking to slash costs – they're looking to maximise value. And consumer sentiment gives us some interesting insights:
Translation? Your SMB clients are feeling pressure to maintain operations while absorbing increased costs. They need partners who understand this balancing act.
The advertisers who are adapting to these pressures are making strategic shifts:
SMBs can't afford marketing that doesn't deliver measurable results right now. Your sales team should emphasise:
This is your sweet spot. When every penny counts, SMBs need channels where they can track performance:
Help your SMB clients speak directly to budget-conscious consumers:
Your sales team needs to adjust their pitch when talking to SMBs:
Old approach: "Our digital marketing solutions will help you grow your business."
New approach: "Our digital marketing solutions deliver measurable returns while protecting your core business during economic uncertainty."
Old approach: "Here are all the digital marketing services we offer."
New approach: "Here are the specific digital marketing services that will give you the highest ROI during budget-conscious times."
In this climate, your prospect's first question will be: "How can I be sure this will work?"
That's where a comprehensive audit becomes your sales team's most powerful tool. By showing SMBs exactly:
Your sales agents can position your services not as an expense, but as a strategic necessity – even when budgets are tight.
If you’re looking for a quick website and online presence audit to run on prospects and clients - check out
Insites for Sales.
When 66% of consumers want companies to cut executive pay before passing costs to customers, it's clear that transparency and fairness matter more than ever.
Your sales team should lean into this by:
Economic uncertainty isn't going away anytime soon. But the digital marketing providers who will thrive are those who can clearly demonstrate value, measure results, and position themselves as essential partners.
For enterprise sales teams, this isn't just about surviving the budget crunch. It's about emerging as the trusted advisor who helped their SMB clients navigate it successfully.
Want to equip your sales team with tools that demonstrate clear ROI to budget-conscious SMBs? Book a discovery call to see how Insites helps large digital marketing sales teams win even during uncertain economic times.