With all the doom and gloom recession talk going around
wouldn't it be nice if your customers were recession-proof?
My goodness that sure sounds wonderful.
Could such customers really exist?
If they do exist, how would you find them?
Could there be enough of them to focus on and build a
customer base from?
If so, would they have any interest in the products and
services you offer?
Would they turn out to be a bunch of skinflints with no
discretionary funds?
Oh, how very wonderful it would be if such folks did exist
and could/would buy your goods. Why it would be a business
paradise! What a sales dream come true!
Well, it's not a dream. Such customers do exist and they are
eagerly waiting for you to call on them. Yes, they want your
products and services. Where do these dream-come-true
customers exist? Why, they are all around you. In fact you
have been looking at them for years, but you haven't really
seen them. They are called senior citizens.
Seniors are the biggest (over 81 million), fastest growing
(1 every 7 seconds) and highest net worth (own 79% of all
financial assets) consumer group that exists in America today.
The reasons that seniors are close to being recession-proof are:
They have stable, guaranteed incomes from their retirement
packages, savings, investments, social security and their
medicare/medicaid benefits.
Most have little if any debt, owning their homes and cars outright.
They carry small (if any) credit card balances.
Child care costs are zero since their children are grown.
Utility and tax burdens are extremely low for this group.
They are quite cash positive with large savings accounts
and very secure investments.
Translation, lots more discretionary funds than any other group of
customers around. This all adds up to customers that are almost
recession-proof with more money for wants.
Most seniors did without and/or denied themselves most luxury
items while raising their children. Now they can afford to "slacken
the reins" quite a bit and enjoy themselves. Seniors can buy what
they want, not just what they need. This is why these consumers
are spending more freely; and if you catch their eye, they will buy
your goods and services in order to "splurge a little" (a lot actually)
recession or not.
Seniors buy everything that any other customer buys, and then
some. The only real difference between these consumers and others
is that they have had more birthdays. They are truly the "Millennium
Marketplace." Companies that take notice of them, and then proceed
to pay very special attention to them, will not only comfortably ride
out any recession, they will reap a marketing bonanza of absolutely
astounding proportions.
You can "Gain Market Share, If You Show Seniors You Care."
About the Author
Gary Onks is the author of "How You Can Reach & Sell the
$20 Trillion Senior Marketplace" which is described as:
"The 'Art' of pleasing senior customers"~ Washington Times
"A 'Breath of Fresh Air' in senior marketing" ~ CD Publications
Sold On Seniors, Inc. http://www.SoldOnSeniors.com
Phone: (540) 785-4438 or 800-416-8785
mailto:GaryOnks@SoldOnSeniors.com