Rule #4

Written By Matt Schroeder

You are replaceable.

When times get tough, the first place many business owners look to cut costs is their marketing team—whether it’s an in-house department or a team of freelancers. Advertising and promotion budgets are often the first to go.

But in reality, marketing should be the last thing you cut. Slashing your marketing budget is like raising a white flag to your competitors, giving up your brand’s position in the market. Studies show that businesses that continue to invest in marketing during downturns—like recessions—come out stronger, often gaining a larger market share than those that pull back.

If you work in marketing, you need to accept this harsh reality: when budgets get tight, your role is vulnerable. You are replaceable. I’ve been laid off three times, each while in a leadership position. I believed my skills and experience would make me indispensable—but I learned the hard way that wasn’t the case.

Matt Schroeder

Chief Creative Monkey Matt Schroeder is a self-described “full-stack marketer, educator, brand builder, strategist, change agent, and teller of dad jokes.” With nearly 30 years of experience, Matt brings warm charm and personal touch to his marketing accounts. Beyond delivering sage marketing guidance and interesting visual graphics, it’s his goal to build genuine relationships with his customers and create an open, honest forum to exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and candidly evaluate the progress of marketing campaigns.

Matt boasts degrees in Graphic Design (A.A.S.), Web Development (B.S.), owns a Master’s degree in Marketing & Public Relations from University of Denver, and a professional certificate in Digital Marketing from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.

https://bigopposablethumb.com
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