Business seems to drop, slow or even stop during the winter months. As tourist traffic slows or stops during the winter months so does the incomes of many local business owners. The first step in overcoming this problem begins in your brain (don't they all?)
To begin with, don't see these slow months as a dead time. See them for what they are , a time to build customer relationships and prepare for the busy season to come. There are a few things that you might try to cushion the slow season. Below you'll find a list of strategies that just might work for your business.
1. Hold a class or Informational seminar-- Invite all your customers to come in for an educational session. Make sure that you have some nice deals for them on related items so that they can spend some money with you. It may well be worth considering doing the class for free. (gasp!) Some of the types of things that come to mind are Fishing, crafts, investments, flower arranging, interior decorating, travel tips, Information about certain surgerys, back pain relief, parenting, writing workshops and on and on??
2. Work up package deals that will be available during the "on" season but sell them now=get money now. Remember that money now is always worth more than money later! Here's a great idea for a resort. Pay us $250 now and we'll give you a two night stay and a boat rental (with 4 hours guided) and a picnic lunch. Just make your reservation any time in the year 2004. I've seen this exact package sell over 20%! If you offered this to 1000 prospects and sold 200 You would gross $50,000! Could $50,000 now tide you over for a few weeks?
3. Tune up your advertising. Start using benefits and offers to get up to 500% more return on investment from your advertising. I'll show you how for free if you call me. 870 213-7032
4. Learn to use word of mouth to up your sales. Call me.
5. Send press releases
6. Run a contest
7. Distribute Coupons
8. Use give aways to generate traffic and be prepared to sell. (give aways could consist of informational materials)
9. Pre-promote an "On" season special or event (ok this one is not going to get you winter dollars but it will be a productive use of your time
10. Don't forget the locals! Find something they'd like to invest in. This is the Thursday before Valentine's Day and I have not seen any resorts or hotels doing the "Romantic Getaway" deal
There are dozens of tips and strategies that will increase your winter dollars. You just have to implement some of them to profit. OH! Want to know an awesome secret? You can do the above all year long! Cool. Very cool.
Any Questions?
John M. Satterfield
870-213-7032
www.hypnosisucanuse.com
Marketing Coordinator Long Term Care White River Health System and Small Business Consultant
About The Author
John M. Satterfield C.Ht is a certified hypnotherapist and a corporate marketing director. He lives in Mountain View Arkansas wife is Mary Gale, Cocker Spaniel is Sir Lancelot
top rated cleaning service Lake Forest .."Did you hear what your competitor is doing?" This question... Read More
Human beings are rational agents. Rationality endorses one to take... Read More
Some analysts credit [Larry] Ellison with anticipating the consolidation in... Read More
If you are in the parking business and own or... Read More
While writing an article recently on effective ways to bridge... Read More
The decision to sell, or not to sell your business... Read More
Business seems to drop, slow or even stop during the... Read More
Does the competition drive you crazy?Are they relentless about taking... Read More
Writing a business plan to help you direct and manage... Read More
Business owners and entrepreneurs are, by nature, risk takers and... Read More
Many very successful business owners may never have had a... Read More
Why cut costs now? Efforts are multiplying to cut costs... Read More
Cassy was an employee of a nonprofit who had been... Read More
Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the... Read More
Why do so many companies languish and watch as their... Read More
What do Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, Anthony Robbins, Andrew... Read More
In today's rapidly changing and highly competitive markets, many privately... Read More
More than $117 billion passed hands from Internet shoppers to... Read More
Obviously, there will never be an actual water shortage since... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
There's nothing automatic about corporate growth, particularly in the information... Read More
"I don't need a business plan."Neither did Alice in Wonderland."Would... Read More
Richard L. Daft one of the country's recognized academic leadership... Read More
Business plan financial projections seem daunting because they are so... Read More
The foundation of any business transaction is the promise of... Read More
insured cleaning company Morton Grove ..Where would your business be without a proper plan? A... Read More
If you are a successful franchise of a large franchise... Read More
1. Largest Selection -One way that you can make your... Read More
I love the excitement of starting up a new home... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of what needs to be... Read More
Mobile auto detailing equipment becomes very inexpensive around March each... Read More
Imagine an office without a desk, or lights, a computer,... Read More
I read once that something like 30 percent of all... Read More
From time to time there seems to be a flurry... Read More
The foundation of any business transaction is the promise of... Read More
Succession planning requires the owner of a small or medium-sized... Read More
I'm not talking about posting the HBO schedule on your... Read More
Why cut costs now? Efforts are multiplying to cut costs... Read More
So what makes a vision successful? Everyday companies try to... Read More
In 1997, David Steele was making the transition from a... Read More
Many cities have home pages on the Internet. Many of... Read More
Have you been in a "brainstorming" session where each person... Read More
Conventional wisdom has it that there are only three ways... Read More
People often ask "What makes a good business plan? Or,... Read More
Do you work in or own a business that's affected... Read More
In this small article we'll concentrate on farmers associations and... Read More
Canada's lean leaders need to look beyond the horizon and... Read More
Here's a really simple way to make sure your plans... Read More
If you've ever listened to Warren Buffett talk about investing,... Read More
The current state of the available technology at the disposal... Read More
Strategic Planning |