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
efficient cleaning crew Northbrook .."Begin with the end in mind," says Stephen Covey in... Read More
Writing a Business Plan these days is tough, venture capitalists... Read More
The Accountability/Alignment Process: Three Steps to an Accountable Organization Generating... Read More
Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the... Read More
The time when a website was just a simple set... Read More
Does the competition drive you crazy?Are they relentless about taking... Read More
What do Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, Anthony Robbins, Andrew... Read More
The boom of the dot-com era in 1999 brought the... Read More
Businesses tend to avoid doing their annual business plan thinking... Read More
In 1997, David Steele was making the transition from a... Read More
Have you been in a "brainstorming" session where each person... Read More
Although North Americans were the dominant population on the Internet,... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
The University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published... Read More
After 128 years of business, a household word, Montgomery Wards,... Read More
Experts estimate that 90 percent of Australian businesses are overspending... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
From time to time there seems to be a flurry... Read More
Is there really anything as a problem? Does chaos or... Read More
Too much goal setting and strategic planning can leave you... Read More
Many very successful business owners may never have had a... Read More
In today's rapidly changing and highly competitive markets, many privately... Read More
If you are a successful franchise of a large franchise... Read More
Succession planning, like any business acumen, is both an art... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains serves mid-size and large clients... Read More
cleaning lady near Wilmette ..GETTING STARTED WITH SUCCESSION PLANNING: PART IA survey of 4,300... Read More
If you've ever listened to Warren Buffett talk about investing,... Read More
To Grow (Catapult) Your Business That's Why.When it's in your... Read More
Regroup?is this a new management trend? Not a chance! Regroup... Read More
This will make some people angry as hell, but it's... Read More
You have invested a lot of time and energy on... Read More
In Ohio: besides the 3-Cs you should look at Akron,... Read More
The time when a website was just a simple set... Read More
Business rises and falls on leadership. According to business guru,... Read More
Diversify - to make diverse, give variety, to balance, to... Read More
Here's a really simple way to make sure your plans... Read More
Why cut costs now? Efforts are multiplying to cut costs... Read More
You have heard that there is extra money on the... Read More
With the help of balanced scorecard strategy map, it is... Read More
Twice a year, Bill Gates goes to a remote island... Read More
Many business start-up kits or consultants will tell you one... Read More
Creativity is one of the greatest tools for success in... Read More
Business plan financial projections seem daunting because they are so... Read More
The new check cashing instant clearing will take some time... Read More
The Accountability/Alignment Process: Three Steps to an Accountable Organization Generating... Read More
So what makes a vision successful? Everyday companies try to... Read More
If you are a manufacturer wanting to use your business... Read More
We all agree Strategic Planning is a critical part of... Read More
When in doubt, cut that out! Yeah, yea, doubting Thomas... Read More
Many very successful business owners may never have had a... Read More
Strategic Planning |