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
whole house cleaning Highland Park ..Creativity is one of the greatest tools for success in... Read More
Does your overall business strategy include the recruitment of college... Read More
You know you need a business plan. You probably realize... Read More
As fast as you can say business disaster, your business... Read More
Running a business, whether it be an offline multi-billion dollar... Read More
When looking at Akron carefully one cannot help but notice... Read More
Is there a 'magical' way to exponentially grow your business?It's... Read More
People often ask "What makes a good business plan? Or,... Read More
Have you been in a "brainstorming" session where each person... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
Business seems to drop, slow or even stop during the... Read More
Imagine spending the same amount of money on marketing and... Read More
Franchised companies often require what some believe to be excessive... Read More
If you own a pressure washing business one of the... Read More
We all agree Strategic Planning is a critical part of... Read More
Strategic planning and consulting is the strategy roadmap to manage... Read More
Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the... Read More
Every business experiences slower periods. For some, they sell more... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains serves mid-size and large clients... Read More
One of the quintessential parts to any business is your... Read More
Business planning is widely acknowledged as one of the keys... Read More
To stop a computer virus you must understand how it... Read More
It doesn't take a Terrorist Act, Tsunami or Earthquake to... Read More
How often does your company make a quantum leap forward?... Read More
Growth through acquisition should not be considered an option reserved... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Glenview ..The decision to sell, or not to sell your business... Read More
When someone mentions business planning we have been conditioned to... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits multiple services market niche and healthcare... Read More
In 1997, David Steele was making the transition from a... Read More
Many of us are discouraged by the networking events that... Read More
"Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas."That's... Read More
The University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published... Read More
One of the key challenges for any business is to... Read More
Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the... Read More
Strategic planning is vital while starting a new business or... Read More
A menu is the foundation of any restaurant; Guests will... Read More
In this small article we'll concentrate on farmers associations and... Read More
You know you need a business plan. You probably realize... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
This week I coached a wonderfully lovely woman I'll call... Read More
Storytelling and writing a business plan actually go hand in... Read More
Many cities have home pages on the Internet. Many of... Read More
I am surprised how few sales professionals, independent consultants, and... Read More
A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More
Many very successful business owners may never have had a... Read More
Ask a small business owner about their strategic plan and... Read More
Creativity is one of the greatest tools for success in... Read More
"Did you hear what your competitor is doing?" This question... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
If you are a manufacturer wanting to use your business... Read More
Strategic Planning |