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 Lake Forest ..Many business start-up kits or consultants will tell you one... Read More
Obviously, there will never be an actual water shortage since... Read More
This week I coached a wonderfully lovely woman I'll call... Read More
Q: A key investor in my business has suggested that... Read More
One of the most powerful driving forces in human nature... Read More
Note to Rite Aid and CVS: It's not about the... Read More
You might be thinking to yourself, "Why should I waste... Read More
If ever there were an industry where we want zero... Read More
Too much goal setting and strategic planning can leave you... Read More
Is there a 'magical' way to exponentially grow your business?It's... Read More
A focus group is a group of employees or current... Read More
Business rises and falls on leadership. According to business guru,... Read More
All investors greatly desire and are motivated by a clear... Read More
"Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas."That's... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
Whether you are seeking capital for your company or are... Read More
Note to Northwest Airlines ? It's not about fuel costsFor... Read More
The new check cashing instant clearing will take some time... Read More
We all know that nothing runs without a plan, and... Read More
Fun From The StartFor those with the will to start... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits horizontal markets clientele and in case... Read More
The current state of the available technology at the disposal... Read More
The decision to sell, or not to sell your business... Read More
Where would your business be without a proper plan? A... Read More
A piano tuner recently moved to Buffalo, NY, and would... Read More
green cleaning service Deerfield ..Writing a business plan can be tricky when all the... Read More
By cranking up others development to meet your business needs,... Read More
I. INTRODUCTIONThe term resilience, which is of frequent use in... Read More
Ask Yourself three simple questions that affect your strategy planning...... Read More
As a franchisor it is imperative that you seek, find... Read More
Before becoming a netpreneaur, I was an entrepreneur. First, I... Read More
When you start your program to purchase your "ideal" company,... Read More
Franchised companies often require what some believe to be excessive... Read More
If you own a mobile franchise business and wish to... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
To stop a computer virus you must understand how it... Read More
Six Sigma is becoming a proven approach for businesses and... Read More
Part 1A few weeks ago I attended a seminar sponsored... Read More
Is there a 'magical' way to exponentially grow your business?It's... Read More
One of the most powerful driving forces in human nature... Read More
In 1997, David Steele was making the transition from a... Read More
Growth through acquisition should not be considered an option reserved... Read More
The University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published... Read More
One of the quintessential parts to any business is your... Read More
1. Largest Selection -One way that you can make your... Read More
Much of what we heard in the mass media about... Read More
We have been spending many hours surveying the market for... Read More
Please take a moment before you read any further and... Read More
Are you frustrated by the lack of growth in your... Read More
You have heard that there is extra money on the... Read More
Strategic Planning |