![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
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
Creativity is one of the greatest tools for success in... Read More
A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals,... Read More
Have you been in a "brainstorming" session where each person... Read More
Imagine an office without a desk, or lights, a computer,... Read More
You know you need a business plan. You probably realize... Read More
Many of Ohio's downtown areas are in need of upgrading... Read More
Conventional wisdom has it that there are only three ways... Read More
Many very successful business owners may never have had a... Read More
If you are looking for a partner, funding, angle investor... Read More
Diversify - to make diverse, give variety, to balance, to... Read More
A piano tuner recently moved to Buffalo, NY, and would... Read More
Canada's lean leaders need to look beyond the horizon and... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains, former Great Plains Dynamics is excellent fit... Read More
Businesses tend to avoid doing their annual business plan thinking... Read More
Twice a year, Bill Gates goes to a remote island... Read More
The boom of the dot-com era in 1999 brought the... Read More
Note to Rite Aid and CVS: It's not about the... Read More
Ask a small business owner about their strategic plan and... Read More
All investors greatly desire and are motivated by a clear... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains does wonderful ERP job for horizontal markets... Read More
It doesn't take a Terrorist Act, Tsunami or Earthquake to... Read More
These may sound like no brainers, but you'd be surprised.... Read More
Six Sigma is becoming a proven approach for businesses and... Read More
Ask Yourself three simple questions that affect your strategy planning...... Read More
So you've decided to write your own business plan because... Read More
Twice a year, Bill Gates goes to a remote island... Read More
Richard L. Daft one of the country's recognized academic leadership... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
Ask a small business owner about their strategic plan and... Read More
As fast as you can say business disaster, your business... Read More
There is so much small business information available today that... Read More
Here's a really simple way to make sure your plans... Read More
Business owners and entrepreneurs are, by nature, risk takers and... Read More
The University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published... Read More
This week I coached a wonderfully lovely woman I'll call... Read More
Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the... Read More
If you own a mobile franchise business and wish to... Read More
While writing an article recently on effective ways to bridge... Read More
One of the most powerful driving forces in human nature... Read More
For many consumers and producers, MSP is an acronym for... Read More
People often ask "What makes a good business plan? Or,... Read More
No matter what product or service you provide you will... Read More
A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More
Experts estimate that 90 percent of Australian businesses are overspending... Read More
To Grow (Catapult) Your Business That's Why.When it's in your... Read More
With a heightened awareness of opportunity, ideas can often be... Read More
Every business experiences slower periods. For some, they sell more... Read More
Obviously, there will never be an actual water shortage since... Read More
The first task before hiring a contractor for home remodeling... Read More
I love the excitement of starting up a new home... Read More
Strategic Planning Strategic Planning |