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Summer is now upon us and the kids are out of school. For some of us this means gearing
down our business activities to make room for the added distraction, or should I say joy, of
summer follies and family. Others of us are taking vacations or increasing our mini-vacations, like visits to the museum, parks, picnics, beach and other fun activities.
Wherever you find yourself, your business, unless it is on auto-pilot, will falter if not properly
attended to during this season. So how can you find the right balance of family and business?
There are many things that you can do to keep your business from faltering during the
summer. Let's consider just ten of the over fifty ways I can come up with off the top of my
head.
1. Offer a summer sale
This is the most reasonable and first thing that pops into my head, and probably yours. Not
only will this bring in unexpected business but it allows you to pump up the promotion to those
who may be "sitting-on-the-fence," so to speak.
2. Cut the fat
This may be a bit more difficult for some, but worth considering none the less. Perhaps you
have been building your stock, or maybe investing in an educational program. If you can
cut back in any way you will find that keeping more of your money, even just 10-15% will
increase your bottom line and make for a more profitable summer.
3. Observe & Pinpoint summer businesses
Swim suits and t-shirt sales both take a huge leap in business during the summer
months. Do you have a business that can take advantage of a partnership with a
business like these? If your products would enhance the lives of health conscious
individuals then these storefront operations might just be where your target market
hangs out. For example, do you sell organics, or health supplements? Why not partner
with a swim wear store or even your local health food store? Even if you only are able
to leave your business card with a sample attached or a flyer in the window you
will open up your business to a new and targeted audience. Put your thinking
cap on. This one will take some brain power.
4. Involve your kids
If you are lucky enough to have kids old enough to write ask for their assistance.
Begin a marketing campaign with their help. Have them write a short note to your
target market inviting them to visit your store. Everybody love kids and their hand
written note could be just the thing to get your potential client or customer to take action.
5. Teaspoon Marketing
Your local deli and ice cream shop have this technique down pat. Take a hint from them.
Offer a sample of your product or service.
6. Buzz Marketing
What better way to promote your business than having your satified customers toot your
horn. Not only will you gain new customers but your old ones will remember their interaction
with you and might even need to use your products or services again, which brings me to #7.
7. Create a keeper
Design a tool your customer/client will hold on to or share. How about a time management
or perhaps an appointment setting tool. Be sure to put your business contact information
on it. One tool that I created that you may remember that has been very successful for
me is the State Abbreviation and Links list that you received as an incentive for signing
up for this ezine. These great list building tools.
8. Repeat past successes
Did you do something before that turned out as well or better than you expected? Why not
do it again, not just once. When you use proven success stragedies you are guaranteed
results.
9. Teleseminars
Teleseminars are being used by successful entrepreneurs every day. There is a good reason
for that, they work. Why not consider adding this valuable marketing too to your arsenal?
Not only are they cost effective but they will help you build your list since those who attend
have already raised their proverbial hand.
10. Cross-promotion
Have you used a product or service that you have totally fallen in love with? Why not
contact the business owner and suggest cross-promotion. While they recommend your
business to their customers you can do the same for them. This is what I call a
win-win scenario. When others speak your praises for you people listen more carefully
than when you do the speaking.
There you have my ten favorite summer marketing ideas. Choose one or two and
utilize them. I would love to know which ones you use, why and how successfully they
work for you.
© Copyright 2008 Ginger Marks
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