4 Tips for the Summer Slowdown - How To Pick Up Sales

You may have heard about the "summer slowdown". You may be experiencing it right now, or you may not be affected. Regardless it's important to pay attention, and do something this time of year.

If sales are slow and weren't in the spring, most likely this means your target market isn't spending as much time online as they were before (this could be due to vacations, spending time with family/children out of school, etc). There are several different options you have now:

1. Do nothing - take a vacation yourself

While not the most practical for a growing business, if you need a break - take one while you can. Collect your thoughts and ideas and get ready for your busy season.

2. Reorganize and prepare for fall

Similar to the first option, except you are still active and preparing. Clean your desk, organize your files, brainstorm new ideas for all, write new ads, research new markets, redesign your website, finish a few marketing books you've been meaning to read, etc. There are lots of things you can do to keep yourself busy that will also help your business.

3. Find where your target market went - and go there

Is your target market the vacationing type? Get offline and go where the tourists hang out. Are there local events near by that you can join (such as business expos, craft fairs, etc)? Sign up! While you're at it, make sure you check into your local Chamber of Commerce and pay attention to local events you can be a part of.

4. Start a new project with a new target audience

While it may be a little late in the summer to start a new project or idea, it's possible to make up a few of those sales within a month or two. Just make sure you are organized, and can handle the extra work once your normal sales begin picking up again.

If your sales haven't slowed down this doesn't mean you aren't completely immune to the "summer slowdown". Your sales may have a different time of year where they drop off, such as Christmas or New Years. Even though you may be just as busy, now is a good time to re-evaluate and see where your sales are headed in the next few months. It's a good idea to make preparations for your slow season right now before it hits. Follow the same ideas as listed above to completely avoided loosing any sales at all.

bout the author: Kara Kelso is a work at home mom of two, and the co-owner of Direct Sales Helpers, which is dedicated to helping mothers succeed in direct sales. For more information, visit: http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com

---

Is Your Forecast Too Sunny? How to Improve the Accuracy of Sales Forecasts

As spring moves to summer, the forecast should be for... Read More

Ten Awesome Ways To Incease Your Sales In Holidays

Everybody thinks that the businesses will slow down a bit... Read More

Sales Coaching... Fact or Fiction?

The old adage in selling has always been, "Find out... Read More

6 Common Mistakes in the Sales Hiring Process

Is lack of sales results, more sales training costs, months... Read More

Moving a Business Relationship from Free to Fee: Turning Strangers to Friends with Power of Freebies

In the last issue I shared with you a technique... Read More

5 Secrets to Managing Your Sales Manager Productively

Many people believe that the main reason for representatives leaving... Read More

The Four ?D?s of Sales Management

Recently I stumbled across some notes that I had kept... Read More

Raise Concern About Sales Competition, Not About Yourself

As you are reading this sales article, read very carefully.... Read More

Keeping Your Sales Team Motivated

Sales managers frequently approach me for advice on how to... Read More

10 Things to Help Your Business When Sales Are Slow During the Holidays

Twiddling your thumbs and waiting for some business to come... Read More

Generous Donor Refused (how qualified business slipped away)

Generous Donor RefusedPicture this. You are a fund development director... Read More

The ACCOUNTABILITY Challenge for Today?s Business Management

In today's 24/7 driven business word, accountability is becoming a... Read More

Run a Productive Business From Your Car-Office

The way we do business has changed dramatically over the... Read More

Building Trust For Lifetime Success

Trust.One word.One very powerful word that can increase both first... Read More

Discounting Your Way Into Sales Oblivion

I don't even like saying the word d---------g. I have... Read More

Back-to-School List - 10 Tips for Trade Shows

There's a new year beginning now - the school year.... Read More

14 Top Lead Generation Tactics

According to former Harvard Business School professor David Maister, typical... Read More

The Top 5 Issues Facing VPs of Sales

A recent study of 2,663 sales organizations by Think Training,... Read More

The Art of Sales (And Tips On How To Manage Your Sales Team)

Selling. Cold calls, introductions, interviews, appointments, proposals, referrals, call cycles,... Read More

How to Organize a Seminar or an Event

Seminars and events have always been implemented as a holistic... Read More

The Achilles Heel of Management Coaching

While heading home at day's end, you begin reflecting on... Read More

Whats a Professional Sales Manager?

I was in the depths of a major depression. As... Read More

How to Increase The Sales Of Promotional Products

I have searched for a new way to increase the... Read More

Is Sales Process & CRM Stopping Sales?

Standard metrics and KPI's (Key Performance Indicators) are created usually... Read More

Increase Your Sales - Accept Credit Cards

Many people today simply prefer the convenience of paying by... Read More

Management From Within

Inspiration and Management from Within ? Part 2.The more you... Read More

Online Sales: Secret To Increase Your Sales By Bundling Your Products

Microsoft has used this online sales secret to become a... Read More

Increasing Sales by Using Coupons - Will it Help Your Business?

Increasing Sales by using Coupons. Will it help your business?... Read More

100% Commission Equals Zero Percent Control

The temptation to use straight (100%) commission plans never goes... Read More

Commodity Sales Prospecting - How to Stand Out From Your Competitors

I have received a number of requests for advice from... Read More

Speed-up Your Sales Cycle

This week's article is my response to a question by... Read More

Leadership - How To Turn The Vision Into A Reality

Be clear about where you are now. Audit your strengths... Read More

How to Win Over the Man in the Chair Salesmanship, Repetition, and Direct Mail

In a classic business-to-business print ad from the late 50's... Read More