How To Get More Business During The Winter Months

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

Hypnosispower@yahoo.com

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


More Uses for Your Business Plan

You have invested a lot of time and energy on... Read More

The Power of Strategic Thinking: Creating Meaningful Success

Too much goal setting and strategic planning can leave you... Read More

Sales Planning and Business Plans

Writing a business plan can be tricky when all the... Read More

How to Grow Your Business by Clearing the Way to Growth

Is your business growing as fast and effectively as it... Read More

Rules to Setting Business Goals and Objectives: Why and How to be SMART

We all know that nothing runs without a plan, and... Read More

Connecting Your Offline Business to Your Online Business

These may sound like no brainers, but you'd be surprised.... Read More

3 Undercover Ways to Make Big Profits from Your Competition

You have heard that there is extra money on the... Read More

Innovate Today for Great Leaps Forward Tomorrow

How often does your company make a quantum leap forward?... Read More

Restaurant Startup - Part 1: Market Research ? What are Potential Competitors Doing?

The first step in starting a restaurant is proper planning.... Read More

Three Easy Ways To Know Thy Competitor

"Did you hear what your competitor is doing?" This question... Read More

The Importance of Value Mix

( * - the word 'product' can be substituted to... Read More

Top Ten Reasons To Create A One Page Business Plan

There is a story, about a business owner who wasn't... Read More

Defining Go for It Business Goals

Many business start-up kits or consultants will tell you one... Read More

25 Ways To Find Companies To Buy

When you start your program to purchase your "ideal" company,... Read More

6 Steps To Laying Out Your Competitive Strategy

Why do so many companies languish and watch as their... Read More

Mastermind Your Way to Success

What do Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, Anthony Robbins, Andrew... Read More

SWOT Analysis

If you've ever listened to Warren Buffett talk about investing,... Read More

Changing Strategy Without Losing Your Customers - Three Vital Steps to Refining Your Strategy

American Eagle Outfitters and Wet Seal Stores have issued statements... Read More

Do You Have A Customer Identity Crisis?

The trick is to determine what uniquely identifies your best... Read More

The 7 Critical Steps to Formulating Your Annual Strategic Business Plan

Businesses tend to avoid doing their annual business plan thinking... Read More

The Tables Have Turned - Its Officially a Sellers Market

Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the... Read More

Home Improvement Construction Project Planning

The first task before hiring a contractor for home remodeling... Read More

6 Changes You Can Make to Increase Business Profits

I read once that something like 30 percent of all... Read More

Are You Ready To Go International?

Although North Americans were the dominant population on the Internet,... Read More

Getting Started with Succession Planning: Part II

Succession planning requires the owner of a small or medium-sized... Read More

Nine Succession Planning Mistakes Small Businesses Should Avoid

1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More

Sample Business Plan Outline

If you are looking for a partner, funding, angle investor... Read More

Why Create an Annual Plan?

Can you imagine going on a road trip without knowing... Read More

Thinking Like A Farmer

One of the difficulties we face in our industrialized age... Read More

Content Management: Wise Investment for Business Prosperity

The time when a website was just a simple set... Read More

Completing the Annual Planning Process

Imagine an office without a desk, or lights, a computer,... Read More

The Top Ten Rules of Effective Networking

Many of us are discouraged by the networking events that... Read More

Take A Systems View To Ensure Your Business Stays Healthy

How are you feeling today? Good, not so good, great?... Read More