How to increase small business sales in slow summer months
It might seem counterintuitive that when families enjoy time together, take summer vacations, and spend their disposable income in the summer, small businesses seem to simultaneously experience a summer sales slump. However, the summer sales slump is a known phenomenon among small business owners.
How do you increase sales in slow months? Of course, there’s no one right way for every business. The solutions vary based on your business model, your location, your online presence, and more. However, you can take some tangible steps to combat the slow seasons that will not only serve you in the short term but also increase the staying power of your business in the long run.
Vary your outreach
It’s not uncommon for business owners to fall into a rut of using the same marketing channels season after season. Perhaps you have a standing advertising campaign you run every summer with the same type of sales and messaging. Or, your social media channels have fallen stagnant with a message that gets lost among the trendy videos and more recent news.
When sales begin to dip, consider changing your marketing strategy to try a new social media channel, test out a new promotion, or spend a little time revamping your website to optimize for your target audience. You may need to consider hiring some outside marketing help and investing in professional services to get an outside opinion.
Partner with another business
Small businesses owners are part of a unique community, and no one knows your struggle as much as the owner down the street or across town. Consider a partnership with another local business and do some cross-promotion. For example, if you sell outdoor adventure equipment and your small business neighbor sells clothing, consider a collaboration where you offer a special price with proof of purchase from each other.
When choosing your partner, ensure that you share the same audience so that customers understand the value of shopping with you both.
Use local events to showcase your business
I often hear how much they wish small business owners would work with them on special events in my work with nonprofits. It’s an added task to an already endless to-do list, but when you partner with a local nonprofit or government agency to participate in an event, you’re showing your community that you value partners of all types.
If you’re part of a Main Street Community, seek out opportunities to help them promote your downtown as a whole. If your employees are engaged with local nonprofits, schedule a day where you allow them to volunteer without taking time off. While your motivation should not be publicity, it won’t hurt to share a social media post or two about the efforts or add a quick story to your business blog, if you have one.
Plan ahead & reduce expenses where possible
If one thing is sure, business revenue cycles tend to be reasonably consistent (pandemic not included). Once you make it through this year’s slump, ensure you have a long-term plan for addressing shortfalls next year. Hopefully, it won’t be quite as drastic once you put some of these ideas into place.
It’s also important to reduce expenses where you can, even if it’s just a short-term solution. For those with physical inventory needs, a business like http://www.biltindustries.com/services.php can help you explore flexible storage solutions, maximizes your storage capacity and workflow efficiency.
How’s your business going? Are you experiencing this type of sales slump? What strategies are you using? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.
Until next time,
Andrea
One Nine Design is a digital marketing company helping small businesses and nonprofits learn how to use the right digital marketing tools to grow your reach and make a bigger impact!