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SUMMER: THE SCARY SEASON
Five simple steps for battling your summer business
lull As an entrepreneur, you buzz around most of the year juggling clients,
projects, and a multitude of business-related tasks. With all that comes a (hopefully)
steady stream of bank deposits. But for many business owners, summer signals
a temporary halt to the good life. Beach traffic heats up and client traffic cools
down. And unless you own a pork-roll stand on the Seaside Heights boardwalk or
a landscaping business or an ice cream shop, you, too, may fall prey to the dreaded
summertime lull. What can you do to keep the momentum going while you're
clients are lazing about? How can you use the down time to gear up for a gangbuster
fall? Here are some tips for surviving the scary season: 1) Revamp
or Launch an E-zine
An e-zine, or electronic newsletter, is an effective
and inexpensive marketing tool. Brainstorm themes for upcoming issues, collect
e-mail addresses, hone your mailing list, and check out some of the e-mail marketing
services, like Constant Contact (www.ConstantContact.com),
IntelliContact (www.IntelliContact.com)
and Emma (www.MyEmma.com). 2)
Have a Summer Sale
A tried-and-true way to boost sales when things are
slow is to run a special promotion or sale. Offer a discount to clients who purchase
your product or service now or hire you before the end of summer. Be sure to include
an expiration date and promote it more than once to ensure that every beach bum
gets the message! 3) Give Thanks
Why not tell your clients how
grateful you are for them and send a card, thank-you note, or fun summer gift
(even if it's a special report, resource, or guide)? No one expects it this time
of year, so it will be that much more appreciated. 4) Get Your Marketing
Plan in Gear
Set a goal to sweep the cobwebs off that long lost marketing
plan and implement it by fall. Here are some things you should consider while
preparing it:
· Target market (age, geographic range, income, gender,
profession, etc.)
· Company strengths
· Company weaknesses
·
Untapped opportunities/markets
· Threats (a competitor opening across
the street;
economic downturn; etc.)
· Qualities you want to be
known for
· Competitors and how they're marketing their products/services
·
Objections/misconceptions potential clients may have about
your product/service
and how you can overcome them
· Specific ideas for marketing your business,
including:
· Launching or revamping Web site
· Direct-mail
campaign
· Publicity effort
· Advertising blitz (print,
radio, TV)
· Monthly/quarterly e-zine
· Special events and
speaking engagements
· Networking opportunities 5) Finally,
If You Can't Beat 'Em ...
... join 'em! Summer is a great time to kick
back and relax a little. So don't sweat it out all season. Enjoy a little downtime
with your friends and families and focus on some fun marketing and promotion projects. Need
help getting through the scarry season? Want some giudance with your marketing
plan?
Contact
the Turtles TODAY and to head the scary season off at the pass..
Or, visit our Web
site to learn more about us and our services. | 