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May 01, 2018

6 Tips for Seasonal Business Owners That Are Preparing for Their Busy Season

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Fora Financial

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In this post, we’ll list six tips that will help you prepare your business for the busy season ahead.

How You Can Prepare Your Seasonal Business For Busy Times

1. Reflect on Last Season

One of the best things you can do to achieve success is to reflect on your company’s history. We recommend researching what happened last year so that you can understand your future needs. For instance, if you know which days of the week were the busiest last year, you can ensure that your business is properly staffed during those times. It’s also essential to review last year’s sales to identify popular products and confirm that you have sufficient inventory to meet your customers' demands.

2. Ensure That You’re Well-Staffed

As a small business owner, you’re likely aware that good talent can be hard to find. According to Learning English, many seasonal businesses have trouble finding staff due to the temporary nature of the work. Because of this, you should begin recruiting employees as soon as possible. In addition, you should contact former employees to see if they’re available again. If you discover that you have staffing gaps, start conducting interviews immediately so your new staff members are well-trained by the time you open your doors.

3. Revise Your Budget

Reviewing your sales and expenses from your previous busy season will help you determine where you fell short so you can make the appropriate changes to your budget. For instance, if you over-purchased inventory last year, you should consider lowering your inventory expenses in your existing budget. Or, if you saw a dip in sales, you might spend more money on marketing costs so that you can reach more potential customers.

4. Start Marketing Early

As a seasonal business, your marketing strategy will be different from companies that operate year-round. When marketing a seasonal business, it’s essential to advertise prior to your busy season. Marketing to your customers in advance of your opening day will help to build interest in your products or services, and ensure that people know about your business. Some great ways to reach out to previous patrons and potential customers include:
  • Social Media
According to Statistia, there are 214 million active users on Facebook in the United States. That means it’s likely that your target customers are active on Facebook. What better way to reach your ideal customers than to run targeted Facebook campaigns announcing your opening date and product or service offerings? In addition, if you have items that are available to pre-order, a Facebook campaign can generate sales before your opening day. Ultimately, it’s important to stay active on all your social media channels prior to opening to interest your followers.
  • Email Marketing
Email marketing could be one of the best tools to help you engage your current customers before opening. According to Lyfe Marketing .  If you have an email marketing platform, contact your customer list to announce your opening, and get them excited about new products or services. If you don’t have an email marketing platform, consider investing in one in 2018. Some great options include Constant Contact, Mail Chimp, and Emma.
  • Consider Direct Mail
If your budget allows, a direct mail piece sent to residents within proximity to your business could be a huge success. If you decide to send a direct mail piece, consider including a coupon to entice customers to visit your business location.

5. Clean Your Establishment

Having a clean establishment is crucial for all businesses. Give your customers a reason to stay and shop by providing them with an enjoyable atmosphere to do so. If you don’t have enough employees to clean your store, enlist the help of a professional cleaning service. Having your store in pristine condition when your doors open will leave a lasting impression on your customers, and hopefully allow you to earn more sales.

6. Review Your Website

In our digital world, the appearance and functionality of your website is just as important as your physical storefront. That’s why it’s essential to get your website in optimal condition before your business opens. To do this, ensure that your company’s address and phone number are prominent on each website page, the layout is easy to navigate, your product pages have strong calls to action, and your content is easy to read and error free. Your website may very well be the first impression a potential customer has about your business –  make it a good one!

Final Thoughts

The busy period is what every seasonal small business owner waits for each year. As you likely know, if your season isn’t a success, your business’s future could be put at risk. To have a profitable season, take the time to do upfront work, and tackle the tips mentioned in this post. If you’re a seasonal business owner, share your preparation tips with us in the comment section below!