July is usually a quiet time for my small business, people are vacationing, traveling, getting together or just hanging out. Good for them, they all deserve a little R&R! Only problem is, if you don't sell t shirts, summer toys or video games, chances are that your business is moving at a snail's pace right now. Although I know this is a great time to prepare for the holidays and get all of my ducks in a row, my goal is to have consistent sales throughout the year. To that end, I use the summer months to ramp up my customers and potential buyers expectations.
What better way to get your brand and items out there than when large groups of people are gathering and talking about the latest and greatest, wouldn't you like to be a part of that conversation? I know that I would. So what is the best way to accomplish this?
I sell my Christmas ornaments all year round but come August I display them more prominently in my shop, post on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram often, stressing the uniqueness of my items as to generate more buyer interest. As a small business owner I have the luxury of deciding whether I want to discount items for early bird purchasing or creating a coupon for a specific group or organization. Ordering early can be the beginning of generating that "need to have at a good price, better buy it now" frame of mind. Selling custom items allows me to have a back and forth with my customers before purchase so it gives me another avenue to stress an early purchase or should I say purchases.
I cannot offer the "next day delivery" option like the big guys, my items take time and expertise but there are many people out there that love to gift a handmade product. Offering good quality, excellent customer service and a handmade item that will be their "favorite gift ever" is what I, as a shop owner, can do for my customers.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that reaching out to your base early on such as the lazy, crazy summertime and having them feel confident in any item they purchase from your shop is a plus for any business. What a great feeling to have your gifts ready to give and then move on to all of the other things that make your holidays memorable.
What better way to get your brand and items out there than when large groups of people are gathering and talking about the latest and greatest, wouldn't you like to be a part of that conversation? I know that I would. So what is the best way to accomplish this?
I sell my Christmas ornaments all year round but come August I display them more prominently in my shop, post on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram often, stressing the uniqueness of my items as to generate more buyer interest. As a small business owner I have the luxury of deciding whether I want to discount items for early bird purchasing or creating a coupon for a specific group or organization. Ordering early can be the beginning of generating that "need to have at a good price, better buy it now" frame of mind. Selling custom items allows me to have a back and forth with my customers before purchase so it gives me another avenue to stress an early purchase or should I say purchases.
I cannot offer the "next day delivery" option like the big guys, my items take time and expertise but there are many people out there that love to gift a handmade product. Offering good quality, excellent customer service and a handmade item that will be their "favorite gift ever" is what I, as a shop owner, can do for my customers.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that reaching out to your base early on such as the lazy, crazy summertime and having them feel confident in any item they purchase from your shop is a plus for any business. What a great feeling to have your gifts ready to give and then move on to all of the other things that make your holidays memorable.
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