Sayonara, Summer! 4 Ways to Keep Your Business Fierce this Fall
Each year around this time, as we humans must shake the sand from our perfect, beach-bronzed bodies and head back to work, it is inevitable that we look forward to what changes fall will bring. Whether it’s better weather, the start of school or brand new seasons of TV and football, fall is a time that speaks of change. Which is why it is the perfect time to turn low revenue streams around and finish out the last quarter strong by adding a little life to your creative and marketing efforts. Here are just a few ways you can amp up your marketing efforts this fall.
Use the season to your advantage – What does fall mean to you? Fall is a time of family, warmth and togetherness. It is time of bold colors and even bolder statements. Whether it’s at the fall festival or the high school football game, there is a wealth of marketing opportunities for your business if you look hard enough. According to a study last year by the National Retail Federation (NRF), two-thirds of Americans said they spent an average of $75 dollars to participate in Halloween activities, which amounts to $6.9 billion dollars in spending nationwide. Tailoring your advertising and marketing efforts toward seasonal events and activities will not only keep you at the top of your game, it also keeps your business relevant when it comes to marketing to target customers.
Scare up a little interest – If your website and all of your promotional materials still look exactly the same as they did when you first started your business, it is high time you did something about it. Sure, it is really easy to have a your website built and never think of it again, but the reality is that a website is only the first step in a series of ways to boost your business’s appeal as well as its reach. Sustain the momentum you built up this summer by embracing this time of change. Begin by updating your logo, business materials and website or drum up a little interest with some brand new advertising campaigns. Need we remind you that the fall season is merely an intro to the $602.1 billion holiday season that is just around the corner, so get crackin’!
Harvest some brand new relationships – Fall is also an excellent time to nab some brand new clients by being proactive when it comes to getting your name out there. Running a business isn’t a one-way street; it’s the beginning of a dialogue with strangers who will ultimately become customers. Try implementing a brand new marketing campaign or bulk up your social media efforts and let the world know you’re here and you’ve got exactly what they’re looking for. Establishing strong connections with potential customers, other businesses and even local media can help you solidify some very important relationships when it comes to brand advocates. However, it is also important to remember that relationships are not built overnight. Like human relationships, it takes time, some trust-building, a little give and take and ultimately learning to be there when it matters the most.
Remember to give thanks – Remember when you first started your business and you were extremely thankful for that handful of clients who were loyal and kept a tiny stream of revenue coming in? Well without them and the many others who have supported both you and your business, you wouldn’t be where you are, so maybe it’s time to be good to the many people who have been so good to you. This fall, why don’t you reward your most loyal of customers with a thoughtful incentive or bonus to show your gratitude? For example, thank you gifts, upgrading their services at no extra cost or awarding loyal customers with an exclusive invitation to an event that benefits their patronage will go a long way toward not only thanking your customers, but also increasing brand loyalty.
