The summer is around the corner, and sometimes business can slow down during the summer months. People travel and take vacations, the kids are out of school, and most of our client’s money is spent on summer fun. If business gets a little slow during summer, be creative, and think of ways you can revamp or energize your business for when things get ready to pick up.
As a business owner, we know that the tide of business can ebb and flow. But, we must keep branding our business no matter what. The internet is a highway of information and activity, and we don’t want to be forgotten in the hustle and bustle. If you are going to keep your business on the minds of the public, you have to make sure you are consistently looking fresh. Below are 8 “things to do” for your business during the slow summer season.
- Get new business cards. Business cards are not expensive. Take a look at your cards and see if they need an overhaul. Make sure all of the key elements are on your cards such as your email, contact number, social links, and updated images.
- Revamp or Revisit your website. It is important to have a website, but if you have not touched it or updated it in months or even a year–it is time to energize your website. Make sure you have new images on your site. Make sure they fit the season. Make sure your links work, and your pages are easy to navigate. Make sure your website is mobile friendly. It should look good and be formatted for all cell phones and tablets. Make it work for you.
- Design colorful postcards or media. Even though most of what we do is on the internet these days, postcards and print media are still two good methods of reaching your clients. Make sure your postcards, flyers and other information that you hand out to clients are appealing and eye-catching. If not, take time to redesign them. Postcards and other print media are not expensive with companies like VistaPrint and Overstock.com. Check them out.
- Update your social media profiles and bios. I work with clients on a weekly basis. I help them set up their social media. But, just because we set up our sites months ago doesn’t mean we can’t update them once in a while. Check your social media sites. Is it possible that you can re-word your bios. Can you add your website links to the sites? The names of your social sites should match your company. Contact information should be up to date. Go through all of your sites, and make sure your theme and mission line up with the focus and goals of your company.
- Look at your online brand through the eyes of a potential customer. Take a day or two to look at your overall online brand. Go through everything that represents your company online such as website, blog, social media sites and even email. Make sure that a potential client knows what you are offering if he/she happens up on your company through an online search. Make sure you captivate that client so that he/she contacts you.
- Go on an adventure and get those creative juices flowing. If your business is a little slow this summer, go on an adventure. Plan to visit a museum or a festival or an event. Getting out of your office or home can spark ideas and creativity. Take your phone or a notepad with you so you can take notes because you will find ideas for your business.
- Read a good book on business. We know that knowledge is power. Just because you have been in business awhile doesn’t mean you can’t learn some new techniques. With new technology and innovative strategies today; there is still so much to learn. Get a good business book on management, marketing, sales or finances and read it this summer. Apply some of the principles to your own business. It is always good to hear what other business owners have to say about being a success in the business world.
- Exercise, relax and take a break. When business is moving and shaking, we are always so busy. It is nothing wrong with taking a little break from it all during the slow times. Exercise is good for stress. Take an evening walk and let your mind rejuvenate. Relax a little. If you can, go on a small get-a-way–Daycations are popular. You can even relax at home. Watch a good movie or two. You can even pick a day or a few hours out of each week to just unwind and get away from it all.
