Ways Your Seasonal Business Can Manage Financial Peaks and Valleys

Whether your register doesn’t stop during December or your lawn mower is going in circles in July, you may experience times where your seasonal business is faced with the challenge of generating revenue.  Luckily, there are endless seasonal business marketing ideas to help you keep the money flowing every day of the year.
In the U.S., there are about 10,000 lawn care service providers according to the Professional Landcare Network.  How do these companies, and others that face seasonal obstacles, keep cash coming in, even after the busy season has come to a close?  To manage fluctuating income, it’s essential to think outside of the box, learn about your customers’ needs, try out new ideas and plan with care.  Here are six tips that can help you give your seasonal business an off-season boost:

Extend Your Season

Make sure you’re maximizing your season.  Oftentimes, seasonal businesses cut themselves short of selling time by a month or two.  Double check and see when people are interested in the services you offer and focus on selling a few weeks prior – and continue a few weeks after –  what you believe to be the prime season.  You may find customers who want to beat the rush or those who are willing to wait until after the end of the season, especially if they are given a discount.  Do some research – you may find your marketing opportunities are even longer than you thought.

Add Complementary Products and Services

A seamless way to move to the next season and keep revenue coming in is to add products and services that serve other seasonal needs of your customers. If your company specializes in snow removal, add some de-icing products to your sales list.

Generate Excitement, Even in Your Off-Season.

During your slower months, hold events to engage and excite your customers.  Don’t hesitate to offer deals in months you would not normally view as prime selling time.  You’ll likely find people who are thrilled for great deals during the off-months and who will take advantage of the specials you offer.

Go Where the Season Is

If your product is aimed towards the summer months, change your marketing approach during the cooler seasons. Reach out to people in other parts of the country or world that still have higher temperatures and could benefit from what you have to offer.  Cultivate new markets and you may see exponential growth and gain a whole new world of customers.

Seek Out Niche Markets

A way to find successful income is to serve niche markets.  If you run a bakery, you can find success during all months through offering products that hit home with a smaller audience, such as sugar or gluten-free muffins or cookies.  Lots of profitable businesses serve thriving niches and experience great success.

Use Your Off Season Well

Oftentimes seasonal businesses have a few months of intense activity, then the routine changes.  Make sure to look ahead at what your next busy season holds, or before you know it that time will be here again.  Regularly review seasonal demands and seek ways to streamline operations.  Of course, work ahead when possible.
Look at your business as one that is not solely seasonal.  Your customers have needs all year long – your challenge is to find ways to serve those needs in a manner that lines up with your existing business.  You can do it!
How do you increase your business during the slower months? Take advantage of off-season marketing by automating season-appropriate messages for your customers!

Source: http://bigideasblog.com