‘Tis the season for sales and specials

So the holidays are officially over and with no major spending season on the horizon, some of you may be wondering how to keep your business buzzing.  While new product development and focusing on back-office operations can and should be facilitated during this period, it should also be a time to create your own buzz with sales and specials!

By their very definition, sales and specials suggest using some type of promotional action to elicit a positive response from your customer.  A ‘promotional’ sale uses discounts and free gift offers etc., to push products out of the store resulting in an increase in sales; specials on the other hand while also applicable to a trading setting, also refers to service-oriented businesses that may provide a limited time offer or ‘free’ sign-up along with other incentives for a service.  E.g. three-month installation free when you sign up for a home or business security service.

These activities provide an avenue to continue the promotions that were done throughout the holiday season.  Of course, sales and specials are to be supported by other marketing activities such as advertising; both on and offline as well as public relations.

Image courtesy of thisisxbox.com

Here are a few tips on how you can include some impromptu sales/specials tactics in your business today:

-          Reuse sales announcements material – As a general rule, it is always advisable to make generic advertising material so that they can be reused.  This type of material should have no date or specific information relating to location, date or time.  If you have a storefront, it is a great way to inform your customer that there is a sale.  You will save yourself both time and money this way.  These said sales announcements should also be available electronically for your online customers.

-          Dust off the database – It’s time to touch base with your customers.  Whether it is a newsletter, text message or DM, it’s time to contact your customers and inform them of the specials on offer.

-          Mark down old inventory – If you have an item for over six months, chances are it’s no longer on trend, place it on the sale rack and if you have too many, have a BOGO sale … it will clear out the older inventory and make way for new, on trend products.

-          Do some radio/TV interviews – As with your newsletter, use a radio/TV interview to share your expertise on a particular topic. Use the opportunity to plug your business and the sale activities that are being offered.

All the best.