Summer business ideas

We've already looked at some things you can do to keep the sales rolling in during the summer months when we looked at small business summer ideas last time.

So this week we'll take you through some more ideas to generate additional sales and cash during the slower summer months.

Stage an Event

OK, sometimes the weather is unpredictable if you are looking about an outdoor event, but any event will create a buzz and get people talking about it.

Just ensure you are having your event for a reason. It should be based around a timeline or something in your business (or personal life), such as:

• A 10 year sale - celebrating 10 years
• A moving sale
• Your wedding sales/ bonuses (because you are getting married)

People are more likely to attend or grab the offers because there is an event in your own life that they can associate with.

Other events can be general but are quite niche related so will target less people:

• A themed event (such as Elvis singers in restaurants)
• Other themed events based around your products (eg: Columbian coffee day for a coffee shop - and associated foods)
• A childrens day - with stuff for the kids
• A cartoon day - ditto
• Other stuff for kids - because they are on holiday !

It's not too late to think of something. Maybe in 2 weekend's time you can stage an event? Just ensure that as many people possible know about it. Put posters/ flyers up tomorrow announcing your event. Call in favours with your associates to advertise in their businesses for you. Call the local paper and tell them about it (and if you have something that's related to your own business then they're more likely pick it up).

Just run with it. For the kids side, they are off from school so this may be an excellent avenue to go down. Even though a lot of families go away during this time, there are still a large percentage still around to target.

Special offers - special advertising methods

Everyone likes a special offer.

Special offers in supermarkets get people in the door - once in they spend more.

In a restaurant or retail venture it's the same. To get people to try them out and spend more whilst they're in there. So don't be afraid to try special offers to get folks inside.

Once you know your marginal cost of operating (those are the *additional* costs you incur for one additional customer - because whether that person comes in or not, you still have overheads such as rent, staff, and utilities) then you can decide what you want to make your special offer at.

You may decide not to make a profit because people will spend more when they're in your business. It may be there just to get new people to try you out.

You may even give customers who visit today a special discount if they come back in the next 4 weeks to buy something !

So as long as you know your marginal cost - you will always make profits.

And this game is to get people coming back. Keeping your existing customers and getting them to spend even more - today, tomorrow, next month, next year. A special offer is a good way to keep loyalty - you can even email them this tomorrow.

Do you advertise ?

Now may be a good time to advertise. As advertising budgets deplete during the summer months, publications, and other media are desperate for advertising revenues so you can get a good discount.

Additionally, as less people are advertising, your ad will stand out more because there are less people advertising !

Also think about radio advertising. It's relatively inexpensive compared with the impact and brand building you'll undertake - do some research and see.

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