In order to maximize productivity, it is important to create a strategy for success. While developing a goal statement and action plan is imperative to your long-term success, looking closely at your target audience and seasonality can also improve sales. As we enter Q4 of 2019, let’s take a look at some sales strategies and where to focus your efforts.
Seasonal Businesses
Winter is approaching. Start to think of businesses that are involved with Fall clean up, Snow Removal, chimney sweeps, vacation planning and travel. Have you thought about Auto Repair/Collision/Towing companies that may need additional exposure? Or what about people who are looking for HVAC services to get the furnace serviced or that may need emergency services due to frozen pipes, no heat, electrical issues, etc.?
Leverage the Holiday Spending
While retail is the obvious business category, also think about restaurants, catering, function rooms, events and hospitality businesses. And of course, with more people entertaining guests, Home décor, kitchen & bath remodeling businesses are a great target as people search for those last-minute improvements and furnishings.
Professional Services
Accountants/Tax Professionals/Bookkeepers are too busy Jan-April, but they should start their marketing efforts now. As far as the legal industry, slip and fall accidents, DUI, and family law unfortunately become topics around the holidays and Winter as well.
Health Professionals
With cold & flu season and Winter-related injuries, people are looking for doctors, urgent care facilities, and other health professionals. And many wellness services are great for gift-giving opportunities, so these businesses need a way to promote seasonal specials or gift certificates.
Health & Beauty Services
Beauty-based businesses are busy with everyone wanting to look their best, so salons, spas, barbershops need to capitalize on marketing not only their services, but also their product offerings. And as January is around the corner, people are already researching their next gym, diet, personal trainer, so this is the time of year that the health industry needs to double-down on their marketing efforts and budgets.
Holidays/Events this quarter:
- Columbus Day
- Halloween
- Veteran’s Day
- Thanksgiving
- Black Friday
- Cyber Monday
- Christmas
- Christmas Eve
- Boxing Day
- New Year’s Eve
- New Year’s Day
60% of consumers plan to spend more than half of their holiday shopping online, according to an Internet Retailer and Bizrate Insights survey of consumers in November 2018. And more than 80% plan to spend at least a quarter of their holiday spend online1. For Retail businesses, it is urgent to getting online and integrating ecommerce prior to the online shopping season. At the very least, businesses should plan a way for people to buy gift cards or gift certificates online through their website for last-minute gift-giving or those out-of-state customers.
You can’t deny that some industries are largely impacted with the shift to Quarter 4 and the Winter months. As a WebCenter Owner, you can succeed by creating a strong candidate list. Look at the categories mentioned, and start brainstorming your list of who you know in each of these business categories. Who do you know that owns a company, works for a company, or someone you do business with that fits into these industries? Who do you know that may use these services that you can ask for a referral?
Everything starts with the list! Then do a little research for each candidate on the list to create some talking points for when you contact them. Call the company and use an interest-creating remark, such as, “with the holidays around the corner, ______ businesses are looking to ________. I help companies evaluate their online marketing strategies to increase their exposure to lead to more sales. I’ve done a little research on your business, but I’d like to meet for 15 minutes to learn more about your business and goals to share some recommendations and see if there’s a way we can help.”
Leverage Sales Support and schedule website and Digital Marketing Demo appointments with these candidates and our Product Specialists. You can’t help but succeed when you implement the 5 C’s and take action!
