Increase Sales – 4 Ways to Get Out of a Sales Slump…Fast!
In meeting with many of my clients the past few weeks, when I asked them how their businesses are doing, many of them say, “Slow!” Contacts who expressed interest don’t return phone calls, missed appointments aren’t rescheduled, and buying decisions are delayed.
Any business can slip into a slow period. But, the trick is to know WHAT to do to get your business back on track as quickly as possible…and better yet, HOW to avoid slipping into a slow slump in it in the first place.
Here are 4 tips I personally use to coach my clients out of slow business period:
Tip #1 Reach Out and Touch Someone
When a sales slump hits, your energy seems to drain away as well. Before you know it, you hardly have the energy to open your email much less put out the effort to market your business.
The solution to this problem is actually very simple. You MUST reach out and reconnect with past and current clients. Send out an email to your clients, past clients and business associates, explaining the benefits of working with you, and ask for a referral. Include a f-r-e-e article as a way of demonstrating value, and you may find you’re on the path to picking up new clients in a few weeks (I have seen this happen!).
Tip #2 Remind Yourself You’re “Not Bugging” Someone by Contacting Them
If you have clients, who haven’t used a package they purchased from you or have missed appointments without rescheduling, then it is up to you to reach out to them. I recommend making a friendly call, or sending a hand written note reminding them you want them to get the results of the service they purchased. You’ll be surprised at how often your clients express appreciation and gratitude at your thoughtfulness for reminding them to use your services!
Tip #3 Refocus on Your Business
Sometimes sales slip because our attention and focus has been directed on anything BUT our business. If that’s the case, then this is the time to give yourself a break, stop feeling guilty, and give yourself the breathing room to make a fresh start. Set small daily goals that include reconnecting with past clients and colleagues, then build up your energy and actions from there.
Tip #4 Keep Your Eye on the Prize
Twice each year, spend a couple of days evaluating my goals and income, and then take a fresh look at where you’re headed with your business. The start of a new year is a perfect time to do this activity, as well as the end of every quarter year.
This allows you to plan new events, programs, and product launches that will keep your income flowing smoothly, and growing year-round.
So, if your sales are slower than you’d like, or you want to 1ncrease your sales, then now is the perfect time to reconnect to WHY you do what you do, reach out to WHO you love working with the most, then follow up, follow up, follow up to keep your relationships strong and profitable!
How do you get your business out of a sales slump? Share your expertise and write a comment for our readers.
January and February sales are usually the lowest as compared to the other months of the year. However, when sales are low, it is an opportune time to really evaluate the business and set goals for the entire year.
Marketing is very important. This is the time to launch new products and advertise and market them to your valued customers. At least you have something new to offer.
People in the organization should be made aware of the sales slump and everybody should be mobilized to contribute to sales building.
If sales still don’t come in, then it’s time to cut on cost and concentrate on the lowest possible cost that the business can survive in. When sales improve, then the business can revert to normalcy.
Two ways to manage the business: increase the top line (sales) or reduce the operating cost to achieve a bottom line (income).
Bonita, you are quite right. And all your points imply a little readjusting of the mind and heart about one’s business. Particularly the point about “take a fresh look” at where one is going. Sometimes, a fresh look is all one needs to get back on track and shake oneself out of a limited state of mind.
Tony, thank you! Yes, I think sometimes small business owners forget to evaluate what they’re doing, and if it is working for them…both in their business, and for their spirit. Thanks for contributing
Ting, excellent ideas, and I absolutely agree with all your tips, and have a comment about the last two: increase the top line or reduce operating costs, to achive bottom line income. It seems like a simple formula, doesn’t it? Yet, I do believe many small business owners don’t look at their business performance results, and make necessary adjustments when sales are slow, and times are challenging. Thank you for your ideas!