Does your business slow down in the summer months? Do you need income NOW? Here are a few tips to use this time to your advantage, and earn income along the way.
Announce an affiliate program. Chances are, if business is slow for you, it is because it is also slow for your clients, and they are also looking for ways to earn additional income. Announce an affiliate program to current clients to drum up new business. Rewarding clients for bringing in potential clients will pay off for both of you.
Reconnect with past clients for projects or referrals. Reach out to former clients and let them know you have an opening this summer. Perhaps they are gearing up for a product release in the fall. Or, maybe they’ve had a product on the back burner for awhile. If they don’t need your services, perhaps they know somebody who does – ask for a referral.
Create an information product, or bring back an old favorite. If you have a difficult time writing when you’re busy with client work, the slower summer months are a great time to finally crank out that e-book you’ve been mulling over. Or, consider bringing back a favorite at a special price, for a limited time, and generate some income with very little effort.
Out of town, not out of mind. Keep that income, and your message out there, even if you are at the beach. If you are going to be away for vacation, ensure that your marketing and e-commerce is systemized so it keeps running when you are not. Set up and schedule your e-newsletter, article submissions and blog posts ahead of time, if possible, and if necessary, ask an associate or assistant to be sure they are going out on track that week, and have her follow up with a few tweets and posts while you are away.
Invest in yourself and your business. While the phone’s not ringing off the hook, and your inbox is a bit lighter, perhaps now is a good time for you to reassess aspects of your company and its offerings, brush up on social media, or work on a new business idea. You may have a product in development, or need to spruce up your web presence, or even your office space. Never seem to have time to work on your business or marketing plans? Do you or your team need to brush up on technology? There is no better time than the present. The idea is to set something in motion that will improve your bottom line over the coming year, if not in the immediate future.
Don’t let the dog days of summer slow you down! Use your savvy to generate business, sales, and potential clients during this traditional down time, and you’ll find yourself ahead of the game when the busy season starts!
Donna Toothaker is CEO, founder and coach of Step It Up VA Coaching. These highly sought-after VA coaching programs have been created for established, successful VAs who wish to create the 6-figure business of their dreams. Visit http://www.stepitupva.com to receive the free report, Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid in Creating a 6-Figure VA Business.
