When you think about summer, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Long days, full of sunshine? Vacations?
While the summer months bring much needed Vitamin D, it can also be a dry period for many businesses. If you fall into that category, it’s a good idea to look outwards, so you can boost revenue and enjoy more of your summertime bliss.
1: Create a Flash Sale
We’ve all bought items during a flash sale at one point or another. It’s a great way to induce just a bit of FOMO and create buzz around a product or offer in your business.
Why a flash sale?
- Increased customer loyalty – What customers don’t love when their favorite brands have sales? It gives them the chance to keep and build that brand loyalty.
A brand that does this well is Bath and Body Works. Customers are always on the edge of their seats for the next $12 3-wick candle sale. Once you make your purchase, there’s a 99% chance you’re getting another coupon to use for your next visit.
BONUS TIP: Kendra Scott is another brand that does flash sales well, but something they do that increases customer loyalty is birthday sales. During customer’s birthday months, they’re able to buy a piece of jewelry for 50% off. Not only does this encourage customers to walk through those gold doors during their birthday, but once they’re inside, there’s a greater chance they’re walking out with more than just one piece.
- Attract new customers
Flash sales are a great way to let new customers dip their toes in trying your product or service. If they discover your brand during the summer months, there’s a good chance they’ll think of your brand for the holiday months. Starting to build that trust factor early is only going to work in your favor.
Flash sales are great for those slow summer months and to re-engage past customers who haven’t bought in a while, but discounting too much can cut into profit, so be sure to have a firm hold on the numbers before opting for this option.
2: Affiliate program
If you have a network of people to connect with, an affiliate program can be a great way to increase the eyes on your product or service.
Why an affiliate program?
- Increase the number of people who see your product
If you were to ask 5-6 people who have anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 people on their list, you’re increasing your visibility tenfold. Not only this, but you have the potential to tap into different markets of people depending on what you’re selling.
- Pre-established trust
When it comes to affiliate marketing, you’re tapping into an audience that has already built trust with the owner. Your product or service is more likely to be accepted because they trust who’s telling them about it. It’s kind of like sending your offer to a list of semi-warm leads. They’re already there to listen.
How to dabble in affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing spans across platforms be it email, social media, or other forms of media.
To set your affiliates up for success, it’s a good idea to provide them with the content ahead of time, so they can just load and send it to their audience. Borrowing an audience is a big deal, so providing your affiliates with what they need will help you and encourage them to continue being an affiliate.
3: Become a sponsor
With the way social media and podcasts are booming, becoming a sponsor for a micro-mid influencer or mid-level podcast could be just the kick you need during summer months.
Why become a sponsor?
- Borrowed audience at low cost
It gives your product or service the chance to get in front of an audience for a smaller price tag than TV or radio ads. That’s the benefit of this day in age. Getting offers out there is easier now than ever.
Finding an influence or podcast that has an aligned audience for your offer will boost revenue. And like affiliate marketing, the audience already knows, likes, and trusts the influence/podcast, so they will be more inclined to listen to what they have to say.
4: One-off products or Services
One-off products can be a great way to introduce your product to a new audience or retarget past buyers.
Types of products or services to create:
- Masterclass or workshop – If you provide a service, hosting a masterclass or workshop gives your audience the chance to learn from you while also building trust at a lower ticket price.
- Guides – Providing a supplement guide over a topic in your niche is another low ticket, low stress, way to get more people interested in your bigger offers.
You could also create a one-time code for these products for a certain period of time to create a bit of urgency for these offers.
5: Upsells and Add-on Services
Upselling or adding on products or services is a great way to increase revenue during those summer months. But how do you do it?
If your customer is purchasing one of your offers, is there an additional offer that compliments the original offer?
Let’s use a couple of examples – Product-based vs service-based
Product-based: Your customer is purchasing body lotions and body washes… Once they head to check out, you can encourage them to add-on a sugar scrub and body oil to their purchase.
It’s a compliment to what they’re already purchasing and increases their chances of adding it to their cart since they’re already in the buying process.
Service-based: If you offer a service, you also have the chance to add on additional services or upsell them to a similar service that provides even more support and value.
If you’re a graphic designer who is selling the creation of templates for Instagram, you can upsell your customer to create custom templates or add on templates for other social media platforms, their website, or templates for courses.
About The Author
Rachel Gogos is a multi-passionate entrepreneur with a strong desire to help people by creating strong personal brands and businesses. She’s personally launched dozens of books, e-products, and services; and hundreds of products and services with her clients. She started her career at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, where she helped create the look and feel for the organization’s first website.
Today, in her current role running brandiD, Rachel channels over 15 years of marketing and communications experience into each and every website for brandiD’s clients.
And check out her book, Build Your Brand: The Distinctive Guide to Soul-Based Marketing. It will help you uncover your personal brand.
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