For many businesses, after the holidays it is a tough time. In January, sales slow or stop completely as those card bills from the holidays are handed out and people start cutting back. However, don’t let the post-holiday let down stop you from offering value for your customers. There are ways you can continue to reach out and maybe even make a sale or two in the first quarter of 2020.
Offer Something for Free
One of the best ways to get customers to your website is to offer something for free. No matter what time of year, free is a great gimmick. By offering a free eBook or white paper at the beginning of the year, you’re keeping your brand at the front of people’s minds.
Plus, that person may add something else to their shopping cart before they check out with that free eBook.
Discount
If you can’t do free, give it at a discounted rate. Consider a winter sale or tell customers you’re clearing out your winter stock to make room for stuff in the spring. There are plenty of excuses to have a sale and if the discounts are big enough on items of value, shoppers are going to buy even if their pocketbooks are hurting afterward.
Play the Self-Help Card
The first few months of 2020 are the best time to play off of people’s New Year’s resolutions. If you’re selling a cookbook, then play up or highlight your low-calorie recipes for the people who have resolved to eat healthier or lose weight. If you’re a personal trainer, offer a package of training classes to new customers.
Use those New Year’s resolutions to your advantage.
Offer Something New
It’s a new year so why not offer a new product. One of the best ways to get customers coming back is to offer them something brand new. FOMO — the Fear of Missing Out — is strong in some customers and so a new product may be just what it takes to get them back in the door or on your website.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Even if you don’t offer a discount or something for free, make sure you use those new contacts you made during the holiday rush. Add those new customers to your email lists and touch base now and again. Send out tips and tricks to help them in the new year.
Just by keeping your name out there, you’re building a foundation of trust with your new potential customers. You’re growing your relationship and that’s never a bad thing. To read some of our previous blogs, including some tips on improving your sales funnel check out this previous post.
Happy holidays!
Written by Erika Towne