Tips for generating business during quiet times...

It can be really disheartening when business is slow and you can find yourself at a loss of how to turn things around.

Here are some great tips on where to get started with drumming up business when business is slow.

Business Generating Tips...

Speak to customers

During quiet times why not pick up the phone and contact past customers? This way you could identify any new opportunities or your customers might even know someone who needs your services. Telesales is a cost effective way of generating business.

Networking

There are a wealth of FREE business clubs and networking events these days. Networking needs to be a continuous activity and it's about building good relationships which takes time and effort. Check out your local Business Link www.businesslink.gov.uk or Chamber Of Commerce www.britishchambers.org.uk for networking events.

Send something in the mail

If telesales is not for you why not send your customers something in the post? Today snail mail is more effective than e-mail. A well-designed flyer can deliver your message better than electronic marketing, because it is much more visual and takes a little more effort to discard than just pressing the delete button. Combining phone calls with direct mail dramatically improves response rates. If you have added new equipment or a new service to your shop use direct mail to promote it.

Follow up old leads

Make sure that you always follow up any quotes that you have sent. By contacting people who have asked for a quote you are reminding them of your services. You can also find out why your quote wasn't successful, dig for any information as this will be useful to you in the future.

Find new customers

Decide who is your ideal customer and then contact these face to face, by phone, mail, email or advertising. If you have never tried this before you might find it quite difficult at first but if you continue with this it will start to generate a steady flow of new and exciting enquiries.
Housekeeping

If it's quiet spend time updating your website (or creating one!), update any literature, update your show room or samples so that when customers do call in they can see lots of good examples of the work that you can do.

Identify and sell more to your most valuable customers

Being in a position to focus on your most valuable customers might sound like a luxury. After all, many small businesses are grateful for your customers of any kind. But every business finds that some customers are more valuable than others. Successful businesses are generally those that identify these customers, build relationships with them and work to bring in new customers with a similar profile.