The SMB's Guide to End of Summer Savings! How to Keep Sales Hot As the Weather Cools Off
Once the end of summer rolls around, many businesses experience a drop in orders and traffic. This can be a discouraging moment for any business owner who doesn’t know how to keep their momentum going.
You don't have to let your sales drop after the summer, as utilizing the right strategies can help keep your business moving forward. It involves staying connected with your customers and adapting to seasonal changes.
To maximize sales during the end of summer season, businesses should offer attractive deals while also capitalizing on targeted marketing to boost their customer base and improve their online presence.
6 Ways to Keep End of Summer Sales Going Strong
Here are some strategies businesses can utilize in order to boost those end of summer sales and keep your business steady heading into the fall season!
Prioritize Email Marketing
Even though social media has become the primary method of communication, email still remains an effective way to keep in touch with your customers and inspire interest. It can help you show your store’s potential clients that you're ready to delight them.
In spite of how electronic overload and spam filters have become prevalent, email promotions still provide many benefits. One of the most effective ways to take advantage of these is through tailoring. According to a study, emails that are personalized are more likely to be opened.
Including a first name can increase the likelihood that your message will be seen. Using the power of your POS database can also help you send customized messages, which can include the name of the potential buyer. Studies have shown that an email marketing campaign can yield a return of around $32 for every dollar spent.
Put On an Event or Host a Class
An end-of-the-summer seasonal event that is focused on celebrating the summer season can help boost sales by creating a sense of excitement and urgency among customers. Various events can be organized to create a memorable and unique experience for consumers, which can include in-store parties, festivals, social media campaigns, and online contests.
Parties, festivals with food, and other themed events such as a movie night are all great examples that can result in customers being enticed with special deals while enjoying themselves, which can then encourage them to make purchases. Participating in summer festivals and other related themed events can also help boost visibility and generate leads.
To create a sense of urgency and appreciation for the season, end-of-summer events, such as farewell brunches and send-off parties, can also be organized.
Businesses can significantly increase their sales during the final month of the summer season by effectively executing promotions and events. These can create unforgettable experiences for customers and foster revenue growth.
Increase Social Media Engagement
Social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook provide you with an opportunity to interact with your customers and promote your back-to-school bargains. You should also regularly update your content to keep up with the changes in your customers' preferences.
Remember that people often visit your page a few times each week. To keep them entertained, provide them with fresh text and video content. Also, encourage your customers to share their own fun content, such as demos and reviews, to connect with you and help build a stronger community.
In just a few years, social media has completely overtaken paid search as the most influential channel on the Internet. Most of the world's consumers use Facebook, followed by Instagram at 79%. TikTok, on the other hand, has experienced significant growth rates.
The back-to-school season is a great time to launch a marketing campaign, as it provides an opportunity to capitalize on the sales opportunities that are available to you. Before you start planning your strategy, take some time to analyze the various factors that will affect your sales, such as your customer's demographics and seasonal themes.
Focus on Targeted Promotions and Discounts
Even though summer is over, sales can still bounce back with new reasons to celebrate. For example, you can create deals designed to coincide with the needs of your customers, such as back-to-school packages for parents and students, as well as fall flash sales.
The urgency of your dropshipping store can be used to drive action. For instance, you can create countdown timers and "only a few left" banners to encourage customers to make quick purchases. You can additionally give loyal customers early access to new products by rewarding them with exclusive offers. Consistent messaging is very important to build trust and excitement among your customers.
One of the most effective ways to increase the average order value is by implementing tiered discounts, such as "Spend $50, get 10% off." This type of deal makes customers feel that they're getting a better deal, which can lead to more purchases.
Create a Back-to-School Campaign
Although it's hard for many families to make ends meet due to the current economic situation, some expenses are unavoidable. Back-to-school costs are among these, and teachers and students will need to purchase various supplies and equipment to get ready for the upcoming school year. As a retailer, it's important that you take advantage of this customer's pain point while still remaining empathetic.
You must not let this opportunity pass you by, as the estimated cost of back-to-school supplies is expected to reach over $21 billion. Parents can easily spend upwards of $200 on each child, and almost 90% of them will go to a physical store to purchase their items.
A number of customers will also make purchases outside of the physical store. Less than 40% of shoppers opt to do so through a website, while another small number use an app to obtain the items they require. Regardless of the method they choose, coupons are always valued and favored by families doing lots of back to school shopping in particular.
Utilize Seasonal Marketing in Various Ways
One of the most effective ways to attract more customers is by keeping your content updated and promoting seasonal themes. This can help keep the buyers interested in your brand and provide them with the necessary information to make informed decisions. Instead of being overwhelmed by a vast selection of products, focus on creating targeted landing pages and in-store displays that are geared toward helping students complete their school-related tasks.
When it comes to promoting promotions and bundles, which allow customers to get a deeper discount, this strategy is even more effective. According to a survey, 75% of consumers are inclined to buy if they are given a chance to receive a discount. More importantly, 85% of shoppers would not hesitate to return an item if they find it to be full price. Overall, It is important that you increase the value of school supplies by offering bulk discounts and bundling comparable products.
Employee Recognition Program
According to studies, employees who feel appreciated and recognized are more loyal and engaged. They also tend to be more productive and have a better work-life balance. Having an environment that is conducive to employee happiness can help boost your company's performance, and one of the most effective ways to improve employee morale is by showing appreciation for their hard work.
Those who receive regular recognition are more engaged, and this can lead to higher retention and engagement rates. Acknowledgement of their hard work can keep them motivated to continue contributing to the company's success. In addition, it can help boost employee satisfaction and productivity.
Employee Satisfaction is Key to Company Success
By encouraging staff members to acknowledge the achievements of their peers, your enterprise can foster a more collaborative atmosphere and boost team morale. The components of creating a favorable work atmosphere are crucial, and they can help you attain a more uplifting atmosphere. Having a supportive environment helps employees feel valued and contributes to superior work.
A good recognition program should be sustainable, and it should be designed to meet the needs of your employees. When developing it, start small to see how it can help boost employee engagement and satisfaction. You can then make further improvements as the program continues to grow.
A formal recognition program is usually planned ahead of time and carried out on a large scale. It can be presented in the form of a raise, bonus, or review. In addition, it's typically delivered by senior management and other top officials.
However, a formal recognition program isn’t always necessary as small and deeds and gifts are also effective. Methods of informal recognition, which is not as organized, is sporadic and doesn't usually happen in advance. It can be delivered by peers or leaders spontaneously. Some examples of informal acknowledgment include offering a shout-out at a meeting or giving out a gift card to a hard working employee.
Employee Recognition Strategies
Charity donations: Having a program that allows employees to make donations can help build a stronger relationship between your company and its workers. It can also help boost employee morale and improve their job fulfillment. By helping them give back to the community, your company shows that it values their time and talents.
Health & Wellness: This concept is similar to giving gifts, but it's focused on employee wellness. Show your staff that you care about their well-being by giving them services and goods that can help them improve their mental and physical health. Some of these ideas could include a gym membership or a book about work-life balance.
Employee Spotlight: Any employee who has worked and helped boost company sales should be publicly acknowledged for their hard work and dedication. They should be highlighted for their skills and suggestions that could improve the business, as well as for any recent initiatives that have improved it. Their achievements can be featured in your newsletter or website for example.
Gift Cards: Another way to acknowledge an employee's hard work and dedication is by giving them tangible presents to show appreciation for their efforts. Since this concept can be used to reward employees for both their daily and significant achievements, it can be accommodated in various different ways. For instance, a company could purchase a gift card for a local coffee shop to show appreciation for an employee after a big sale.
End Summer with a Bang & Help Motivate Employees with Gift Card Granny
Even though summer is over, your company’s sales shouldn't stop. You can still keep your business thriving by planning ahead, maintaining consistent marketing, and releasing seasonal updates. Your customers will still love your products and services and you can stay in touch with them by providing the best possible shopping experience.
It's time to put the summer behind us and start preparing for the school year. This is the ideal time to reinvigorate your marketing efforts and engage with your customers as they return from their vacations.
A personalized and flexible gift card can help motivate your staff members. With Gift Card Granny, your employees can receive a reward that's appropriate for their specific needs and interests. Unlike cash or generic gifts, gift cards allow employees to pick whatever they want.
Through a recognition program, you can create a culture of positivity and appreciation among your employees. By incorporating gift cards into the mix, you can ensure that the rewards are linked to specific recognitions of the staff's contributions and achievements.