Summer Business Plan…do you have one?
by Robin Lemon
We certainly don’t just “shut down” during the summer months, we wouldn’t want to lose what we have worked so hard to build. We can enjoy the perks of being our own boss of our business by shifting our schedules, or limiting our time working our businesses and maintain them through the summer months.
The summer months may be the best time of the year for promoting. While we are out vacationing, attending cookouts, parties and other summertime events we will be making alot of new contacts.
No, I am not recommending you spend your summer trying to sell your products/services.
SELL YOURSELF (I don’t mean your body either)! The best seeds are planted when your are developing relationships, making new friends and just being yourself. You gain respect and trust, your first step in gaining new customers and prospects.
Here is a little exercise to do this summer. Keep a log of people you come in contact with over the summer months so we can refer back to it later. Buy a tiny little notebook/memopad to keep in your purse so you can jot down comments about these people . Later your notes will serve as a reminder how you can add this person to your list of contacts. You’ll be suprised how casual conversation can turn into a building block for your business without even realizing it. So the notes will help when it’s time.
For example: so and so has a friend to refer to you but she may forget over the summer or what was the name of that place some one told you about that you could get a great deal on a supply you need?
I had some perforated business cards made by Kelli at www.charmedstores.com that I will use when I speak to someone that I definitely need to follow up with. One part they take and the other half I make comments on and collect their info. These cards were completely customized to what I wanted. She also makes my biz cards that I give out freely in large amounts, but just because you gave the card out doesn’t mean you’ll hear back, most people probably lose them.
There are also the summer vendor events like craft shows and fairs that many of us participate in. Some of us get to sell our stuff and make some $$ on the spot, but we all have the opportunity to meet a TON of new people that could become future cutomers/prospects.
Make sure you have the materials to pass out and your 30 second commercial ready. When planning these types of events, imagine that you are one of the crowd passing by a table/booth, what makes one stand out from another? It is all in the way you present your products and yourself.
Shows can be alot of work and very tiring, but very beneficial.
You can work your business while having fun this summer!
Robin Lemon ~Work at Home Mom
owner of http://www.NaturallyDelightful.com Herbal Gifts for Bath, Body and Home and founder of Moms in Business of Southeast Michigan, Business Networking Organization http://www.momsinbusiness.org
