You know how it is. When the cold north wind begins to blow and the snow starts to fall, so do your sales. Most people would rather hibernate indoors where it’s warm. Only a few hardy souls will venture into the great outdoors in the dead of winter. How do you keep your outdoor business profitable during the winter off-season? Here are seven ways to keep your sales hot when it’s cold outside.
1. Promote Winter Activities at the End of Summer
As the summer sun starts to set, get people excited about the snow that’s just around the corner. Launch a winter gear sale a month or so before cold weather sets in. Get people excited about outdoor winter activities. Offer discounts on winter coats, hats, gloves, boots and other apparel. Put the snow skis, snowboards, sleds, ice skates, and winter camping gear on sale. Make sure your marketing materials emphasize that these deals won’t last long. Urge them to gear up before prices go back to normal.
2. Have a Summer Gear Sale in January
In the dead of winter, when everyone is bundled up dreaming of warmer days, get them excited about the coming summer with a sizzling sale on summer gear. Encourage them to snag some gear for their summer adventures before prices return to normal. Buying gear in January means they’ll be all ready when the warm weather comes and won’t have to worry about items being out of stock.
3. Give Higher Discounts to Members
Offer customers the chance to become members and get a 5% discount in exchange for some personal data like their mailing address, phone number, and email. Sweeten the deal in the off-season by upping the discount to 10%. This not only encourages more sales, but also helps build a loyal customer base.
4. Host Free Events and Workshops
Free classes are a great way to engage your customers and keep them coming back. Offer workshops for all skill levels. Cover basic skills such as bicycle safety, how to change a flat tire, or pack a backpack. Or offer more advanced skills like first aid and wilderness survival.
Conduct classes on how to properly clean and maintain your backpacking and camping equipment, or how to repair a tear in a tent or replace lost parts. The ideas are endless. Educating your customers not only builds loyalty but also boosts your sales.
5. Get Ready for the Busy Season
Use the off-season to catch up on all those tasks you fell behind on during your busy months. Plan your marketing strategies, sales, and outreach for the upcoming busy season. This prep work will pay huge dividends when things heat up again, ensuring you’re ready to hit the ground running.
6. Keep Customers Engaged
Keep your customers in the loop about what’s happening with a monthly newsletter, regular emails, and blog posts. Share special deals, discounts, stories, tips, and answers to common questions. Regular content keeps your business top of mind, so when they’re ready to buy, they think of you first.
7. Leverage Social Media for Seasonal Campaigns
Don’t underestimate the power of social media! Run seasonal campaigns on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share photos of winter adventures, user-generated content, and behind-the-scenes peeks at your store. Host contests or giveaways to keep the excitement alive. Social media is a great way to keep your audience engaged and remind them that your store has everything they need for outdoor fun, no matter the season.
Keeping customers engaged throughout the year is crucial for your bottom line. But let’s face it, you may not have the time to regularly write newsletters, emails, or blog posts because you’re too busy running your business.
If that’s the case, let me know … I’ll be glad to help you out. Contact me now.