6 simple ideas to get you through a sales slump

6 simple ideas to get you through a sales slump

It’s the month of March and the holiday season is truly done and dusted. Shoppers who have overspent are in saving mode and those who have stuck to their budgets are unlikely to splurge when there’s no special reason to do so. But as a business owner, you need to stay afloat and keep going all year round. We put on our thinking caps (so you don’t have to!) and came up with some ideas to help you through a sales slump.

 

Tip #1: Create something new

You don‘t need an occasion to have a limited edition product. Refresh an existing product line or tweak one of your best-selling items with special features to entice shoppers who may otherwise scroll past your product.

Tip in action

myBurgerLab created a new burger, “The Ultraman Tiga” aka Salted Egg Yolk Burger specially for the month of March! Put on your bib and start drooling here

How could anyone pass on the chance to chomp on this delicious creation. Photo credit: @darien1996

How could anyone pass on the chance to chomp on this delicious creation. Photo credit: @darien1996

 

Tip #2: Enhance your website

Take advantage of the slow season to do some digital housekeeping. It could be giving your product photos a different treatment, or optimising your website with faster loading time, better keywords, mobile-friendly features etc). So when the shopping season comes round again, you’re all set to capture the add-to-cart crowd.

Tip in action

Fashion Valet added a quick view tool to enlarge photos for close-ups

Zoom in onthe details that matter. Photo credit: www.fashionvalet.com

Zoom in onthe details that matter. Photo credit: www.fashionvalet.com

 

Tip #3: Get social

By social, we mean going beyond social media. While it is great to throw a little giveaway campaign on Facebook or host a hashtag contest on Instagram, sometimes you just have to socialise with actual humans. Look out for upcoming markets and book a spot to showcase your business. If you really can’t find a physical market near you, consider joining an online market community like Shoppertise Marketplace to reach a wider crowd.

Tip in action

There are a few markets coming up. Here’s a good place to start.

Sometimes you need to socialise to strategise! Photo credit: www.facebook.com-marimarket.popupmarket

Sometimes you need to socialise to strategise! Photo credit: www.facebook.com/marimarket.popupmarket

 

Tip #4: Mix it up

Collaborate with other businesses and give each other a shout out. By tapping onto a ready community of entrepreneurs, you’ll reach new followers and contribute to the overall growth of the online business landscape. Customers also love it when they see their favourite stores offering exclusive tie-ups/deals alongside other interesting brands. It’s a win-win for all involved.

Tip in action

In conjunction with Kinokuniya’s 15th Anniversary in KL, Mossery created a series of exclusive stationery sets. Get inspired here.

Special editions a great chance to show off your brand's character. Photo credit: www.facebook.com/mossery

Special edition is a great chance to show off your brand’s character. Photo credit: www.facebook.com-mossery

Source :www.facebook.com-mossery

Source :www.facebook.com/mossery

 

Tip #5: Analyse and prioritise

Take a step back and identify the roadblocks in your business. List down the tasks that take up most of your time and identify cost-effective ways to automate or outsource them. For example, if design work is driving you nuts, try engaging a virtual designer on Supahands or use easy platforms like Canva. Or if managing your inventory is the most time consuming task, use an app like Pocketbook to help you track your orders in real time and on-the-go.

Tip in action
Track your next million dollar deal! Source: www.pocketbook.io

Track your next million dollar deal! Source: www.pocketbook.io

You can finally get a grip on your orders. Source: www.pocketbook.io

You can finally get a grip on your orders. Source: www.pocketbook.io

Tracking payments is easy peasy. Source: www.pocketbook.io.

Tracking payments is easy peasy. Source: www.pocketbook.io.

 

Tip #6: Take a productive break

We hear you asking, “How can a break be productive-ah?”. Well, when you’re relaxed and not thinking about your business, you may find that your creative juices actually start flowing better! Many creative people take sabbaticals every now and then to be inspired for their next creation or product line. Grab a sketchbook and book a stay in the countryside for a few days. It may be just the thing you need to see your business in a whole new light. Furthermore, travelling during the off-peak season could save you some precious ringgits too!

Tip in action

Imagine lazing on a hammock in Langkawi, generating inspirations for your next creation.

Imagine lazing on a hammock in Langkawi, generating inspirations for your next creation. Source: www.bruisedpassports.com

Imagine lazing on a hammock in Langkawi, generating inspirations for your next creation. Source: www.bruisedpassports.com

 

If you have other ideas on how to rock the slow season, leave a comment on Facebook and share it with the community! Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter here to get more useful tips and tricks delivered straight to your inbox.

 

As a business owner, you need to stay afloat and keep going all year round. We put on our thinking caps (so you don’t…

Posted by Shoppertise on Thursday, March 24, 2016


 

Written by

Joanne Chow is a freelance content strategist for Shoppertise. She spent a good 8 years as a full-time advertising slave before calling it quits to spend more time with her bubbly little boy. Organic food, natural skincare products and socially sound business practices keep her inspired to do more good with her words. Although Joanne resides in a different timezone and works mostly when the rest of us are asleep, she finds great satisfaction in being a part of a team that is determined to have fun while chasing dreams.