Successful seasonal promotions: How to use timing to grow your business

Whether you arrange flowers for weddings, sell sporting equipment, or design custom motorcycles, there is always a time of year described as the "busy season." You should consider these particular points in the year as opportunities to build sales volumes and win new clients. Among the different techniques to use in a business, seasonal promotions offer a major boost for any company when run successfully. Here are some tips on how to run successful seasonal promos that will grow your business.

Pick the product

Though your signature product may be tailored to your busy season, there is no point in giving away profit at the most productive time of year. Instead, focus on free consultations or complimentary shipping as the hook in the deal. These auxiliary services add up, so customers will appreciate the bonus when they would already be in the market for your company's goods.

Another idea is to make the target deal one of your less popular products. Whether you offer early-bird specials to keep a cafe humming all night or drop prices to clear out overstocked merchandise, discounted products can deliver results if you time your pitch accurately.

Plan your pitch

For summer deals, you will want to start building momentum in mid-spring so consumers are ready to pounce once the calendar turns over into June. Likewise, you should get the word out about winter holiday deals as early as Halloween. No matter when you decide to launch promotions for your business, timing should be your top priority. You cannot execute a successful strategy unless you have a plan in place that you are ready to launch well ahead of the promotional season.

Services like Vionic (available through The UPS Store Small Business Solutions) are able to manage seasonal deals for your business by using social media to get the word out. Professional marketers eliminate any potential confusion or concerns regarding how you will get paid or what image you are presenting. Before you launch any deal, you have the chance to build a solid foundation through your many social network channels.

Promote with a multi-channel approach

Whether you are launching a business, presenting a deal or managing a company's reputation, a multi-channel approach always works best. Today's consumers expect to find you on Facebook and Twitter, but email newsletters and contests can work just as well. The point is to get as many tools working to your advantage as possible. Your intent may be to attract Facebook followers and build "likes" or spark a conversation on Twitter. No matter the goal, you should have an approach that translates to each of the different channels.

Whatever method you employ online, remember that it is just as likely to be viewed on a smartphone or tablet as it is on a laptop or home computer these days. Smartphone screens have become so large that many users have no reason to switch over to a computer unless watching movies or television. Your pitch should go out in a format that works on any platform.

Be clear about closing

Promotional goals range from building social networks to hard sales; you need to be clear about that goal when you message customers. Create a deadline and a benefit (access to lower prices, promotional merchandise, etc.) for meeting that deadline. Without a reason to act, people will continue to wait and comb through other deals. Save your best copy for the call to action.

Somewhere near your call to action, explain why consumers can feel confident in purchasing your product or joining your network. By displaying safety certifications, such as antivirus symbols and certified privacy icons, you will foster a level of trust you want associated with your brand. Every few months, there seems to be a data breach in the news. Differentiate your business from those with poor Internet security.

By pulling off successful seasonal promotions, you will fortify your sales sheet while gaining new clients in the process. Isolate your ideal promotional period, draw up a plan of attack, and get ready for a steady influx of business.