Ever feel like everyone has left town except for you? For some this happens during Christmas, when people are focused on gifts and too busy with holiday parties every weekend. We usually end up feeling this way in the summertime, when the kids are out of school and everyone’s taking their vacations. It’s easy to panic and start worrying, but don’t despair! Veterans of the game know slow months are a common occurrence, and the pros know there are things you can do to manage them. So here’s some timely advice on how to handle your slow months!

Plan for the Slow Months in Advance (Think of it like a vacation!)

Just like how you plan your vacations, plan for your slow months in advance. Look at your sales data from the past few years and identify the slowest months. Then, make a plan for how you’ll cope with those slow periods. Maybe you offer some discounts or promotions to encourage people to buy from you, or perhaps you experiment with some new product offerings to attract a broader audience.

Put on Your Customer Service Hat (Make your customers feel special!)

Your customers are the bread and butter of your business, right? So focus on providing them with some excellent customer service during those slow months. Happy customers are likely to return and recommend your business to others! Try offering personalized recommendations or sending out special offers to your most loyal customers. 

Try Out Some New Marketing Strategies (Think Outside the Box!)

Slow months can be the perfect opportunity to experiment with some new marketing strategies. Look for ways to reach out to potential customers who may not have heard of your business before. Maybe you team up with another business in your industry to reach a broader audience. Or you could launch a referral program to incentivize your existing customers to refer their friends and family to your business. The choice is yours, so get creative!

Take a Breather (Treat Yourself!)

It will always be essential to take breaks. As small business owners, we know this, but it can be hard to remember to take care of ourselves! So if the first tip was to think of a slow period like a vacation, this tip is to think of this slow period like a staycation. Rest. Take time to recharge. Maybe work on a project you’ve been putting off, but don’t overdo it. Slow months can be stressful, but taking some time to recharge will help you come back stronger and better equipped to handle the next busy season.

Stay Positive and Stay Focused (You’ve Got This!)

Remember, slow months are just a temporary setback, and they don’t define your business’s success. Keep pushing forward and stay focused on your long-term vision. This is an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve your business, so embrace it and enjoy the ride.

Slow months can sometimes be a drag, but they don’t have to be a disaster. With some planning, creativity, and a positive attitude, you can handle slow months like a pro! So plan ahead, treat your customers like VIPs, get creative, treat yourself, and most of all, keep your eye on the prize. We’ll be here cheering you on!

If you need more than a cheerleader, Flourish can help, especially with the creativity step! Check out our Facebook group, Flourish on Social, for monthly social media planners and extra marketing advice you can’t get here on our blog. You’ll also get access to a community of cheerleaders! Our group is made up of other small business owners who are going through the same things you are, so FoS can act as a support group in more ways than one. Click here to join Flourish on Social.