Seasonal BusinessThere are a number of challenges that come with running a small business. Working with a seasonal product or service is just one of them. If this applies to you, then you will know all about the difficulty of generating as much revenue as possible within a short window of time. But it doesn’t have to be this way. From an ice cream parlour owner to a Christmas tree seller, there are ways for a seasonal business to stay relevant and competitive throughout the entire year.

Use social media to communicate with your customers all year round

Let your customers know that you’re around throughout the whole year. Social media is great for a seasonal business to have a year-round presence and helps let you know that people are still thinking about your business even when you’re closed.

Create off-season demand through partnerships

If you feel that your product offering or service has limited appeal as it’s season specific, then why not consider partnering with a business that’s in the forefront of people’s minds right across the year. Have a look through your inventory at the end of peak season and see if there is anything that still needs shifting. Package it with a string and memorable promotional offer that will get people talking.

Experiment with new offerings

Lots of famous brands try adding new lines to their product offering. Some take off, whilst others nose dive. It’s probably best to err on the side of caution for this, as after all – you have your reputation to uphold and protect. You will want to test it out rather than go all out. The last thing you want is to be associated with a commercial flop. If your new product offering shows any sign of promise, then take that as a cue to expand it further.

Manage your expenses right

The smart way to manage your finances is to get a firm understanding of what your expenses are during your off-peak times and then thinking of clever ways to reduce them. Could you reduce your ad spend, or even rethink your costs for suppliers or vendors? Perhaps you could even lower your staffing levels or reduce the amount of business hours and days for your seasonal business. Have a look at the bigger picture and understand where you could possibly scale back.

KashFlow is simple online accounting software for small business owners. You don’t need any specialist bookkeeping or payroll knowledge to use it as it’s easy to get to grips with.

By using KashFlow you can save money, hassle and time, leaving you more time to respond to your customer’s needs. For a free no-obligation 1-2-1 demo just call the KashFlow On boarding team on 0344 815 5779.

See how IRIS KashFlow works with your business and your books