Spring is coming, and it’s the perfect opportunity to make some changes. There are a few things you can do to reinvigorate your business:
Spring Cleaning
On a physical level, now’s a good time for a deep clean, especially if you run a small business: throw open your windows and spend some time cleaning or book a cleaner to do an extra-thorough job.
It’s also a good time for organizing and decluttering. Changing up your product and window displays is a time-consuming job, but it’s a great way to bring a fresh energy to your workplace.
You can also use this time to spring-clean your finances. With the new tax year beginning in April, you can get ahead of yourself by filing your tax return early – no more rushing around at the end of January.
Event Planning
Spring is the perfect time to plan events. With the weather (hopefully) starting to warm up, you might find more customers looking for things to do, especially during the Easter holidays. Family-friendly events like Easter egg hunts are an easy way to draw in customers, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Hosting events like talks by locals, craft tutorials, and book clubs are a great way to give back to the community.
Offer Discounts
Spring is a good excuse to offer discounts, and it’s also a great way to shift old stock. A spring sale can help you to remove the last of your winter stock. Plus, you can offer a small discount on new lines to help create buzz around your latest products.
Don’t be afraid to use spring imagery, too. After a long winter, bright colours and flowers are just the thing to engage your customers.
Reconnect With Your Customers
Now is a good time to reflect on your customers. How do they interact with you? What are their experiences with your business? How can you connect with them?
One way to do this is to invite customer feedback. You can do this in-person if applicable, or you can create a short online survey with an incentive attached (for example, a prize draw or a discount code).
This feedback could give you vital information, allowing you to adjust your messaging slightly if needed.
Plus, don’t be afraid to get personal: customers love seeing behind-the-scenes snippets, especially from small businesses. This personal touch helps them to connect more with you, which may lead to increased customer loyalty (and more sales in the long term).
Set New Goals
The new financial year offers a chance to set goals and intentions. Look honestly at your finances from the last year. Are you where you want to be? What were your challenges, and what were your successes? What financial goals do you want to set for the next year?
You can also take a moment to look at non-financial goals, too. Do you want a certain amount of email subscribers? Or do you want to be more of a visible presence in your community, giving back in the form of events and charity fundraisers? Now is a good time to think about that, too.
