We all know what the market is currently like, even we don't like to say too much on the subject. Everything is going up (or shooting down), and it doesn't seem to be getting better any time soon. It's pretty dismal, especially for us small business owners who rely so heavily on every single sale. In fact, I even set myself to have a lot of losses this month, thinking that no-one will be buying a measly print when they can't even get their weekly shop. In hindsight, this wasn't very positive of me, but January seems to bring around an air of realism.
This is just one of the many challenges we face, and January seems to throw them at us all at once, but there are ways to make it just as good a month as any.
Sales -
The obvious. Put everything you can afford to into a sale. People are more likely to buy something at this time of year if they see they're getting a bit of money off, or a good deal. That's why I bought back my 'prints for a fiver' (and because I found a forgotten box full of them).
Concentrate elsewhere -
Sure, at the end of the day, money is what makes a business run. But when that money isn't coming in as quickly as you'd like, take some of that free time and work on other parts of your business. Start a blog if you haven't done so already, and schedule some posts for the month. Work on your social media or website. Get stuck into designing a new collection. You may not be as busy as you'd like, but that can be a blessing in disguise.
Get into wholesale -
If you haven't done so already, and if you know you're ready for it, create a wholesale catalog and get some stockists this month. It can turn out to be the largest chunk of your income, and will do your business (and your confidence) a world of good.
Expand -
This may sound scary and expensive, but why not use this new start to the year as an excuse to expand your shop? I've recently joined notonthehighstreet.com after an invite, and although I wasn't sure at the beginning, I'm so glad I took the plunge. Sales have been increasing each day, in what I thought was going to be a dismal month, and I think that's because my brand and products are being viewed on multiple marketplaces, therefore a whole new audience can see them.
Get ready for February-
Start again. It's a new start, a clean slate, where you can forget the last month and work on making this one your best yet. Remember, a very generalised, over-consumed holiday is coming up, make the most of it!
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