Winter months can create a lull for your business, but taking advantage of the slower pace in the off-season can give you time to adequately prepare for the upcoming year. As a top Tennessee fence and deck staining company, Stain and Seal Experts want to share some of the helpful tips we’ve learned along the way. In this article, we will share seven ways you can make the most of slower months.
#1: Plan for the Next Year
Keep track of your marketing campaigns, advertising results, and client management throughout the year. Use the offseason to take an in-depth look at what worked well and what did not. Compile your data and see what you should continue to do, what you should be working to improve, and what is ineffective and should be stopped. Set goals and create a plan for the next year.
#2: Perform Maintenance on Your Trucks and Equipment
Your equipment needs regular maintenance to keep it in good working condition. Check all the basics for your trucks. Create a master list of maintenance requirements to easily track oil changes, filter replacements, brake jobs, bulb replacements, etc. This can help to avoid surprise repairs during your busier times of the year. The offseason is also a great time to deep clean your trucks or other vehicles.
Additionally, if you are a fence staining company you may have special equipment that needs to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. Slower seasons are an excellent time to clean your equipment, ensure it is working properly, and repair or replace it as needed. It’s better to be prepared than have equipment break down during your busy months.
#3: Review Your Social Media, Website, and Marketing
The first impression most people will have about your business is online. However, many businesses do not regularly check or update their online presence. Reviewing, updating, and refreshing your social media accounts, updating contact information, answering questions and comments, or simply reviewing the accuracy of online content is a vital piece of your business’s success.
Does your online presence accurately reflect the type of business you are? Can your potential clients clearly understand what you offer and how you can help them? Ask these questions, and then update your website and social media channels as needed. Create advanced social posts, follow up with unanswered comments, write new blog posts, and update any outdated information.
Also, keep in mind that you do not have to do everything yourself. If you like the look and design of our website, then contact the web hosting pros for the fence industry, DotCom Global Media.
#4: Use Winter Months to Review and Provide Training Procedures
The #1 way people get hurt on the job is by not being properly trained. Make safety and training a core element of your business practice. This protects both your business and your employees. Review the procedures you have in place. Do you have new employee training processes in place? Do you need to train all your employees on new equipment before the peak season starts? Take advantage of the time you have in slow seasons to review and implement these things. Get everyone in your Tennessee deck staining company involved, from your office staff to your field employees. This gives everyone experience and can also build camaraderie among coworkers.
#5: Follow Up With Past Clients and the Clients You Didn’t Close
Take time to regularly track and make contact with your customer base. Use this time to follow up with the following groups of clients:
Existing Clients
Thank them for their business! Your customers are the most important piece of your business, so let them know how much you appreciate them. Continue to build your customer base by recommending additional services or next steps for maintenance. Remember it’s easier to increase the lifetime value of a current customer than it is to gain a new customer.
Bids You Did Not Close
Follow up with bids that you did not close. Ask some questions. Did they find another contractor to do the work? Did they do it themselves? Did they decide not to proceed with the project at the moment? If they did not hire a different contractor, there is still a chance you can close a bid with them. Regardless, remember that these are leads and leads are money, so don’t throw them away! Take notes and follow up as needed.
Future Clients
If you are paying for leads, take this time to call them. Make an effort to continue to build your customer base. Continue to advertise, even in the slow months. You want to be the business that people think to call when they’re ready to do their project.
#6: Review Financial Data and Contracts
Regularly review your financial data and identify patterns of profitability or of waste. What is working for you and what is not? Go over the data and make adjustments as needed. Remember that the goal is to be responsible and frugal, but not cheap.
Review contracts and update any language that may need to be changed. Have a lawyer draw up or review your contracts, as they know the language and terminology and they may have additional insights about what to include. Contracts protect your business, so make it a priority to have professional, well-crafted contracts available.
#7: Go Through Your Inventory
Winter months are a great time to check your inventory. See what products you have on hand and what can be used up before purchasing more. The IRS considers inventory to be profit, so do what you can to use what you have on hand. If you have small amounts of certain products, you could do a sale online or donate them to eliminate them from your stock.
Call An Expert Tennessee Deck Staining Company To Start Your Project Today!
For additional information and tips regarding how to maximize your time in the offseason, check out this YouTube video. For more helpful information for your Tennessee fence staining company, subscribe to our channel today. You can also call us at (615) 785-1861 or email us for friendly, knowledgeable advice. We look forward to hearing from you!
