Summer Marketing Secrets -- How to Zoom Right Past Your Competition

Do you believe in the summer lull?  How about Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy?  They're all myths.  Read on to discover why summer is the perfect time to move ahead of your competition.

Most people believe that "everybody" is out of town during the summer.  And so they think they're excused from putting any effort into marketing.  Let them.

You know better.  Just look around.  There are plenty of people still in town, but there is a lot less competition for their attention. So why not take advantage of that situation.

a) Always be prepared

Do all the usual things you do -- keep a stack of business cards with you at all times, and be prepared to talk about what you do in a way that lets your ideal prospects know that yes, you're exactly the person they've been looking for.

If you'd like to take some time out, whether you're going to the beach or to a summer concert, you can still carry those cards with you. You never know who will be standing next to you in line at the hot dog stand or the ticket booth.

And that's not all...

b) Catch up on "lunch"

Think about all the things you've been too busy for during the "busy" months...  How many people did you want to have lunch with but never seemed to have the time.

Why not call them up, one after the other, and schedule a time to get together.  Chances are good that their schedule has lightened up as well... and they'll be happy to join you for lunch, coffee, dinner, whatever.  This is especially helpful with potential referral partners.

And because schedules are a bit more leisurely all around, you'll have plenty of time to chat and build rapport, while talking business as well.  You may end up with several new referral partners, and probably a quite few new clients as well.

c) Go to your meetings

Whether it's networking breakfasts, golf tournaments  or Toastmasters meetings, you'll be surprised about how happy everyone will be to see you.  After all, summer can indeed be slow.  Entire clubs and associations seem on the verge of summer extinction, and so your presence gives you extra visibility -- and the organizers will really appreciate you for being there and supporting them just by showing up.

So between allowing serendipity to hand you new clients on the beach, catching up on lunch dates long overdue, and getting extra connections from the organizers of your favorite groups, you'll find that marketing during the summer can bring lots of rewards.