If you can pinpoint reason for slump, then you can take action to reverse it. If you can't quite grasp it, try some of following ideas.

When There Is No Obvious Reason For The Slump

Here are four actions that I recommend to my clients:

*Develop a special offer for existing customers/clients. Use a short deadline to give them a "call to action" to take advantage right away or product/service will be gone.

*I suggested this to a client of mine that owns a massage therapy studio. We sent out inexpensive postcards that client did on his computer. We only gave customers 5 days to call to make their appointment but they would save 20% massage therapy. There also was a cut off date of two weeks that they must make their appointment in. His business rose 26% during promotion put much needed quick cash in bank.

*Just make sure it's an inexpensive and fast way to communicate promotion. Also try faxes and even phone calls. *Advice recent prospects who did not take advantage of you product or service of same special offer using fast communications methods listed above. *Ask your best customers for help. Explain that business is a bit slow and that you want to use this time to approach potential new customers. Ask them for referrals. *Temporarily increase (yes increase) your advertising dollars where you have had most success and it is seen right away. Like website, E-zines and E-newsletters, radio spots and newspaper.

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Third, most marketing people have less clutter on their desk because everyone else follows their same philosophy (no business in summer). Your advertising piece or message is sure to get much more attention! This is also a particularly good time for those that are in sales to pull out all stops and be able to schedule meetings with those that were previously too busy.

Try these summer marketing ideas:

*Create your own "idea" file. Clip competitor ads or simply ads that you like. Jot down ideas for promotions. Brainstorm with your staff on ideas you can use.

*If you haven't done it, this is a great time to work on your marketing plan!

*Follow up on what you might have thought were dead sales leads.

*Try writing a press release and sending it to your local papers. Make it interesting and place a follow-up call. Submitting a professional photo is a good idea.

*Develop a newsletter.

*Review your current promotional materials. Do they need a new look?

*Develop a web-site and a plan to promote it.

Here are top 7 types of advertising used by small businesses:

Yellow Pages

800 numbers

Signs and displays

E-marketing

Direct mail/catalogues

Cable TV

Community local papers

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