This has always been the season for Ski and Snowboard Shops like yours to rack up cool sales on the season’s newest equipment and apparel. But the industry has changed, so it’s time for you to change with it. Messages on hold for ski shops can help, and here’s why.
As the major online ski shops have invaded your territory, and your local customers have been stolen away, there are still ways that you can maximize your sales this season. Online has its advantages, but you have yours as well. Some of the advantages you can capitalize on are:
- Visibility: local skiers and riders see your store every time they pass
- Your staff is there to answer questions real time, and help customers buy more
- Returns: while “bricks and mortar” stores experience 5-10% returns, online retailers average a huge 15-40% returns. They may sell a lot more than you do, but almost half of their sales can be returned.
So what do you have to do to survive…and even thrive…in today’s new world of marketing? Communication is the key.
- Make sure that you’re delivering a clear message about your store in everything you do from, print and online advertising, your website, when your phone rings, and in-store.
- Your USP, or Unique Selling Proposition. Stress the uniqueness of your shop every chance you get. Remind customers about what you offer that your competition doesn’t:
It could be personal boot fitting, expert tuning, ease of “trying on” clothing, or knowledge of your local ski areas
- Promote your shop every chance you get: use guerilla tactics to go beyond the obvious.
- Give customers more reasons to come into your shop, like product showcases, swaps, or bus trips to local mountains
- Use your marketing tools to reinforce your position as an authority in the industry.
- Try something new like…
Messages on hold for Ski Shops
Messages on hold are a marketing tool that deliver your message to your telephone callers every time they have to wait on hold. Research shows that busy retail businesses like yours really do ask callers to “please hold,” sometimes for just a minute, often for longer.
Right now your telephone callers sit in “dead silence” or listening to boring music on hold. Why not try something different. Telephone on hold messages give you a new way to talk to your customer, and a showcase for information like in ideas #1 to #6 above.
Custom Messages
What would you like your customers to know about your shop? What are the best reasons customers visit you? Don’t settle for easy answers like “to buy skis” or “for a new jacket.” They could go lots of places for these items, or they could buy online. Think about more specific reasons. Think about what your customers say when they come in. Think about the questions they ask when they call you. They’re the best way to develop custom messages, tailored to your best opportunities to increase sales.
Put those ideas to use.
When you come up with ideas, use them in all your marketing, like in your on hold advertising. Informer Messages have worked at Ski Shops like yours for over 20 years, giving callers helpful information, making shops stand out as unique, and attracting more customers into your store.
Here’s a quick sample
Not sure about what to say?
There are lots of ideas that you could use. Why not talk with a winter sports specialist on our team who can show you want to say, and how easy it is to get started. Call us today! The snow will by flying soon, and you know how fast the season flies away. We’ll even give you ideas about cross-season marketing to build your summer business. Call today: (800) 862-8896, or click here to email us. Let’s make this season your best ever.
