6 Ways to Maximize Holiday Sales Opportunities
By: Danyl Porter
 6waystomaximizeholidaysalesopps 13/11/2008,10:11 47.40 Kb
The Consumer Reports National Research Center reports that 76 percent of Americans they surveyed said that they’ll cut back this holiday season. That means that they’ll purchase fewer gifts, cut back on travel, tip less, send fewer greeting cards, etc. However, the survey also indicates that high-end electronics are among the most-wanted items this season. (www.ConsumerReports.org)
So, the million-dollar question this holiday season is how can independent wireless dealers boost sales in a slower economy, make up for decreased carrier commissions and adjust to increased inventory costs. While WiBOC doesn’t have magic answers to these pressing questions, we do have some strategies to maximize your sales efforts this holiday season.
Here are 6 Key Strategies to help your store managers and sales reps make the most of this holiday season. Each one is a revenue-creating opportunity outlined in WiBOC’s recent Wireless MBA™ Holiday Sales Strategies webinar. (Click here to listen to the webinar)
Holiday Open-House
- Hold an open-house for your customers! Announce a give-away or drawing in conjunction with the open-house. Send out a gift-list reminder post-card to new and existing customers to create store traffic. Offer free training to customers ($45 for non-customers) on how to use their phone. Teach people how to download ring tones, use instant messaging, access e-mail, use GPS features, play games, etc. Remember to sell add-on features and accessories when they come in.
Keep it local
- Partner with your Chamber of Commerce to co-sponsor activities in your community. For example, rent a local ice rink one night and provide free ice skating, hot chocolate, cookies, etc. Get with your manufacturers and raffle off some merchandise and provide give-aways with your company logo. This is a great way to create brand awareness!
Gift Cards
- According to the Consumer Reports survey, gift cards are more popular than ever. 66% of Americans plan to give at least one gift card this season. Capitalize on this trend and make sure you have gift card or gift certificate program for your store.
Alliance marketing
- One of your greatest resources are the manufacturers and suppliers that you already do business with! Ask them to sponsor an event at your store where you can raffle off some free products and promote their brand. One WiBOC dealer alternates between his 4 main handset manufacturers and hosts an event on the first Friday of every month where each takes a turn sponsoring the event. They provide lots of support in an effort to drive sales and create brand preference for the customers AND the sales team.
Motivate your sales staff
- Holidays are the time to sell, sell, sell! So motivate your sales staff with extra perks! Run an inter-company competition which focuses on increasing activations. For example, the store that delivers the most activations in the month of November receives a turkey and $100 for each sales person. The top store in December gets a $500 shopping spree!
Christmas direct mail
- Everyone has a wish list during the holidays. Give some of your current customers' ideas to put on their wish list by sending out a direct mail piece. Don't just include your latest and greatest handsets, but also highlight some of your accessories. Many customers forget that they can come to your store to pick up ancillary items instead of just running to the local Big Box electronics retailer. Be sure to include a call to action in the direct mail. For instance: Bring this postcard in to the store and instantly receive 30% off your purchase off a Bluetooth headset. Click here to view an example.
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