Time To Get Ready For Summer!
10 Tactics To Help You Have a Successful Summer
1. Ever See A Bunny Boot?
People who come to Alaska are satisfied when your business shows the Alaskan lifestyle. You can start simply. If you're running a B&B, show pictures and photo albums of you and your family doing Alaskan-type stuff. Like pictures of a moose in your front yard. Or your local dog sled races. It doesn't have to be big. Just something real. One B&B we know displays winter clothing, and lets visitors try on parkas and Bunny Boots.
2. Stop Right Here -- We're Open!
If you can run an electric cord out to the road and hang up an "open" sign, where cars going by can see it, that's very effective. Don't just put the sign in your window. Get a sign out there by the road. A good road sign clearly represents the services you offer. Travelers shouldn't have to guess what you offer from the road.
3. Welcome Kids, GI's, Grandpas...
Many people have incorporated senior discounts into their business, figuring that the average traveler is a senior citizen. Fairbanks businesses have expanded this concept to offering military discounts. You could also consider family discounts. This could open new markets and attract Alaskans to your business.
4. Every Day's A Holiday When You're With Us
Last summer we saw a handwritten sign at a gas station promising sizable price cuts on Fridays. But people were coming in even on Tuesdays, because it built loyalty -- and they needed gas. Here's something -- We just saw a TV news story about a New England ski resort that increased their business over 20% by creating daily specials. One day of the week was "Ladies' Day", another day was "Two-For-One" and another day was "Kids' Day." The owner said he couldn't believe such a simple technique worked.
5. They Like Me -- They Really Like Me
Target customers to attract people who will like the services you're offering. One of the most important things you're offering is you -- and your attitude. The way to keep your attitude positive is to target people who are going to appreciate your effort. If you can get the customers who like your services you'll have satisfied customers, you'll be happy, and your employees will be happy. You can't be everything to all people. Now is the time to think about what kind of customers you want, and then to target your advertising to get them.
6. Alaska. It's Surprisingly Close
Many people in Anchorage are dying to try something new. Their enthusiasm about the spring Sportsman's Show reveals they're anxious to get out of the shopping malls and see Alaska. Don't join just your community's chamber -- but also the chambers in the towns near you. For instance, if you're in Valdez, you should also be represented in the Glennallen, Tok, Delta and Fairbanks Visitor Centers.
7. Spruce Up, Fix Up, Clean Up
We've been to businesses all over the state, and we've learned one thing. Everything doesn't have to have come from Home Depot. But it does have to be clean and tidy. If order doesn't run in your nature, hire an employee who has the knack for creating order, and, hopefully, a sense of making things look tasteful. People don't care if the walls are made of log. But they do want it clean.
8. Small -- But Fast On Your Feet
If you find one thing is working during the course of the summer,and people are responding to a certain thing you've been doing -- do more of it. If people have responded in the past to a certain deal, or a type of hike, or raft trip or adventure -- you can, because you're not a big business, change course. If a two-hour raft trip is working better than an all-day trip (or vice versa) do more of it. You're small, but fast on your feet. Don't be afraid to change.
9. My Skills Mean Business
Even if you're not the fanciest business in the world, you're offering people a chance to do something uniquely Alaskan. You give tourists a chance to tap into your years of experience here. Thanks to you, they get to stay overnight in an Alaskan cabin, go down an Alaskan river, go hiking in the Alaska wlderness, or fish an Alaskan stream. Without you, and your expertise, they would never be able to experience this. Don't be afraid to charge good money for your good skills.
10. Alaska, And Proud Of It
There's no doubt that Alaska is a hard place to live and do business in. But Alaska is unique, and the state's draw is universal. People from across the United States and the world come here to see Alaska's wildlife, its lifestyle -- and to have Alaskan adventures. The romance of Alaska, and the lure of the North, is something that doesn't fade. The best thing you can do for yourself this summer is to hit the season with confidence in your ability -- and in Alaska itself.