Make hay while the sales shine – Sleete's must have Q1 revenue ideas

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The phrase “make hay” stems from the saying “make hay while the sun shines.”  It’s basically advice to take advantage of a favorable situation or act while the opportunity is available. 

The background of the idiom is based on a farmer’s need to cut and dry hay when the weather is good — to do so before conditions change.

Essentially, it's about being proactive and making the most of a situation while you can.

January, February and March are usually considered our Bleak Winter Billing days — the worst of the year. We bundle up and hope to make it through the winter until spring arrives with that April-May-June billing.

Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Here are some ways to make hay and get your 2025 off to a solid start ...

Focus on categories of business that history says merchandise goes on sale for each month in Q1, as merchants are motivated to move products off showroom floors and more likely to slap on steeper discounts. They can use some help promoting.

January:
Appliances
Bedding and linen
Fitness gear
Camping Equipment
TVs and electronics 

February:
TVs
Furniture 
Mattresses
Jewelry
Winter apparel and sports gear 
Home goods

March:
Grills and Patio Furniture
Outdoor Power Equipment
St. Patrick’s Day essentials
Vacuum cleaners
Luggage

Also, concentrate on other businesses in demand in Q1, like …

Diet and Weight Loss Centers — Many consumers start diets for New Year’s resolutions.

Financial Advisory Services — January is Financial Wellness Month.

Fire and Water Damage Restoration Contractors — These folks are typically busy throughout the year, particularly winter, spring and summer, depending on the project’s weather, temperature and location.

Funeral Homes — Revenue for death care services is typically high during the first quarter.

Gyms, Health Clubs and Fitness Centers — January is usually one of the busiest months for gym sign-ups in correlation to New Year’s resolutions.

Tax Preparation Services — Historically, most tax returns have been filed by the end of February.

Concentrate on tying clients to promote around Q1 events that make for great ad copy, retail sales and promotional events.

Super Bowl — Sunday, Feb. 9, in New Orleans

Valentine's Day — Friday, Feb. 14

President's Day — Monday, Feb. 17

Mardi Gras began Monday, Jan. 6 — and ends with Fat Tuesday, March 4

St. Patrick's Day — Monday March 17

Then, when you have your Q1 well in gear, get a head start on Q2, including Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day and Father's Day.

Making hay is not that difficult. It’s really rather … cut and dried. (Sorry!)

Oh, wait, I have a worse one …

What do you call Australian hay? Hi. (Say it out loud.)

Jeff Sleete is a 50+ year broadcast industry veteran — sales manager/GM/corporate sales head. He most enjoys helping sales departments position themselves as “mavens” (experts) of business to be more successful at selling advertising. Fundamentally, Jeff is a salesman. Through his media sales consultancy, Sleete Sales Script, he provides a daily road map for sellers of any media outlet type to be more consultative in their approach to their clients and set themselves apart from all their competition. Learn more about Jeff at https://www.sleetesales.com/. Or reach him at  jeff@sleetesales.com

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