The summer months mark tourist season across much of the United States. Is your business capitalizing on tourism in your town? Some towns plan their entire year on the profits from June, July, and August, but even if you are not located next to popular tourist locations like Disney World, Yellowstone, or the Grand Canyon you might be surprised on the uptick of traveler’s coming through your town visiting family or on a “road less traveled” journey to a popular tourist location. Make some extra income this summer by implementing these 5 tips today.

1. Know your demographic. Marketing to the right demographic in the right way is always key to a great marketing strategy. If your ideal customers tend to be older you might want to place ads in the room books at nearby hotels or highway billboards while if you are targeting a younger crowd you might want to spend some marketing dollars on online campaigns and creating a social media presence.
2. Check out your town’s calendar of events to see if there are any local festivals, conventions, or farmer’s markets. A great resource for this is your local Chamber of Commerce. Once you have identified events your target demographic is likely to attend you can make your plan of action to attend as a merchant or at least advertise at the events.
3. Remember curb appeal. Lure your customers in your store by upping your curb appeal. Think of an inviting store front. Add flowers, welcome signs, eye catching merchandise in the windows, advertise a promotion, use colors to stand out from the other stores in your area.
4. Merchandise is key. Think of what your visitors might need in your town. Are you near a beach, mountains, or a big music festival? Offer sales on sunscreen, hats, beach towels, sand toys, hiking gear, convenient food items, etc. Put yourself in their shoes – what are some things you might need to enjoy your stay in the area? Also don’t forget to include some souvenir items like mugs, magnets, postcards…you get the idea.
5. Develop or grow an outbound email list. Provide an incentive to sign up for your mailing list. Collect emails at checkout and use an email service like Constant Contact to send out emails with fun photos of your customers, special events, and coupons or sales.

Capitalizing on the summer travel season couldn’t be easier. Watch your profits climb this summer by following a couple easy steps to increase sales. At the end of the season note what worked for your business and expand on it next summer.