The festive season is an ideal time to have your products on big retailers' shelves as more people are eager to buy local, but before you knock on the doors of your nearest Pick ’n Pay or SPAR consider the following. 

Tips for pitching retailers:

• Do your research and find out if the product you have to offer is likely to be of interest to them before arranging a meeting.

• Find the right person to speak to, someone with the authority to buy or turn down the product you wish to sell. 

• Be prepared for your pitch, ready to supply samples, and be able to answer the tough questions around price, lead times, and more.

• Make sure your products adhere to all the legal standards and requirements.

If you have a business that does not require additional sales channels or you have your own retail space the lead-up to Christmas is a time to get ready for a possible sales influx. See below for tips on getting ready for the festive rush.

New This Week (07 November 2023)

• A Guide to Project Management in a Small Business

• Must-Have Online Tools LISTEN TO:  Secret to Small Business Success

Holiday Marketing Ideas for Social Media

Social media is one of the best ways low-cost ways to market your business, but it can get tricky to decide what to post. With the run-up to Christmas, it might become even more difficult to stand out while every social media feed is all jingle bells and tinsel. Here are some holiday-themed ideas to get you started. 

• Showcase the positive impact your business has achieved throughout the year.

• Share tips for the festive season.

• Host a competition and give back to your audience.

• Invest in a charity project.

 For more marketing ideas that won’t break the bank see below.

How to set up an ice cream shop

Thinking of making your childhood dream of owning an ice cream shop a reality? There are a few things to consider. 

The ice cream industry in South Africa is highly competitive with independent and franchise options so you need to stand out and everything from your marketing strategy for your products needs to be well thought out. Offer various options, and consider incorporating local flavours and sustainable ingredients. Also, remember to cater to dietary restrictions by offering some dairy replacements.It is vital to make sure you are aware of the equipment you may need and what legal requirements you need to adhere to.

How much should you charge to make a profit?

Knowing how much to charge and being able to effectively communicate the value of your offerings are the cornerstones of effective pricing.

Here are things to consider when deciding on your pricing options:

• Factor in the production costs - How much will this cost to make?

• Put yourself in your customer’s shoes - Would I be willing to pay this much?

• Consider price bundling - What low-value extra can I add to round off the price?