The Green Sheet Online Edition

March 27, 2023 • Issue 23:03:02

Inspiration

Transition to spring

The transition to spring is traditionally known for renewal. In some climes, snow melts, greenery sprouts, flowers bloom and people put away heavy garments for lighter garb. Even in temperate regions, people enjoy more sunshine and fewer clouds and rain. Everywhere it seems people enjoy longer days and the prospects of new life born within forests, farms and ranches.

With this year's punishing winter storms didn't it seem, at times, like winter would never end? Yet, here we are, with a bit more bounce in our steps, ready to recharge and take on new projects and initiatives. Thinking about initiatives that might be just right for our industry at this time, I came up with some things you might want to try:

• Spring cleaning campaign: Launch a fresh campaign and call it "spring cleaning." Encourage your merchant prospects to clean up their payment processing systems and switch to your services. List all the reasons why your company stands apart and above the competition, and consider offering a discount or some other incentive to merchants who sign up during the campaign period.
• Spring-themed contest: Create a step-in-spring contest with your sales team that targets companies that often see increased activity at this time of year. These could be companies that are associated with gardening products, outdoor activities or spring fashion. The team member who signs the most new merchant accounts could win a prize or bonus, and merchants who join during the step-into-spring initiative could receive a discount for a specified time.
• Partnership with local businesses: You could not only sign new merchants, you could also partner with local businesses, such as florists or gardening stores, to offer joint promotions and discounts that promote each other's services.
• Earth Day initiative: With an Earth Day initiative, you'll be able to encourage your merchant customers to switch to eco-friendly POS options, such as having their staff offer customers a choice of receipt options. Many consumers will choose email over paper. Other services to offer some business types are paperless billing or electronic invoicing. This initiative also enables you to highlight steps your company is taking toward sustainable commerce and encourage merchants to join you in efforts to reduce their impact in the environment.
• Attend spring events: Set up a booth at spring events, such as farmers markets or outdoor festivals. You can showcase your services and build relationships with potential customers, many of whom know little about the payments business and will be fascinated by the information you can provide. You could also demonstrate your payment processing technology or provide free consultations to merchants who attend.

Spring-related social media campaigns: Social proof is a powerful reputation builder, and social media is a great place to get it. Encourage merchants to share how they've engaged with your business through one of your spring events or campaigns, Create a hashtag, and ask them to post photos or videos of how your services are helping them grow their businesses this spring.

These are just some of the possible ways to take advantage of the bounce spring brings to our lives. In your own unique way, you can refresh your offerings and launch new campaigns or initiatives that ultimately attract and engage new customers.

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