If you are one of the many small business owners who are wondering what happened to the summer months, you are not alone. Fall has arrived and now your sales approach and strategic goals must change. There are many options to create stellar sales this season and if you need help obtaining funding, you can get much needed cash quickly through a merchant cash advance from Quikstone Capital Solutions. Here are ten awesome ideas to explore.

1. Smiling Sales Staff. I know it sounds easy right? I mean, you hired your staff and expect them to be happy to do their jobs. The best way to make sure that your sales staff is projecting a happy, friendly, and inviting demeanor is to send in a secret shopper when you are not around. See how they are treated and address any attitude problems immediately.

2. Email Blasts. Send emails out periodically to current customers. Let them know about upcoming specials and holiday pricing. This is a wonderful way to stay at the forefront of their minds and let them know that you appreciate their business.

3. Loyalty Program. If you are not offering some sort of loyalty rewards for recurring purchases, then you are missing out. Credit.com offers some worthwhile advice on how to build a loyalty program which is effective. Everyone likes to save money and this can be the guiding light to entice customers to spend their money in your store versus with your competitors.

4. Staff Training. The Fall can represent a great time to get your sales staff re-trained. Make sure that they are all aware of great techniques to encourage customers to purchase add-ons. Offer role-playing so that your best sales people can show the newer or less-experienced ones how to overcome customer objections.

5. Gift Certificates. This is a bold way to attract new customers. You are not sending them a coupon for a percentage off of their purchase but rather free money. For example, if you mail out $10.00 gift certificates, you run the risk of a customer coming in and only spending that amount on merchandise. However, even in this instance you get customers into your store increasing the likelihood that they will return in the future.

6. Be Visible. Go out into your community and become a part of it! Join activities and events and utilize these opportunities to advertise. Wear a shirt with your company logo or pass out gifts with your business information on them. Create branded items which are less likely to be thrown away such as pens, highlighters, and small personal calendars.

7. Sample Your Business. Offer a special sample day for your business so that customers can experience what you have to offer. For example, if you are a bakery you can have samples of chocolate chip cookies on Mondays and éclairs on Tuesdays. If you are own a hair salon, offer a free upgrade conditioning treatment for new customers.

8. Advertise on Social Media. Social media represents a great way to get the word out about your business. There are so many platforms available to use and the pricing is often inexpensive. Drum up interest about your business or service and get people talking. Make sure to personally respond to any comments which are left.

9. Partnerships. Create a relationship with other business owners whose companies work in tandem with yours. If you own an auto body repair facility, partner up with car dealers and insurance agents. This is a great way to bring in new business whom are referred by a trusted source.

10. Renovate. One way to attract new business is to renovate the look of your store. Make sure that it looks like a place that customers will want to spend their hard earned money. Improve any areas that have a drastic effect on the perception of your customers such as lighting, wall decor, and music.