Been reflecting on how seasonal discounts influence my business. Clients are quicker to book and more likely to pay on time when discounts are involved.
It feels like the urgency really brings in clients who appreciate the value. I’ve noticed fewer delays during those periods.
Payment speed is definitely real. I started doing early bird rates for projects booked a month out and clients actually hit their deadlines.
What works:
The crazy part? Projects run way smoother when clients think they scored a deal. Less nitpicking, fewer revisions. The discount pays for itself.
Offering discounts during slow months helps maintain cash flow. It is much better than spending time chasing late payments.
Clients who grab those deals tend to pay faster. They appreciate the savings and it makes the whole process easier.
Discounts can boost business but check if the profit loss is acceptable. Every situation is different.
I do seasonal pricing but backwards. I raise rates when everyone’s swamped and wants work done, then drop back to normal when things slow down. This is way better than killing your margins with discounts. People still book because they need the work and know my regular rates are fair.
Yeah discounts work but I keep them small.
Did this last winter when work dried up. Gave 15% off if people paid within a week.
Payments came in way faster - everyone loves feeling like they scored a deal. Just make sure your margins can take the hit first.
Pro tip: always put an end date on discounts or clients will expect them forever. I stick to twice a year now, only during dead periods.