GARMIN 920XT

When Garmin launched the Forerunner 910XT in 2011, a new multisport world was born. Here was a training tool that delivered a triathlete’s dream – metrics across three disciplines.

That, aligned with Garmin’s Apple-like ability to create gadgets that are easy to use, elevated the 910XT to near-godlike status.

Three years is a technological eternity, and the interim’s seen strong competition in the form of Polar’s V800 and the Suunto Ambit3.

But now the Forerunner 920XT’s arrived, packing in a magazine’s worth of features. In fact, too many to list here, which is why we’ve focused on the key changes over the 910XT…
Slimline partner

The most striking is its ergonomic design. It’s 14.3% lighter than the 910 (70g to 60g), though not at the cost of screen size, which ensures data’s clear to view on the fly. Unlike the run-specific Garmin 620, it’s not touch screen.

Instead, four sizeable buttons scroll through the myriad of features. Its blue and black colourway mimics the 620 and there’s also a red/white number, though no women-specific sizing, so petite wrists may feel dwarfed.
Rapid connection

Garmin Connect data analysis is much easier on a laptop, so we appreciate the new Wifi connectivity between the device and, in our case, a Macbook Pro. It also has Bluetooth Smartphone connectivity to Android and iOS devices, and again consistency and speed rules.

Live Tracking means your partner can watch you struggle around the Vitruvian. Eclipsing all that is satellite pick-up, which is extraordinary. Historically, Garmin has led the GPS pack in this department and, with a new satellite pre-population data feature, it’s even faster.
Running dynamics

This is where you receive key upgrades over the 910, albeit pocketed from the 620 and only if you purchase the HRM-Run strap. Running dynamics reveal your ground contact time and vertical oscillation.

We questioned the usefulness of this on the 620 earlier in the year because, unless there’s a next step to guide you, this data’s redundant. We put this to Andy Silver, European product manager at Garmin.

“Coaches are beginning to explore running efficiency in detail, primarily because it’s never been measurable in the wild,” he says. “In the past, treadmills with pressure plates have been the only way of measuring these metrics. Not now.”

Garmin offers a comparative scale, giving the results context – the less ground contact time, the better – but how do you improve run economy beyond raising fitness? Garmin doesn’t tell you, but brief research reveals that plyometrics and squats are proficient methods. It’s one for the dedicated performance-seeker, which is what you are if you’re spending £400-plus on a watch.

You’re also given other 620 metrics like VO2 max predictor, race predictor and recovery advisor. We felt the latter was the most useful of the three as, like the Omegawave we tested in June 2013, it could guide the intensity of your next session. You can also measure runs indoors without the need for a footpod – a useful feature as winter draws in.
Swim and bike subtleties

“What about the swim and bike?” we hear you cry. For swim, there’s potential disappointment for 910XT fans who thought the next incarnation might feature heart-rate data, though chest-strap slippage seen on tools like the Suunto Ambit3 means Garmin is still working on that one.

Actual swim upgrades over the 910 include the swim drills feature found on the Garmin Swim, and a useful interval/rest timer that maintains consistency of intervals sets.

For cycling, recovery features as seen for the run are again a neat addition, though it’s only applicable if you have power data. Then again, the 910 was brimming with so many bike features that this isn’t a negative.
Challenge Apple

You can also track daily activity thanks to technology borrowed from Garmin’s Vivofit.

For keen triathletes, it might appear superfluous, but we found hitting 10,000 steps a useful tool for recovery days. Garmin Connect’s been upgraded too, with your multisport exploits now clearly charted in a clear, flowing narrative rather than as a file for each discipline as before.

Despite the in-watch advancements, it’s third-party input that will be the greatest addition over the 910XT. Connect IQ gives third-party developers the tools to create apps and widgets that could transform your 920XT into the ultimate training computer. It’s a wise move by Garmin considering the inevitable success of the Apple watch, and you should begin to see these hit the market early in 2015.

The 910XT was a gamechanger. The GARMIN 920XT isn’t… but it didn’t need to be. Yes, there are in-watch tweaks, but it’s the less headline-grabbing advancements like satellite pick-up, slimline look and Connect IQ that ensure it’s a worthy successor to the 910. In a world often ruled by marketing, Garmin should be applauded for this subtle but effective evolution.

COLEMAN 70 QT XTREME MARINE COOLER

At some point in time you have probably owned a Coleman cooler yourself, or someone in your family did. In fact, if you dig around your storage room or garage, there’s a high likelihood that you have one in there.

The Coleman line of coolers is one of the most common and popular ones around. Ask most adults and they probably remember going on camping trips with a Coleman cooler in tow.

If you have come to recognize the Coleman brand as one that you like and trust, and are looking to pick up the best Coleman cooler for your needs, then stick around as you’ll really enjoy what we have for you

Coleman Steel Belted Cooler Review
This cooler comes in one size and holds 85 cans (over three cases!), has stainless-steel handles and rubber grips over them for ease while transporting, and a solid latch to keep the cold in, and the heat out.Offered in a variety of coolers such as green, red or silver, when you take a look at these coolers it’ll be like taking a step back in time. For many, one glance is all they need to start reminiscing about campfire cookouts or barbeques on the beach.

While these coolers look much like the ones you may have remembered, today’s coolers are fashioned differently. The outer shell is indeed metal, but the inside is what you would find with other coolers, which is insulated plastic. It’s best to check its hi-res pictures on Amazon to see how it’s made and how does it look lie.

Many users report using this as much as the Coleman coolers they were used to growing up, though some mentioned that a few items have changed such as the latch sliding into a plastic hook rather than a metal one. Several also mentioned that these did not have a bottle opener as the older models had years ago. As with any model or line of products that have been around for decades, newer models and designs can be found, which is what we find with the Coleman Steel Belted Cooler Review.

Coleman 48 Quart Cooler

If you are on a budget and need a good cooler for your cold beverage needs, then you may want to check out this Coleman ice chest. Coming in at red or blue, you have definitely seen one these around somewhere. You may have not known it was a Coleman, but in all likelihood it probably was.

The Coleman 48 quart cooler (available here) can hold 63 cans and is also tall enough to accommodate 2-liter bottles standing upright, which makes things so much better. This larger sized cooler features a hinged lid for easy opening and a leak-resistant drain, making your life easier when emptying and cleaning.

While this cooler may not be able to hold ice for a week at a time like some of the other coolers on the market, the durability and way these were constructed is something to marvel at. There are several users who have reported owning these for years with little degrading over time.

One individual reported having the same coolers for a little over 20 years and still getting use out of them. If you are looking for the best Coleman cooler that will last over the long haul (think decades), then you may want to give the Coleman 48 quart cooler a second look.


COLEMAN 70 QT XTREME MARINE COOLER

You’ll be able to easily hydrate friends and family at your next barbeque or tailgate party. The two way handles on this model also make it easy to carry and transport, however at such a large size you may want to get some extra help moving this around.If you are looking for an even larger sized best Coleman cooler, then this will most certainly meet your needs. This Xtreme cooler can hold 98 cans plus ice, which means that you can fit nearly four cases of drinks in the cooler and still have room for ice. This is the perfect addition for any party or gathering.

Coleman also reports that this may just be one of the best Coleman coolers that will be able to hold ice. The Coleman ice chest states that it can hold ice for up to five days, even in extreme weather. Users tend to comment on that in their reviews on Amazon.

One user put the Xtreme through its paces and reported that the cooler performs as advertised. Utilizing one-gallon jugs with frozen water as ice, the user got six days of safe cold use, with one of the gallon jugs still half frozen after six days.

Other individuals have reported that while the construction of the cooler may not be as they expected after use, it does hold the cold in and ice for a while, which is what users are after when you think about it.

Spray on and printable: what's next for the solar panel market?

Spray on, printable and other new thin film technology looks set to provide a major boost to the global solar market.

Currently being developed by researchers and a small number of companies, the new film materials offer the potential of lighter and cheaper manufacturing.

With big names including Panasonic, Fujifilm, Statoil ASA and Legal & General Capital now investing in the technology, energy experts expect the first panels to be on sale within five to 10 years.

“This field is moving so rapidly that I’m sure in a few years you will start seeing products you can actually hold in your hand,” says Dr Jao van de Lagemaat from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.

The most promising of the new film technologies is perovskite cells, named after the 19th century Russian mineralogist Lev Perovski.

Unlike silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) cells, perovskite cells are soluble in a variety of solvents so can be easily sprayed on to a surface, similar to inks or paints. That potentially makes the cells much cheaper to manufacture and means that the light-gathering film can be attached to flexible materials, opening up a range of new applications.

“You could, in a factory, print these solar cells (for example: RENOGY SOLAR SUITCASE ) using a similar process as is used for printing newspapers,” says Van de Lagemaat. “Your solar panels would come out as a roll at the end.”

What has really got people excited about perovskites though is the rapid increase in efficiency that materials scientists have achieved with them in the lab. In seven years they have gone from converting 3.8% of the light that falls on them into electricity, to more than 20%.

That figure might not sound hugely impressive but consider that traditional silicon-based cells, with their decades of research behind them, only achieve 24% or 25% efficiency in the lab and around 18% in real-world applications. The theoretical maximum is around 33% energy conversion.

Although recently touting it as a “gamechanger” for the solar market, Prof Yang Yang at the department of materials science and engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles remains cautious: “We have to face reality. To put them on the rooftop and the power plant requires a significant improvement in the material.”

One problem is connected with the material’s inherent advantage – their solubility. That, combined with heat sensitivity, means the cells are not as stable as silicon PV. Instead of lasting for 25 years or more they degrade over a period of months or a few years. That might not matter for short-lived disposable products such as cellphones, but would exclude the technology from the large-scale solar farm market, for example.

Researchers are working to improve the material’s inherent stability or come up with coatings that would encapsulate the perovskite, but that may add cost.

Another issue is disposal. Perovskites typically contain small amounts of lead – not enough to prevent their development (the lead in a single car battery is apparently enough for hundreds of square metres of perovskite solar cells), but enough to make the search for non-toxic alternatives an active line of research.

Analysis What next for renewables in cities? – the expert view
A complex range of factors is shaping how and why cities adopt renewable energy, from costs to the need for stable power supplies


Oxford PV, a spin-off from researchers at Oxford University, announced two large investments (£8.1m and £8.7m) in late 2016 from investors including Statoil Energy Ventures and Legal & General Capital. The company has also announced it is partnering with an unnamed major global solar manufacturer and intends to bring a product to market by the end of next year.

Aside from perovskites, organic PV can also be printed as a thin film on to a flexible substrate. In this case though the light-activated layer, or layers, are made up of conducting organic materials, usually polymers.

Like perovskites, organic PV has stability issues and, at around 13%, the efficiencies that scientists have achieved in the lab are not as good. But it does have other advantages. It does not contain toxic elements, for example, and can be engineered to be transparent and coloured. That means it could potentially be retrofitted to buildings as a tinted window coating.
Advertisement

Another new approach is so-called quantum dots, which are semiconducting particles that can be coated on to a surface. The technology is further from commercialisation but theoretical work from Van de Lagemaat’s team suggests that, in combination with perovskites, it may be possible to manufacture a panel that is 30% efficient.

Leonie Greene, head of external affairs at the UK’s Solar Trade Association, believes the industry in general is adopting a wait-and-see posture. “There are lots of areas of research and we wait to see which can make it out of the lab into commercialisation,” she says.

“We shouldn’t forget,” she adds, “that commercially available solar, where conversion efficiencies of over 20% are commonly available, are already providing power cheaper than other sources of power in many parts of the world.”

What’s inside disposable hand warmers?

For winter sports enthusiasts, hand warmers (for example: SUNJACK HEAT BANK ) can mean the difference between calling it a day early and playing outside for as long as possible. In fact, anyone who braves cold temperatures might be tempted to try the little disposable pouches that emit warmth within seconds of being exposed to air.

Hand warmers date back centuries to when people in Japan would use hot stones to warm their hands, says Keiko Ishikawa, a marketing manager at hand warmer maker Mycoal USA. Portable hand warmers filled with hot ash were the version that followed, she says. These days, you can buy a variety of hand warmers based on battery packs and lighter fuel, but disposable hand warmers rely entirely on chemistry.

Disposable hand warmers turn up the heat in your mittens by means of an exothermic reaction that, in essence, just creates rust. Each pouch typically contains iron powder, salt, water, an absorbent material, and activated carbon. When the pouch is removed from its outer packaging, oxygen drifts across the pouch’s permeable covering. With salt and water present, the oxygen reacts with the iron powder located inside to form iron oxide (Fe2O3) and release heat.

The absorbent material can be pulverized wood, a polymer such as polyacrylate, or a silicon-based mineral called vermiculite. It helps retain the moisture so that the reaction can occur. The activated carbon helps to evenly disperse the heat produced, which can average 135 °F.


Although the chemistry of disposable hand warmers is simple, their engineering is more complicated. “You want to make this thing act quickly because people like to open up the packet and feel warm right away, but you also want it to last a long time,” says Joe Vergona, manager of engineering and product development at Grabber Performance Group, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based company that sells hand warmers. For example, some hand warmers last seven hours, and others can last more than 24 hours.


To lengthen the time a hand warmer lasts, some companies opt to increase the amount of iron in the packet, Vergona says.


Another strategy is to experiment with the iron powder. “If you vary the raw materials in the warmer, you can change how quickly the reaction happens or how much of the warmer is reacted at one time,” Vergona adds. For example, the greater the surface area of the iron, the more it can react with oxygen to produce heat, he says.


The pouch material also affects the performance of the hand warmers. “It’s a balance of the ingredients inside the pack and the performance characteristics of the pouch itself,” Vergona says. The iron powder and other ingredients are contained in a blended nonwoven material that has specific permeability characteristics. If the pouch admits more oxygen, the reaction occurs more quickly. Toe warmers, for example, use a nonwoven material that lets in more oxygen to compensate for the low-oxygen environment inside a shoe. “The level of perforation, the size of the holes—all that’s going to govern how much oxygen enters the warmer,” Vergona says.


To extend the shelf life of hand warmers, the outside wrapper is specially chosen to ensure that minimal amounts of oxygen get in and minimal water gets out. “Any old plastic, and the hand warmers will last a week and die,” because oxygen can get in and spoil the product, Vergona says. The outside wrappers are usually made of polymers such as the plastic polyethylene.


The main difference between disposable hand warmers and some reusable versions is the chemicals used to produce the heat-releasing reaction. Reusable hand warmers don’t contain iron but instead use a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate that releases heat as it crystallizes. Boiling the used packet restores the solution to its supersaturated state. Air-activated hand warmers can’t be reused.


Disposal hand warmers don’t just keep humans from getting too cold. Grabber also sells heavy-duty warmers that can help tropical fish survive transportation through chilly climates.

A Cavity Drain Membrane System

Waterproofing is a critical factor for anybody who's developing a cellar that they plan to make use of for storage or habitable accommodation.

Too frequently cellar waterproofing isn't given high enough priority and consequently, a low-cost and improper cellar waterproofing alternative can be used to get inside an unrealistic budget. This frequently results in failure as well as the resultant consequential losses could be devastating for whoever owns the building or property.

New assemble cellars in many cases are designed and constructed from nicely ranked and even 'watertight concrete', concrete block or blocks with concrete infill. A nicely constructed and built construction will normally form the primary resistance to water ingress as the concrete is too dense for water to pass through. Yet we must remain aware that where you can find building joints there's the danger of failure even if water bars, hydrophilic/hydrophobic strips are nicely installed.

With this borne in mind it's definitely a recommendation that in addition to the construction itself, a secondary type of cellar waterproofing is embraced even in the event the construction is fresh and assembled from 'watertight concrete'.

When the concrete building itself is regarded as being integrally watertight this is called type B kind of cellar waterproofing.

Where the construction isn't regarded as integrally waterproofing then we have 2 choices for coping with all the possibility of water ingress. One will be to Tank it and the other is to waterproof it having a Cavity Drain Membrane.

Taking a cellar means that the product is implemented internally or externally and was created to physically prevent and hold back the water. This can be called Type A cellar waterproofing.

A Cavity Drain Membrane system is placed on the internal face of the earth retaining structure where it may accept the ingress of water depressurize it and handle it into a safe evacuation point. This really is called type C kind of cellar waterproofing.

Tanking as a type of cellar waterproofing to new constructions has built-in dangers. Whether you use it internally or externally to the construction tanking systems should be used 100% defect free to be effective, if water is delivered under pressure from the construction. As dispute and High Court case between two firms Outwing Construction and Thomas Wetherald has set a precedent in the cellar waterproofing business and UK law. The opinion in the High Court of Justice was that it's not practical to get a tanking or waterproofing Bronx system to be used 100% defect free. What this signifies is the fact that in the event that you design for or use a cellar waterproofing system to the construction which must be 100% free of blemishes to work plus it fails you could be responsible for the results of the failure. By their very nature, all tanking systems should be 100% defect free to work when examined by water under pressure from your earth.

Most new construct cellar waterproofing layouts that include an outside banking system likewise incorporate a land drain the reason of which will be to help de-water the nearby earth regions and decrease the amount of water that's delivered contrary to the construction. You can find generally many related difficulties with land drains found in cellar waterproofing. A land drain ought to be placed on the not in the construction below the degree of the internal slab so that it is helpful to ease the volume of water to the total depth of the retained earth. Many times the place of the land drain is revealed on a drawing or installed above the internal slab amount and for that reason could only ever be somewhat successful.

This is why everyone should be careful about making this decision otherwise one can be easily mistaken and make the mistake over and over again. For more information use Google or any other search engine system as it will be easier to find a solution to the problem if you try to do a little research by yourself.
'The kind and feasibility of curative treatment' is a buzz phrase in the cellar waterproofing business. It means if there's a difficulty getting the capacity to reunite to something to identify where and what the issue is and then rectify it. This can be an issue with both outside tanking and land drains as they can be frequently buried under tons of earth. The size of the land drain is just another problem as who can correctly forecast the volume of water which may be anticipated to return to have at any moment as time goes by? Additionally as said the tanking system may rely greatly on the land drain and how can anybody ensure it against defect or blockage in the future - again the type and feasibility of curative treatment come into question.

The BS8102:2009 (British Standard code of practice for protection of underground structures against water in the earth) advocates a maintainable cellar waterproofing system. A buried outside the banking system and land drain aren't readily frequently maintainable.

Creating a solid cellar structure to form the most important resistance against water is advisable but where there are building joints we ought to anticipate that water ingress could happen at some stage. So a more dependable type of secondary waterproofing aside from the construction itself is a cavity drain membrane system or Type C cellar waterproofing.

Prior to the recent revision of the BS8102:2009 the preceding code of practice BS8102:1990 said that Type C type of building and waterproofing was the most 'trouble free and successful'. Now the BS8102 says that Type A, B, and C together is the most successful which probably goes without saying but as a stand alone cellar waterproofing system type C cavity drain membrane is still more dependable the others.

Cavity drain membrane cellar waterproofing systems take into consideration these points:

• Where the earth is kept against a construction we ought to contemplate that water will enter the fabric of the building at some point because of constructions life.

• When water enters a construction and locates an air gap it depressurizes and loosened its potency.

And so the manner a cavity drain membrane cellar waterproofing systems enjoy System 500 works will be to offer air gaps and thus depressurisation zones on the interior of the construction which alleviate the water pressure. This can be performed firstly with an 8mm studded membrane applied to the walls. The study profile functions to hold the merchandise somewhat far from the construction to which it's used. Any water entering through the walls is depressurized within the air gap given by the study of a membrane, decreases its potency and falls to the wall/floor junction. A perforated drainage conduit is situated in the bottom of the wall either in a recessed channel in the slab or on the slab having a layer of closed cell insulating material. The drainage conduit serves 3 main functions. The foremost is that it gathers and delivers water to a suitable drainage way out to be evacuated from your construction. The second is that it functions as a formwork in the wall/floor junction which functions to steadfastly keep up an air gap and thus depressurization zone in the point where water enters or ends up in most constructions i.e. the wall/floor junction. Thirdly it enables future care and testing of the machine via rodding/inspection interfaces situated in the ring chief of a conduit and therefore conforms to the recommendations in BS8102. Another characteristic of some providers drainage conduit is a separated fin layout on the rear face of every section. In a few cellar waterproofing layouts where it's appropriate, this addresses the hazard of condensation forming on the dry side of the membrane and also using the chance of imperfections (small tears/holes/rips in the membrane) by keeping an open wall/floor junction.

The drainage conduit is linked to either passive or powered means of evacuating the water. Passive means emptied naturally by gravity to a current drainage wall socket, open raising or designed in drainage. Powered is where not one of the aforementioned alternatives is available or possible as well as a sump and pump can be used.

A flooring membrane is used from the other side of a floor region as a vapor barrier and linked to the drainage conduit or wall membrane to finish the cellar waterproofing system.

Just about any wall and flooring finish needed might be performed along with a Cavity Drain Membrane System.

The features of employing a cavity membrane system are:-

• There's frequently little or no preparation
• they're adaptable and may proceed together with the construction.
• They will not be vapor permeable.
• they're believed to be sympathetic to the construction and reversible
• They can cater for less than sufficient workmanship and interstitial condensation.
• They might be maintainable.
• They can be used in significantly less than perfect site states so Won't hold up a job program.
• They might be examined prior to installing fixtures and appointments.
• 10 year guaranteed guarantees can be got when installing with the right specialist.
• Complete layout responsibility can choose by particular specialist cellar waterproofing contractors

How To Use Social Media To Sell Your Products

Similar to traditional marketing tactics, selling your products on social media starts with targeting your audience and spreading the word. However, your sales efforts require a more casual approach than the direct methods that are conventionally practiced in the off-line world. Even though social networks are primarily used for information and entertainment, they also provide insights about your prospects' interests, needs, and concerns. This can then be used to gradually convert your social media followers into loyal and satisfied customers. Here are some more tips to follow.

Determine the best social venue

Each social network is predominantly composed of one type of audience. LinkedIn is ideal for building business-to-business (B2B) relationships while Instagram may appeal more to younger people interested in the latest trends such as lifestyle and fashion. Meanwhile, Twitter's broader audience often attracts early technology adapters who want to stay informed about their interests on the go. Establish a solid presence on the most appropriate social network based on your business's products, services, and objectives.

Deliver a great presentation

Speak the same lingo as your audience by presenting your information in fun and digestible ways to help maximize your reach. Rely on visuals, such as images and videos, along with concise headlines, to grab the attention of your followers immediately. For example, Instagram recently reported that the time users spent watching video increased by over 40 percent, suggesting a powerful trend that could lead to higher engagement and leads. Additionally, establish a likable persona that is consistent with your prospects' primary way of communicating, such as using mild humor in your posts and updates.

Build trust and authority

It is nearly impossible to sell your products on social media without building a mutual sense of trust with your followers. Connect with those who have expressed interest in your industry by searching for business-related phrases and buzzwords. Posting updates with relatable hashtags (where applicable) allows more people to see your posts and potentially establish a connection with your business. Engage with your audience by answering their questions and concerns, as well as sharing any thoughts that are relatable to your industry. Most importantly, remain consistent about your posting schedule to establish a friendly and familiar presence over time.

Avoid excessive pitches

Social media is primarily a place for people to observe, learn, and have fun. For this reason, you should typically promote your products by presenting them in fun, interesting, and creative ways. For example, try linking to an article on your company blog that has a highly engaging headline, then let readers know of a relatable product that aligns with their interests. Moreover, make sure that the majority of your social updates are not directly selling a product.

Provide exclusive benefits

Having an active, lively social network account allows you to create a tight-knit community, which opens the doors to certain consumer benefits. Post exclusive offers that are available only via social networks, provide a code that shoppers can use for a discount on online and in-store purchases, and periodically reveal coupon codes to your followers. Accompany these deals with a sense of urgency, granting them only for a limited amount of time.

Run an advertising campaign

Due to increased competition, running an advertising campaign may be ideal for reaching your target audience and establishing new leads. Set a monthly advertising budget around your target demographics, track your conversion rates, and tweak the campaign according to results. For instance, using the aforementioned discount tactics could potentially boost your following and help sell more products as a result.

Retain your audience

Establish other ways to reach your social media prospects to streamline communication and potential sales. Occasionally invite your followers to sign up for your company newsletter for periodic updates that resonate with their needs and interests. This is especially useful with existing customers, as they may be more inclined to buy additional products because they have already had a positive experience with your offers.

Social media can be a viable and cost-effective venue for selling your products. Start with these tips, and consider using Vionic, which grants The UPS Store customers up to 52 percent off on powerful marketing software for platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Six Summer Success Strategies for Your Small Business

The summer season opens up opportunities for some types of small businesses. For others, however, summer months can lead to fewer customers and lower profits. Regardless of what type of business you own, the following success strategies can effectively help generate sales and visibility, even among those who are not generally familiar with your products and services.

1. Revamp your social media strategy

Though customers may not visit your business often, they are still active via social media, making your products one tap or click away. It is not only important to post new updates more frequently, but it is also crucial to know when your audience is more likely to be active online. Gather basic insights, such as traffic statistics and engagement rates, to help make social media interactions more effective.

Slower summer months might also be a great time to get acquainted with other social platforms you have been considering. Analyze the audience on these platforms, evaluate which channel is the right fit for your business and add it to your overall marketing mix for greater impact.

2. Focus on networking

Networking opportunities are available almost everywhere. Aside from more formal events, casual summer gatherings also offer subtle opportunities to let people know about your small business. Other ways to meet new faces in the summertime include sporting events or localized online platforms like Meetup. In the end, spreading the word about your business will help you gain loyal customers.

3. Leverage promotions

Limited-time deals and promotions are popular for a reason, and they can be particularly powerful in driving sales during slower summer months. Regardless of how busy a customer may be, ignoring a great opportunity is almost always difficult.

Success strategies may include "buy one, get one free" deals or discounts on select goods and services. You could also create a referral program in which you lower a product's price for anyone who brings in a new customer. The right summer sales strategy can help maintain, or improve, a healthy profit margin.

4. Leverage contests and freebies

Similarly to promotional incentives, contests and free gifts generally do a good job of drawing attention. They can also help generate buzz through word-of-mouth marketing, depending on the products and services offered.

For instance, you could launch a giveaway with easy admission requirements, such as leaving a comment on social media or texting a phone number between certain hours. You could also provide a free item one day of the week to select customers or those involved in a particular membership. Do not forget to routinely advertise these freebies on your website and via your newsletter campaign. For help creating and managing an e-mail or newsletter marketing campaign, check out Act! Essentials.

5. Update existing properties

Look into your existing offerings and revamp them. For instance, could your company blog use a makeover? Do your online products need fresh images or more detail? Prioritize the accessibility of your existing properties, and make it easy to find your contact information.

Likewise, take some time to clean up or optimize your e-mail campaign or add more creativity to your social media profiles. Keeping everything up-to-date or embracing a fresh, new look could draw potential customers who might otherwise dismiss your business.

6. Launch that new idea

Perhaps you have been considering the launch of a new project or service. On the other hand, you may want to develop a new marketing strategy or experiment with various online advertising campaigns. Look into your company's wish list and implement a few new ideas during the summer months. This should help to bring in new sales and improved business.

The summer months do not have to cause worry in regard to your business's profits and overall growth. Implementing the right success strategies along with careful analysis can help sustain—or improve—your success during these unpredictable times.