The Move

Handle a crisis

When it's your slow season: wake up the people you already know.

The move, in one sentence

Your warmest, cheapest business is people who came once and simply forgot you.

Time: about 45 minutes to set upCost: $0Updated Jun 29, 2026

Your warmest, cheapest business is people who came once and simply forgot you. A slow season isn't the time to chase strangers, it's the time to remind the people who already like you that you exist.

Do this

  1. 1Compile a contact list of previous customers.
  2. 2Send personalized outreach messages, individually.
  3. 3Offer specific, meaningful incentives tied to what they usually order.
  4. 4Host a small themed event on a quiet weekday.
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Message to a past customer

Hi [name]! It's [your name] from [place]. I realized we haven't seen you in a bit and just wanted to say we'd love to have you back. If you come in this week, your [their usual / a little treat] is on us.

Real example

A ramen shop owner texts forty regulars with personalized offers ("your usual tonkotsu is on me if you swing by this week"), converting a quarter into customers and creating a "rainy-day ramen" themed night.

You're done when

You're done once you've contacted at least twenty past customers and scheduled one small weekday event.