MARKETING MATTERS: ARE YOU READY FOR HOLIDAY SEASON?

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Tips and tricks for business success and growth
 
by Rama Beerfas
 
October 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –  For some companies, the holiday season is the busiest one of the year - it can even be the make or break time. Other businesses experience a lull that they could nap to during the last quarter.
In either case, preparing and executing a well thought-out marketing plan will help make the most out of the last quarter and may even spark an up-tick in first quarter revenues.
For those businesses that thrive during the holiday season, there are advantages to building a marketing plan that capitalizes on the busyness of the season by giving incentives for those customers to return during the first quarter of the following year. Of course having a plan that includes upsells to maximize holiday sales is also advantageous.
If your business is traditionally slow during the last three months of the year, this is the best time to evaluate what were the successes and weaknesses of the current marketing plan, to evaluate the trends in the marketplace that may have an affect on future sales, and to finalize a marketing plan for the following year. By being prepared for the next year no later than November, you can start implementing action steps that will have your pipeline of prospects already filling up come January 2nd.
Finally take advantage of the season by making sure to thank your loyal customers, employees, vendors and anyone else who has helped make your business a success during the past year. Although I do so out of gratitude to those who have allowed me to be in business and to grow that business every year for the past nine years, I also know that this type of outreach - whether just a card or a holiday gift to my best clients - usually reminds at least one person that they need to do the same for their supporters. That often means at least one extra sale for me that I hadn't expected!
By the way, I always recommend sending holiday cards and gifts for business purposes at Thanksgiving rather than in December. Why not take advantage of the perfect built-in excuse to give thanks to those who've made your business successful without worrying about what they celebrate, when they celebrate it, or that your sentiment will get lost in the December deluge of cards and gifts.

Rama Beerfas is Chief Solutions Specialist for San Diego-based Lev Promotions, offering complete marketing services from consulting, promotional products, mobile marketing, social media marketing, editorial work and more. Rama also offers seminars and training in marketing and customer service related topics. She can be reached at (619) 697-2045 or at rama@levpromotions.com or visit www.levpromotions.com. Column requests and comments are welcome. 


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