With Halloween receding in your rearview mirror, it's time to start looking toward the holidays. Traditionally this is the start of the big push to launch marketing campaigns to ensure holiday shopping success. I'm facinated how many business owners take this time to slack off with the idea that they will "Hold off until next year" to plan their digital marketing strategy. It's true you can click a link and immediately be transported to the other side of the planet, but it takes time to plan a successful online marketing campaign. You simply can't wait until the day after Christmas to start on your plans for a prosperous New Year.
So even though the weather here in Florida makes you think of the beach instead of chestnuts roasting, let me share what's on my wishlist for a happy and prosperous 2013.
Making a List, and Sending it Twice (or thrice)
We all hope to get our holiday greetings out the door before the end of the season, but you can't wait to the last minute and expect to connect with your clients in time for the new year. Remember how many long lost vendors came out of the woodwork the first week of the new year? All of them were hoping to make up for lost time. Now is the time to get a jump on your outbound email marketing campaign for the new year. Instead of being just one of the crowd, consider working on your list now to give you time to connect with them more than once before the floodgates open on January 1st.- Use the analytics resources of your email broadcast software to determine your most loyal fans.
- Connect with them now by sharing your plans for the new year.
- Broadcast a Save the Date announcement for a future event.
- Map out your strategic plan. Share your thoughts on 2012 and your insights or trends heading into the new year.
Deck the Halls
Fall Foliage, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year provide plenty of opportunities to change and redecorate your environment. Take time to review the pages on your site including Home, About, News. Is it time to change out the content for a new season?- Remove outdated references
- The most important area of your Social Networking profile is the About section. You don't need to write a holiday letter, just make sure it includes an update on your accomplishments and current prospects.
A Time for Bearing Gifts
You don't have to wait for the holidays to share the gift of content. The quickest way to put a smile on your prospects face is to publish relevant content on your site. Even plainly wrapped PDFs bring good cheer (and positive brand impressions) to your prospects and customers.- Publish links to valuable resources. Wrap them up with a bright bow of your valuable insight on how to leverage the resource you shared.
- Publish some tasty homemade treats of white papers or stocking stuffers of short checklists for everyone on your list.
Can't you almost smell those chestnuts roasting on that open fire?
What Makes the Holidays Special
Traditions, trust, anticipation, giving, emotions. The holidays seem to bring out each of these elements in abundance. It's no mystery that each is essential if you hope to use your web presence to connect with people. It's precisely what's missing from those spur of the moment, first day back from vacation, "this year is going to be different", insincere messages you are going to receive on January 2nd next year.
You're better than that.
What's on Your Holiday Wishlist?
Give yourself the perfect holiday gift this year. Call Santa's helper at 727-278-9382 to get started on your New Year Resolutions before the holiday rush!
Happy Holidays.