So many small business owners slack off over the holidays, but you should not be one of them. If you get your grind on now, you’ll have plenty of money to invest in your small business in 2014. Proper planning can result in super high-growth over the next 60 days. With just a little effort, you’ll have a complete book of business to kick off your new year. Try at least three of the marketing tactics listed below and you’ll be able to write yourself a bonus check this year for sure. Here are six ways to make more money in the last two months of 2013.
Refresh Your Website: Make sure your company website is ready to transact business. There should be a system for collecting email addresses, accepting credit cards, and a clear path to purchase. Put the most important information above the fold. It only takes a visitor 30 seconds to form an impression so let’s make it a good one.
Send Out a Direct Mail Piece: Email is so prevalent; direct mail is making a comeback. If you are a local business, create a coupon that can be mailed out within a 10 mile radius of your business location. Be sure to have your logo, complete contact information, special offer, a QR code, and website featured on your direct mail piece.
Create a Social Media Contest: Choose one social media tool to focus your marketing efforts. Create a grand prize giveaway, and invite customers and fans to post videos or photos online, sharing how they enjoy your product for a chance to win. Consult your lawyer to develop official contest rules.
Rev Up Your Email Marketing: Existing customers know you best. Offer a special discount for orders made before December 31. Use an email management tool like Mail Chimp www.mailchimp.com (which is free up to 2000 email addresses) to stay in touch with loyal customers. Develop a series of emails that focuses on solving your client’s biggest challenge going into 2014. This will keep your business top of mind when they are ready to make a purchase.
Participate in Signature Selling Days: Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are occasions people plan to shop. Create a special offer online or host an in store event to capture new and returning customers. Be sure to tell customers at least three weeks in advance to increase engagement. Once you’re properly positioned, watch your bottom-line grow.
Invest in Online Ads: Facebook ads and Google Adwords are affordable methods for reaching target customers. Facebook insights and the Google Adwords keyword planner tool will help identify the right target audience for your small business. You can run a campaign for less than $100 a day that gets results.
Offer FREE Shipping: Make buying a no brainer by offering free shipping this holiday season. Build the shipping cost into the price and present one flat fee. You won’t be able to compete with major online retailers if you don’t.
If you follow several of these marketing tips you will end the year in the black for sure.
“Creative Light Bulb With Drawing Business Strategy Plan” courtesy of KROMKRATHOG / www.freedigitalphotos.net
Do you have any other marketing suggestions?
This so true and so unnecessary. It is definitely possible to have year round business but it takes planning. What you do today effects your business most 3 months down the road!
Another reason why you should not slack off in December because if you do you will have a slow March!