Youre Halfway There!...Or Not Part 2

Now that you have had a chance to create a game plan for accomplishing your business goals during the third quarter of this year, let's focus on the fourth quarter of this year.

These last three months of the year are not only crucial for meeting business goals for this year, they are also crucial for making sure you head into the next year on track towards meeting and exceeding future business goals.

Here are some ideas for wrapping up this year on a positive (cash flow and emotionally) note:

DURING OCTOBER

Create a contest or sponsor an event in your community.

If you are creating a contest, think about ways to offer a prize that will benefit the winner as well as your business. Make sure the contest entrants are comprised of your target market.

Distribute a press release to help promote your contest. Distribute another press release when the contest is over to announce the winner of the contest, and to demonstrate how your prize benefited the contest winner.

If you want to sponsor an event, find an event that will not only give your business appropriate exposure, but will also give you personal satisfaction.

This is also the month to start preparing for a Holiday promotion if you haven't already. Jot down some ideas for special offers that you can give your prospects and clients during the holiday season. Offer a different promotion for each group.

Your holiday promotion for prospects should be designed to convert them into clients. Your holiday promotion for clients should be designed to keep them as longtime loyal clients who will continue to increase their lifetime customer value.

DURING NOVEMBER

It is time to roll out your Holiday specials. Make sure they are sent out during the first week in November, if not sooner.

You want your business and your special offers to be on the mind of your target market before they are drowning in offers and ads from other companies trying to persuade them to part with their holiday cash and end of the year budget dollars.

It is also time to start reflecting on what has happened with your business during this year. Create a Business Journal and write down business lessons learned, accomplishments, mistakes made, and future business goals.

DURING DECEMBER

Wrap up the fulfillment of your Holiday Special Offers during the first half of December.

Show your appreciation for your clients by giving them a gift to thank them for their business this year. Do this before the second half of December approaches.

Instead of sending a run of the mill calendar or holiday card, send a unique gift... A gift that uniquely reflects your business.

What can you give your clients that will be valued and used by them on a day to day basis?

How can you make your gift do double duty by relating it to your business so your clients will think of your business every time they use your gift?

Even a calendar can go from run of the mill to a unique tie in to your business by adding daily or monthly tips to it, and branding it with your logo.

During the last half of December, give yourself and your business a gift by slowing down and working less.

Take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor by going on a much deserved vacation, or by donating your time and money to your favorite charity.

Before you go, don't forget to give your business the gift of a better future by setting goals for next year.

Continue to create a game plan for your goals, and by consistently taking action on your plans, you will give your business a gift that keeps on giving for years to come.

Copyright 2004 Black Unicorn Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Tresaca Hamilton is the CEO of Black Unicorn Communications. Black Unicorn Communications helps Service Businesses attract more clients in less time. Visit http://www.blackunicorninc.com for a FREE Business Success Toolkit, including the 7 day e-course: 7 Steps To More Clients

---

Fundraising Letters Should Raise Donors, Not Donations, When Mailed to Strangers

Are you willing to spend $1.25 to raise $1? To... Read More

Create Free Internet Buzz with Your Workforce

There are many different ways to increase your traffic on... Read More

Collecting Customer Data The Easy Way

Market research is a critical component of any marketing strategy.... Read More

Most Wanted Response... How To Make It Work

"When I walked into the grocery store last Saturday, I... Read More

Want To Be A Stronger Marketer? Work Your Marketing Muscles!

You want to be more flexible? You have to stretch... Read More

How Toyota Captured the #1 Market Share . . . Through Solid Decision-Making!

How Toyota Captured the #1 Market Share . . .... Read More

Business Cards and Business Etiquette

One of the very basic conditions of being a successful... Read More

Always Sell To New Eyes And New Ears

One of the hardest things for you to do as... Read More

How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth? Powerful Lessons In Marketing & The Psychology Of Selling - Part 4

Let's continue to discuss the various marketing principles that are... Read More

A Pass / Fail Test for Any New Market

If you are considering entering a new target market, with... Read More

How To Successfully Launch A New Business Activity

I often talk with business owners who tell me how... Read More

Networking: The Cost of a Connection

"Networking is a waste of time," said JoAnne, owner of... Read More

Voice Mail Can Be Your Buddy

Voice Mail is a classy name for "answer Machine". Problem... Read More

Shopping Comes Back To The Community

THE GREAT BRITISH TRADITION OF STREET MARKETS IS UPHELD AT... Read More

A Great Marketing Model ? Utilizing the Power of OPM

Staying ahead of the marketing curve seems to be a... Read More

Newsletters - A Great Way to Build Business Relationships

This is an excellent way to grow your business using... Read More

B2B Marketing Tips - Create an Interactive Online Experience for Clients

Business to business communications on the web are as stale... Read More

Mortgage Marketing - What Your Client Wants

Your business depends on the success of your marketing efforts.... Read More

A Point in Every Direction is the Same As No Point At All

Ever try to be something for everyone and find no... Read More

10 Steps To Getting Paid For Your Marketing Materials

How many times have you heard the same sound bites... Read More

Whats Your Marketing Weak Link?

Your marketing weak link could be undermining the rest of... Read More

Coupons that Work

Turn a coupon into a business card (or vice versa).Coupons... Read More

Ready, Fire, Aim!

You probably read my headline and thought, wait a minute,... Read More

Does Your Marketing Plan Need Changing?

Change is good, right? Not always. But when is it... Read More

Mortgage Broker Marketing - Sell Problems, Not Solutions

Are your marketing messages to Realtors® guilty of these promises?-... Read More

The M-Word (Marketing) Phase 2

Last month we looked at what you need to do... Read More

Marketing Tips: Free First

When people think about promoting their business, the first thought... Read More

Getting Your Marketing Message Across with CD Business Cards

CD Business cards allows any type of business that dynamic... Read More

A Quick Guide To Finding Reciprocal Links

Trading reciprocal links is one of the best ways to... Read More

Mark Twain?s Great Marketing Idea

To tell you the truth (and about 53% of this... Read More

Embracing The Future - Marketing Yourself, Your Business And Your

IntroductionMany businesses and organisations have a perception that marketing means... Read More

Let Your Survey Write Your Business Plan

Most entrepreneurs first write their business plan and then develop... Read More

Trade Show Promotions That Are Memorable

If you have been to expos and trade shows as... Read More