Can you believe it's November already? The holidays are
here and then the start of a new year will be upon us. Now
is a perfect time to reflect on your business and see if it
is all that it can be. Is it running at full speed and do
you have all the clients that you need?
If not, it's time to get those engines moving and start
into action before the New Year begins. I know, it's the
holidays and there's a lot's going on. But also it's the
perfect opportunity to connect with your clients or
potential new clients and get a head start on potential
work for next year. You will find that communication is so
much easier when you can utilize holiday greetings, holiday
goodies, and holiday presents. Holiday gifts and candy
will ease the way to a "Hi, how have you been? Send me
more business!" Or for those new potential clients, "Hi,
how are you—You need ME."
First, reconnect with ALL your clients and let them know
how you appreciate them and perhaps how you can help them
with other needs they may not even know you offer. Send a
personalized holiday card or greeting. For local clients
stop by their office and drop off presents, popcorn tins
for the staff and/or their favorite coffee for their
afternoon pick-me-up. For potential new clients, drop off
a Holiday cup full of wrapped candy with your business card
or perhaps get your business name printed on the candy bar.
For all you Virtual Assistants or word processors out
there, don't forget to stop by any small post offices or
UPS shops and offer to put your business cards there. Many
of these places will add your business card holders
directly to the counter. Think how much traffic is going
through these places shipping out those presents and what
great exposure that can be. And the best news is that they
usually do allow business cards with a business card
holder. Just think about it, people waiting impatiently in
line, pick up your card and BINGO—New client.
Also, many gyms now allow places to place business cards or
Gift Certificates. Come the beginning of the year we all
know how beneficial that will be.
Other tips include:
1) Read and research new things. So many great promotions
are going on now with the holidays and New Year coming.
Look to them and see what's out there and how you can apply
it to your business. Take advantage of the teleclasses and
seminars that are offered by the pros. Also, so many
established authors will offer free giveaways this month.
It's part of their marketing campaigns and you can reap the
benefits of it.
2) Join Associations: Join the association that you've
heard about by so many but haven't made the commitment yet.
Start the New Year with a firm commitment to attend at
least one engagement a month or more. See what a
difference it can make in your business by talking with
pros in your industry or networking with businesses, who
might utilize your services or products.
3) Take the Time to review Your Website. Now it can all go
to waste if they these potential clients get to your
website and see a unprofessional, poorly built,
error-ridden, mess of a site. Take a look at your website
and see if it is the best that it can be. Look to the
overall appearance, the professionalism of your wording,
the explanations explaining the benefits you provide, etc.
In fact, everything in your site needs to convince a client
to work with you. Now ask yourself, does it do that? Is
this something I can be proud of? Too often we throw
together a website, just to have it done. Remember this
can often be a client's first impression of you. Is it
selling you well?
4) Review your marketing. Is it still effective? Can you
do better? The first of the year is a great time to redo
some of your marketing and promotional pieces.
So this year as others are shopping and preparing for the
holidays, you can instead be preparing your business for
the New Year. What a gift that would be for YOU—to
start your business off with a bang and lots of new clients
you secured in your holiday marketing efforts.
November is a great time to reflect back on the year and
plan for the next. Why not plan to make next year, your
best one ever! Good Luck and Happy Marketing.
----------------------------------------------------
Diana Ennen, President of Virtual Word Publishing,
http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com and author of Virtual
Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought
After VA and Accompanying Workbook; WordPerfect OfficeReady
Virtual Assistant Solution Pack, (http://www.corel.com).
Available for media by contacting
diana@virtualwordpublishing.com. Free to reprint as long
as author's bio remains intact. Stop by for free booklets.
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