Dear Reader

Are you a big fan of Christmas? Do you have your tree up, your lights on and all your presents bought and wrapped? Or do you say "Bah humbug" to all the festive glitz and expense?

Whatever your attitude, Christmas is actually a great marketing tactic that should not be ignored and this issue of Scribbles will give you some ideas on how you can use it to promote your business.

When you’ve read this issue, let me know if you're a fan of Christmas or not and whether or not it should be used as a marketing tool by clicking here to answer this question on LinkedIn.

Best wishes,

Chantal

Chantal@Appletreeuk.com

Why Christmas is Just a Marketing Tactic

Personally I’m not a huge fan of Christmas, because it has become too commercial. We’ve forgotten the real meaning of Christmas and it can be so stressful. (On 25 December I’ll be at home with my husband, cats and dogs, enjoying a quiet day and a roast duck!)

However, from a marketing point of view, I do think Christmas has its uses. Here are a few ideas for you:

Seasonal promotions – you can use the end of the year to run special promotions. "Last chance to buy this service at this price before the prices go up in the New Year." Just make sure your promotion is different to what you offer throughout the rest of the year, or no one will take you seriously.

Christmas cards – I always take the time to write personalised Christmas cards to all my clients, suppliers, friends and supporters. It's my way of saying thank you for being with us this year and here's to more success next year. Each card is hand written, with a personal note in it, which shows the receiver that we've taken the time to think about them. The cards are only signed by people in the office who know the recipient; they are a great way of getting back in touch with people we've not spoken to for a while.

Party time – throwing a Christmas party for your clients is a great way to thank them for their custom and support over the year. It needn't cost the earth – think of something original and people will talk about it for years to come. The mince pie extravaganza we held a couple of years ago was a real hit.

Networking mayhem – many networking groups hold special Christmas events. If you go to all of them, it could get expensive, so choose wisely. Some will be more relaxed than usual, so if you want to do something a bit differently, this is the time to turn up wearing your reindeer antlers!

So will you be using Christmas as a marketing tool, or will you just be eating and drinking as much as you can, while wearing a party hat and dancing around the Christmas tree?! Click here to tell us what you think on LinkedIn.

Click here to order a copy of Magnetic Marketing.

New Year: New Plan?

It might be a cliché to say that the New Year is a great time to start doing things differently, or create a new plan for your future ... but if that's the way you think, then the timing is perfect. On 24 January 2012 I'll be running a half day workshop on Marketing Planning and how to accelerate the growth of your business. Click here for online booking, through the FSB website.

I ran a full day version of this workshop in November and here's what one deleage said:

"I've been to many workshops and talks about what I should do to make my business better but no one has given me a plan! No one has set a timetable and helped me work out what is right for me."

Magnetic Marketing

Do you want to attract the right sort of clients to your business – the sort of clients you really want to work with and who want to work with you? Are you a coach, consultant or trainer? Then my new book is written just for you. Click here to find out more and to buy a copy.

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