Beginning November 1st, stores put away the Halloween decor, and bring out the big guns. It’s holiday time, or what we used to acknowledge as Christmas/Hanukkah/Thanksgiving time. It reminds me of a holiday turducken. Some businesses slow down, and some make their best sales this time of year. Either way, everyone clamors for the customers, because the customers are on the move. November and December is arguably the prime hunting season for marketing departments.
Many companies set big plans and events into motion to reign in the business, but these potential profit events will not announce themselves.
Newspapers, eager for fresh news, thrive off incoming press releases. Radio and commercial advertisements riddle the airwaves with boisterous company announcements. Target markets respond with open ears. The holiday crowds are looking for places to go and places to shop; hook them with a good slogan or campaign. Aide them in their wanderings, and bring them to your doors.
On a different note, a company recently released two press releases–neither of which had to do with holiday shopping. Actually, one release announced one event that has taken place, and another announced one to come. Though nothing was advertised, the company drew positive attention towards their business. Perhaps that notable news drew more attention, because they didn’t try to sell something or their business directly. There are a number of potential attention grabbers that don’t require difficult sale campaigns.
Another great idea that I’ve already seen this season were customer-to-customer relations. An office I work for receives anywhere from one to five gift baskets a week between Thanksgiving and New Years. The event is difficult. There is so much to consume, and only one person gets the smoked salmon. I also have to mention that these beautifully ordained gift baskets are well over the necessary budgets to retain business with this company. In the tight economy, business-to-business and business-to-customer relations are being made in more economical terms, but also more personal. The holiday trend this year is to utilize half the Harry and Davids budget to hire a freelance writer to write a professional and personal business letter expressing the goals and accomplishments that the customer or other business has played an integral part in. November and December mean the conclusion of a year, and some thoughts are really appropriate to share with customers and business partners.
Utilize Twitter, Facebook, and other appropriate networking sights. No one can argue that these networking sites have become a staple in mainstream media and social networking. More and more businesses have added these fun social sites as essential business and commercial tools. Starbucks has recently hit Facebook with a bang, and in a short time announced that they have accrued 5 million fans. These 5 million now display that they’re Starbuck’s Facebook fans to their group of friends, and the effect is contagious. Now Facebook has access to their comments, feedback, and immediate access to news and specials. Here is the biggest kicker–no cent was spared in this endeavor except for the salary of the person posting to their Facebook page.
Derek and I will be doing a lot of work during these two months, and we couldn’t enjoy it more. We can design and print cards for either business or personal use. This is the time of year I can write a host of press releases, newsletters, radio commercials, and other advertising pieces.
Have a great week!
AmericanGirl
dteasle1
