December: A Month to Be Remembered

December is upon us and it’s often the month where productivity drops a bit, unless, of course, you are in the retail business. It seems too late in the year to start a new project, and with the holidays nearly at our doorstep, you may feel that you are intruding on others with your marketing message. But before you write off December, you can still finish this year off with a bang…

Stay Front of Mind. Are there clients you haven’t contacted in a while? Is this a good time for a renewal commitment? Wishing season’s greetings is appropriate, and a more personal touch than just a standard card would stand out as memorable for your clients. If you usually give gifts of some kind, personally deliver them instead of shipping them, and see what opportunities open up that might otherwise be missed. Some client companies might even have budgeted funds left at the end of the year that they are trying to spend, so it may be the best time of the year for them to buy your services.

Create a Client Appreciation Event. Even if there’s no time to pull it together before year end, start planning it now. Make it an annual event. Choose a date that works for your business and for the seasonal needs of your clients.

Book appointments into the New Year. There is limited time to meet face to face as the year end gets closer, but a phone call to book an appointment for January? Well, that’s a much more doable objective. Make sure to confirm the appointment in writing and follow up with one or more reminders as you near the date.

Get started on a new project. Most entrepreneurs will wait until January to start their new project, but if you already have a head start, you will carry that momentum right into the New Year. Psychologically, starting a new project in December sets up the brain with intent for a productive and profitable year ahead.

Prepare your business strategy for 2015. Review your year with your coach and your accountant and start planning 2015. Decide what products and services you are going to provide and the target markets you will attract. Take out your calendar and start plotting dates of completion, daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, and most of all, plot in the time you will take for yourself, such as time with family and vacations. Preparation now in December helps you hit the ground running in 2015.

Momentum matters.