Plan Ahead: How to Promote Your Company Before The New Year Hits

Wising you a Happy Holiday Season and Peaceful New Year!

I've been writing a lot of business-focused articles lately and recently wrote about the importance of public relations (PR) and how it can make or break a company. I started to think about long-range planning, and how most companies wait until it's too late to make a promotional/marketing plan.

Here are some easy promotional tips that will boost your publicity BEFORE you ring in the New Year. As health/wellness practitioners, the New Year is infamous for resolutions, especially when it comes to health. This is a great time to plant the seed in clients' brains right NOW.

• Offer discounted prices for services and products for a limited time beginning January 1
• Prepare now! Plan a free demo class/seminar in January that highlights your products and services. Include other holistic/wellness practitioners that complement your business. People are motivated to make health changes when the New Year hits, so don't wait too long.
  
• If you send out a holiday newsletter or cards, include a promotional deal to "thank" your clients for their continued support and business (i.e. "2 for 1" massages).

Re-evaluate your marketing and publicity goals and make necessary changes this month. Don't wait until January! December is a busy month as you prepare for the holidays, but take time to focus on your business. Look at what you've done this year with your marketing and publicity, and think about how you can improve next year. If something isn't working, then take a different approach.

Another great way to gauge your publicity/marketing is to survey existing clients - even if it's a short 5 question survey. Find out what your customers/clients really want in 2010. Maybe you need to move in a completely different direction. Don't allow the economy to scare you off from looking at all angles of your business. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How was I successful this year?
• What marketing and publicity goals worked well this year? What didn't work well?
• What changes can I make to improve my overall marketing and publicity? (Have you been avoiding setting up a website? 2010 is the year to create that site!)

Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous New Year!