Holiday
Slow Times Should Not Mean Lost Productivity
By Janice D. Byer, CCVA, MVA
Docu-Type Administrative & Web Services
That joyous season that most of us look
forward to is just around the corner. Time for family get-togethers,
holiday parties and, with any luck, a few days off.
However, it is also the time of year that
if you are running a business that doesn’t sell products or services
that make great gifts or that compliment holiday events, you may
experience a little bit of a slow time, especially during December.
You can look forward to the rush that often
comes in January when everyone gets back into the swing of a normal life
but what can you do during the lull of the holiday season and the time
that leads up to it?
1. Online Holiday Shopping
No matter how hard you try, you can’t
ignore the desire to shop and the easiest way is online (in my opinion).
However, remember that if you leave it too late, you will be limited to
shopping from websites of retailers that are within 2 or 3 days shipping
distance.
2. Spruce up your Website
If you have been longing to make some
changes, some additions, or try something new, now is the time to do it.
Your web designer, who also runs a business that may be a little slower at
this time of year, would be more than happy to help you out.
3. Build up your Resources
Many small business owners have areas on
their websites offering resources for their visitors or a newsletter with
helpful information. If you are one of them, now is the time to search for
information and links to offer. Build up your arsenal for future editions
of your newsletter or your website.
4. Exchange Links
While you are building that list of
resources (above), why not see if the originators of them want to exchange
links with you. It is a win, win situation for everyone.
5. Submit your website to search engines
& directories
If you have a web designer, he/she may have
already submitted your site to the top search engines but that doesn’t
mean that you can’t do some of the work as well. Do a search online for
directories that target your market or that list businesses similar to
yours and submit your site as well. Be sure to check to see if your site
is already there before submitting.
6. Write your next newsletter
If you publish a print or online
newsletter, or if it has been you long desire to get one off the ground,
now is the time to get started. Those resources you were collecting in #3
above would make great content. And if you need articles, feel free to use
any of ours at http://www.docutype.net/press.htm
7. Create new marketing material
There are countless means of marketing your
business that you may have already tried. Why not freshen them up a bit
and try them again? There are probably numerous others that you have
wanted to try. Now is the time to give it a whirl. Design a new banner,
draft up a new article,… whatever you have been wanting to try or
change.
8. Offer Christmas products or services
I know… sounds odd since we are talking
about what to do if you don’t have Christmas products or services.
However, why not consider offering some for next year? As you surf around,
there may be something that catches your eye and you would like to offer
it. For instance, we offer three services… Christmas Cards (portion of
the proceeds goes to the Children’s Wish Foundation), Gift Certificates
for our services, and Santa Letters. They may not be much but it helps to
give us a little more to do during the usual slow holiday times.
9. Have some “ME” Time
Although some of the above mentioned ideas
will help fill some time and keep your business bringing in new clients,
why not use some of that open time during the holiday season just for you.
Watch that movie that you have been dieing to see; go for a long walk;
soak in the tub; or just read a good book.
The prime retail season may be slower for
businesses that don’t thrive on this time of year but that doesn’t
mean it can’t be a productive time. Now is the time to catch up on
things that you may not necessarily get a chance to address when business
picks up in the New Year.
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