Youre Halfway There!...Or Not Part 2

Now that you have had a chance to create a game plan for accomplishing your business goalsduring the third quarter of this year, let's focuson the fourth quarter of this year.

These last three months of the year are not only crucialfor meeting business goals for this year, they are also crucial for making sure you head into the next year on tracktowards meeting and exceeding future business goals.

Here are some ideas for wrapping up this yearon a positive (cash flow and emotionally) note:

DURING OCTOBER

Create a contest or sponsor an event in your community.

If you are creating a contest, think about ways to offera prize that will benefit the winner as well as your business.Make sure the contest entrants are comprised of your target market.

Distribute a press release to help promoteyour contest.Distribute another press release when the contestis over to announce the winner of the contest,and to demonstrate how your prize benefited the contest winner.

If you want to sponsor an event, find an eventthat will not only give your business appropriate exposure, but will also give you personal satisfaction.

This is also the month to start preparing for aHoliday promotion if you haven't already.Jot down some ideas for special offers that youcan give your prospects and clients during theholiday season.Offer a different promotion for each group.

Your holiday promotion for prospects should be designed to convert them into clients.Your holiday promotion for clients should be designed to keep them as longtime loyalclients who will continue to increase their lifetime customer value.

DURING NOVEMBER

It is time to roll out your Holiday specials.Make sure they are sent out duringthe first week in November, if notsooner.

You want your business and your special offersto be on the mind of your target market before they are drowning in offers and ads from othercompanies trying to persuade them to part withtheir holiday cash and end of the year budget dollars.

It is also time to start reflecting on what has happenedwith your business during this year.Create a Business Journal and write downbusiness lessons learned, accomplishments, mistakes made, and future business goals.

DURING DECEMBER

Wrap up the fulfillment of your Holiday Special Offers during thefirst half of December.

Show your appreciation for yourclients by giving them a gift tothank them for their business this year.Do this before the second half of Decemberapproaches.

Instead of sending a run of the mill calendar or holiday card, send a unique gift...A gift that uniquely reflects your business.

What can you give your clients that will be valued and used by them on a day to day basis?

How can you make your gift do double dutyby relating it to your business so your clientswill think of your business every time theyuse your gift?

Even a calendar can go from run of the mill to a unique tie in to your business by addingdaily or monthly tips to it, and branding it with your logo.

During the last half of December, give yourself and your business a gift by slowing down and working less.

Take time to enjoy the fruits of your laborby going on a much deserved vacation,or by donating your time and moneyto your favorite charity.

Before you go, don't forget to give yourbusiness the gift of a better future by settinggoals for next year.

Continue to create a game plan for your goals,and by consistently taking action on your plans,you will give your business a gift that keeps on giving for years to come.

Copyright 2004 Black Unicorn Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Tresaca Hamilton is the CEO of Black Unicorn Communications.Black Unicorn Communications helps Service Businesses attract more clients in less time. Visit http://www.blackunicorninc.com for a FREE Business Success Toolkit, including the 7 day e-course: 7 Steps To More Clients