Christmas is but 8 weeks away. So what are you doing now for your Christmas promotions? Please don’t tell me “nothing in particular”. Because my answer to that is: “WHAT!?”

Let’s back up a bit to get some ideas that you can implement that aren’t going to make your accountant cry and you to have an ulcerated Christmas break worrying about big bills coming in to be paid in the New Year.

If you normally have your Christmas Cards printed, then it’s well and truly time you had them being done at your favourite Printers now before the rush is on. If you send out hand written cards from your office, then now’s the time to make sure you have a stack ready to write and you aren’t scrounging around buying “woollies specials” at the last minute.

Remember, the earlier you get them out to your customers and suppliers, the longer the benefit you get from them by having them seen for a longer period of time.

And if you do hand written Christmas cards (recommended) why not support your favourite charity by buying their cards rather than a corporate multi-national’s cards?

I know for a fact that Rotary International have a nice assortment of Christmas cards they would love to sell you to send out – they are AUD$12:00 for a pack of 10 and the money goes to a variety of excellent programmes.

Contact me jan@constructingprofits.com if you don’t personally know a Rotarian. But we are not the only community organization who sells cards at this time of year so all I’m asking is that you consider buying your Christmas Cards from one of these very worthy and hard-working community organizations.

Now, if you have special customers you would like to give a Christmas freebie to, I saw an interesting idea last week in Brisbane. It was drizzling rain and the Hotel gave a customer a golf-umbrella with their name printed in large letters between all the ribs.

It looked like the Hotel was still keeping the customer safe. As soon as I saw it, I remembered I just had to share it with Master Plumbers because that is what your work does too for everyone. People like to feel cared for and safe and tend to reward those who make them feel that way.

Here in Australia it is summertime. And it’s going to be a hot, dry, summer. We all love a cold beer on a hot day but let’s capitalise on that by helping favourite customers enjoy a coldie for as long as possible by giving out ‘stubby holders’. These go on working for many, many years.

The interesting thing too is that they keep hot drinks warm when required so they are a very versatile freebie. They usually get put on people’s fridges and so get seen every day, summer and winter.

Calendars, pens, diaries are good too but not exactly original gifts. To make a customer you have a very close relationship with, feel ‘special’; I strongly suggest giving them something really original ~ something obviously only for them. Something that they may have expressed a passing interest in, in a past conversation.

This goes to show them that you (a) listen to them and (b) thought enough of your relationship to do something above and beyond anything else for any other customer. Also at this time of year, don’t forget your subbies or employees. You need to market to them as well as your customers. Give them each something personal meant only for them (and all around the same price-tag) and be pleasantly surprised by how well they remember your kindness during the coming year. Improves relationships no end and improved relationships means increased profits.

Then there are your suppliers. Some major suppliers but remember all your suppliers need to be marketed to too. If you don’t feel inclined to give them a ‘freebie’ then don’t ~ only you know the relationship you have with them~ but a Christmas card wishing them and all their staff well, certainly won’t go astray. Anyway, it keeps your name around to be seen so even if you have had a disagreement with them, Christmas time is a good time to let bygones be bygones.

Christmas ‘freebies’ / gifts don’t have to be expensive. In fact, it is important to get the balance right between gift and freebie as it can be embarrassing for all concerned if you get someone special an expensive gift and they don’t reciprocate. So all you need to do is follow your ‘gut’ instinct about what is appropriate and what is ‘over-the-top’.

But whatever you do ~ or decide not to do ~ now’s the time to start making the decision. Remember, the earlier you get your Christmas Cards out to Customers and Suppliers, the longer your advertising is working for you.