5 easy and effective Christmas marketing ideas for your business

It seems that, in the US at least, the holiday season starts earlier and earlier, with Christmas cards taking over most of the card section of any store right after Halloween (if not before! ).

And while it bothers me to hear Christmas music on the store speakers while shopping for my daughter’s Halloween costume (because by the time Santa visits, I’m pretty tired of dreaming of a “White Christmas”), as far as planning how to market during the holiday season for my business, it is almost never too early.

One of the mantras of customer abundance is “Giver’s Get”, in the sense that you are giving from a place where you have no expectations of receiving anything in return.

What follows are 5 ways you can contribute to your business, feel really good, and reap the rewards of the Universe.

1. Thank your customers and clients.

One obvious thing to do around Thanksgiving is to show your gratitude to your current customers and clients for your business. But you might be surprised how few business owners take the time to do this.

It could be something as simple as expressing your appreciation in a short email. Or you can send a thank you card in the mail. Or you can go one step further and do what I’m doing this year: send a postcard expressing my gratitude with a link to a special, free gift for my VIP clients and clients.

Taking the time to say thank you goes a long way toward deepening that important relationship with your current customers and clients. If you don’t do anything else this holiday season, at least do this.

2. Give your e-list a gift.

Your ‘pot of gold’ in your business on your email list of prospects and clients. You should always treat them well, but at least once a year, offer them a gift, unconditionally, just because …

This year, I will offer my second annual 12 Days of Christmas series to my ezine subscribers, where they will receive something of value that will benefit them in building their business once a day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. This was a huge success last year, and it was wonderful for me to think of something new every day.

However, you do not have to offer 12 gifts. Just one will do very well too.

3. Give the gift of a vacation coupon.

As a gift to your list, as well as to increase your income, why not offer a coupon for one or more of your offers? You can offer a 2-for-1 coaching session, or a 20% discount on one of your e-books or courses, or you can offer a special price for the month of December only on one of your programs.

4. Give your affiliates a gift.

Your affiliates are also one of your greatest assets in your business. Show your gratitude to the people who have chosen to join your ‘sales force’ by increasing your commissions for the holiday season.

Ideally, your commission rate should be at least 25%. Why not reward them more for promoting their offers by doubling their commissions to 50%?

5. Make yourself a gift.

And don’t forget about yourself! If you haven’t already, hire a virtual assistant to help you now so you can enjoy your vacation more. You’ll be so glad you did and you’ll never be a lonely ranger again!

I would like to invite you to choose at least two of these ways to donate in your business to implement this holiday season.

Copyright (c) 2006 Alicia M Forest and ClientAbundance.com