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Scarborough
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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.
About the author: Janice Byer (CCVA, MVA) of Docu-Type Administrative & Web Services, provides professional & creative Virtual Assistance and Website Design. For more helpful small business and marketing information, view her NEW Information Ebooklets; read her ebook, Surfin' the Net - Docu-Type's Virtual Collection of Links; sign up for her free newsletter, Virtual TidBits; and read all of her published Articles, at http://www.docutype.net