Marketing ? Like a Game of Chess

Have you started thinking about your Valentines Day Promotion yet?

It may sound like a strange question on the day before Thanksgiving but it really isn't. When scheduling your promotions it is like a game of chess. You should always be thinking at least 3 moves ahead.

In this case each "move" should be one month. Therefore you should have been thinking about your Valentines, or February promotions as you fall asleep after your big Turkey dinner.

There are a few reasons why you need to have your promotions figured out that early.

Getting Promo Out Takes Time.

By having it all worked out months in advance you give yourself enough time for the logistics. Getting the concept down, getting artwork put together, printing, and mailing all have to be done and this can take several weeks from being an idea in your head to being a piece of promo in your customers hands. You are also going to want to have the piece in your customers' hands at least 2 weeks before the sale or event.

Get the Message Out Multiple Times.

Getting your promo out early lets you drive your message home through repetition. Take Christmas for example. If you start mailing to your customers in the beginning of November, you will be able to cement your company name in their head because you will be able to mail to them multiple times before they have to make their Holiday purchases. On the other hand if you start mailing to them in late November or Early December you will not have the time to do multiple mailings. Getting one mailing out at that stage will still be much better than not sending anything at all, but nothing works better when promoting than multiple mailings with the same message to the same list.

Free Up Time for Running Your Business.

Most people who own a business do their own marketing. Thankfully marketing is one of the few things in a business that you can do far in advance. By scheduling your holiday promotions ahead of time you will make yourself available to wear all of the other hats that you do around your business.

Scheduling promotions can seem like a huge task, but some things are just worth the extra thought. It really isn't that daunting. Once it is done, then you'll have time to put your ideas and energy on other areas that need your attention so that you maximize your efforts toward expansion.

Check Mate!

Joy Gendusa founded PostcardMania in 1998; her only assets a computer and a phone. In 2004 the company did close to $9 million in sales and employs over 60 persons. She attributes her explosive growth to her ability to choose incredible staff and her innate marketing savvy. Now she's sharing her marketing secrets with others. For more free marketing advice, visit her website at http://www.postcardmania.com

---

Making Your Mark With The Millennials

Generation Y--The second-largest crop of young people in America's history,... Read More

Simple Marketing Idea - Big Marketing Results!

Have you ever noticed how many times it's the simplest... Read More

Marketers VS Consumers Predators VS Prey

The distance between marketing consultants and the real world can... Read More

Five Steps to Partnering with Companies to Build Your Client Base

Wouldn't you love a simple formula for easily growing your... Read More

Business Marketing For Consultants, Coaches, Speakers, and Trainers: How To Be Noticed and Trusted

Business marketing is essential for professional services, such as consultants,... Read More

Your Marketing Plan - Prerequisite to Success

Marketing is a vital aspect of a business' operations. It... Read More

Marketing as a Spiritual Practice II: Unearthing Your Potential

Marketing as we know it is over. Done. Finito.People the... Read More

Building Credibility for Your Business

Small companies that rely on business-to-business sales often find it... Read More

Marketing Quandaries

Being in a quandary prevents you from moving forward in... Read More

The Dare-To-Be-Different In Marketing Checklist

There is a big payoff in being different. When you... Read More

Promotions for Mobile Detailers

Mobile businesses are quite unique in the way they must... Read More

Love My Dentist

I love my dentist! When is the last time you... Read More

Marketing Smarter To Earn More

An accountant once told me that he never met anyone... Read More

These Four Things Will Make Your Direct Marketing Successful

Direct marketing is built on four things. The other way... Read More

Spike TV - Know Your Audience

What do Klingons, giant rubber bands, and monster trucks all... Read More

10 Reasons Why Businesses Fail at Marketing.

1) They don't fully understand it.Perception: Marketing is advertising. Reality:... Read More

Happy Hunting!

Before you ever get on the telephone, send a marketing... Read More

How To Achieve Success With Your Own Money Making Newsletter

Writing and publishing a successful newsletter is perhaps the most... Read More

9 Highly Effective Marketing Tips

Here are 9 low-cost but highly effective marketing tips to... Read More

Loan Officer Websites: Your Marketing Hub to Magnetize Realtors

Too many loan officer websites look like congested intersections, information... Read More

Like Brushing Your Teeth

What do the following things have in common: brushing your... Read More

Marketing is More Important Than Expertise

Being a master of your craft, skill, or talent doesn't... Read More

Sleigh Bells Ring...And Cash Registers, Too

During the holidays, folks everywhere shop many long hours to... Read More

Joint Venture: 50 Power Secrets Of Joint Venture Marketing, Exposed

What is a Joint Venture?A joint venture is an agreement... Read More

10 Packaging Tips That Will Make Consumers Buy Your Product

The customer is king/queen. We have all heard this mantra.... Read More

Unleash the Powerful Promoter Within

Dear Friend,You're ripping me off.How? You may be thinking, "We... Read More

Ten Crucial Questions

Ten Crucial Questions for Your Business Future I'm... Read More

Use The Neglected Weapons In Your Marketing Arsenal

Business marketers have a lot of weapons in their arsenals... Read More

Marketing: Can I Trust You?

We live in an unprecedented era of communication. Because of... Read More

How to Create a Countdown Marketing Calendar

Just like there are reverse dictionaries, there is a reason... Read More

Marketing Tips- Who Are You Competing With?

Before you can market, you need to know who you... Read More

How Prince Connects With His Target Market!

While Internet legend (and young pup) Frank Kern would have... Read More

The Advantage to Buying Promotional Products Online

Buying your promotional products and corporate apparel online provides five... Read More