Christmas is coming …. everyone stop working ????
Tis the season to be merry etc etc etc but does your business have to stop for two weeks before Xmas?
At Context we’re still busy and like many agencies we take this time to plan next years activity and even get ahead of ourselves so we can beat the rush in the New Year.
If you don’t use an agency here are a few simple steps you may want take to get next years marketing going:
1. Set some realistic objectives
Whenever we see companies the first thing we ask are what are the business objectives - be honest and open. In the current economic climate it could be as simple as keep our current customers or win a new contract a month. Don’t be unrealistic - don’t say double the business size in the next six months unless you’ve got the budget or resources.
2. Look at your skills
Do you have the right skills in house for next year - yes there is a recession but if you want to grow you may need to take on people to get you to where you want to go to. You may want to look at outsourcing certain functions.
3. Where is your time best spent
If you are a sales led business you need to push sales - don’t spend time saving a few pennies doing things such as writing your own press releases when your time would be best spent selling your services.
4. Look at your competitors
If your competitors are doing something that works …. copy it. Don’t try and reinvent the wheel. As an agency we will often review client competitors and with a few minor tweeks put a campaign in place.
5. Set a budget for next year
Marketing costs money but should always get you results. If you want to do things next year set the budget now. It helps you plan cash flow and also set targets. The worst thing possible is to talk to an agency and say “tell me what I should be spending”. How long is the piece of string?
You don’t have to know what your budget is to be down to the last penny but a guide is useful - Between x and y lets people know what your comfort level is. If your looking at outsourcing a good agency will not tell you how to spend all the budget just what will help you achieve your objectives.
6. Get advice
If you are not sure, ask - a day with an agency could be very well spent.