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eMarketing Information12-month 2005 Marketing Calendar that Boost Sales
by:
Sharron Senter
Written By: Sharron Senter
The following is my 12-month promotional marketing calendar. Support it handy, as you'll need to refer to it throughout the coming year once
prediction your promotional messages. By no means is this list exhaustive. In fact, you should add to it based on your industry-related activities. There are galore holidays throughout the year that may be a natural tie-in with your product or service, such as National Book Week in January, if you're an author or editorial-related service or American Heart Month in February, if you sell health-related services or products.
My calendar list focuses on the major holidays once
most Americans have been trained to spend extra money or participate in a ceremonial activity. Generally speaking, you want to link your marketing promotions to a time of year once
customers have their wallets out. Thus, you're just positioning your product or service as the perfect gift or resolution for the celebrated event.
Be Prepared
You can ne'er
be too early in preparing your marketing campaigns. For example, in order for the typical small business owner to prepare for a Valentine's Day direct mail campaign, you'll need to get most of your materials written
and available to go by the third week in Gregorian calendar month and in the mailstream by the last week in January, surely no later than the 1st week in February. I recommend you plan two months in advance. Thus, you should start planning your Mother's Day campaign in early March. Obviously, the much involved the campaign, the much lead time. What's more, several advertising vehicles have extensive lead times, specifically magazines that need your camera-ready ad about 6 weeks [possibly much or less] before publication, and newspaper inserts besides require a reservation about 6-8 weeks before publication.
Unique Angle
Your promotional angle is the key to standing out from your competition. Folk are going to buy gifts at Christmas, without a doubt. But what does your service or product so interesting, that shoppers should hand over their money to you instead of the myriad of another stores? Find a creative answer, and you'll grow your business.
JANUARY
- New Year's Day, and the legal proceeding two weeks -- Launch your marketing messages the last week of December.
- Martin Martin luther King, Jr. Day -- Though not a big gift-giving time, this is a great time to spread a non- profit message.
FEBRUARY
- Valentine's Day -- Launch your marketing messages the last week in January. **Popular Gift- giving Time**
- President's Day
MARCH
- St. Patrick's Day
APRIL
- Apr Fools Day
- Daylight Savings Begins
- Easter **Popular Gift-giving Time**
- Secretaries Days **Popular Gift-giving Time**
MAY
- Mother's Day -- Launch your marketing messages about 3 weeks before. **Popular Gift-giving Time**
- Memorial Day
JUNE
- Father's Day **Popular Gift-giving Time** Launch your marketing messages about 3 weeks before.
- Graduation **Popular Gift-giving Time** Launch your marketing messages about 3 weeks before.
JULY
- Independence Day
- Back to School -- Though not a holiday, it's surely a popular time to find wallets open and accrued spending, particularly by moms and teenagers.
AUGUST
- Dog days of summer
- Back to School continuing
SEPTEMBER
- Back to School -- Marketing messages can continue through the 1st week of September.
- Labor Day
- Grandparent's Day
OCTOBER
- Columbus Day
- Allhallows eve **Popular Gift-giving Time**
- Holiday preparation should be 1/4 completed, seriously. Launch your 1st holiday message instantly after Halloween. This message wish generally go to your current client base, offering them an exclusive early-bird holiday special to expire in early November.
- Daylight Savings Ends
NOVEMBER
- Thanksgiving **Popular Gift-giving Time**
- Your Holiday advertising is in full swing
- Election Day
- Veteran's Day
DECEMBER
- Christmas Day **Popular Gift-giving Time**
- Channukah **Popular Gift-giving Time**
- New Year's Eve -- Launch New Year's message late the second week in December.
Just about the author:
Just about the Author
Sharron Senter is a New-England based marketing consultant, speaker, writer and founder of Senter & Associates, a marketing communications firm that helps small businesses deploy low-cost online and offline marketing tactics. Senter is well acknowledged for her free monthly emailed marketing tips found at http://www.sharronsenter.com
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