Although I’m all for rolling your company forward at ALL times of the year (Never Give Up! Never Surrender!), I WILL say that, after more than 30 years in the marketing business, there are particular times of the year that commonly create slumps in marketing and sales activity results. Of course, this varies across industry, too, but I’m primarily addressing online marketing efforts and classes.
If you’re in that time of year right now and no one seems to be showing you the love, here’s your opportunity to feel a lot better about yourself.
Typically, the WORSE sales season hops and scotches across the calendar year:
The first two weeks of June
The second week of August to about Sept. 8th
Dec. 10 – Dec 25th
And the BEST times of the year to sell?
That’s my marketing secret I only share with my clients. :->
So, in these “slow times,” while you’re still in communication and doing what you do on a weekly basis with your prospects and clients, here’s what I recommend you do:
My agency, Armitage, Inc. does primary planning, project calendaring, building, writing and designing/programming new websites in July and August. We want to hit the ground running for that second week of September when the whole business world comes out to play (which, by the way is ONE of the strongest sales weeks of the year, but I’m still not giving away the biggest week) … and we want ALL our ducks in a row for pre-holiday and immediate post-holiday sales and sign ups.
Once the autumn months start rolling, you’ll likely agree with me that times speeds up. You want to have everything already in place and ready to launch, even if it’s not launching until Jan. 6th (which, by the way, is ALSO one of the strongest sales weeks of the year, but I’m still not giving away the biggest week.)
The worst thing you can do …
… is to take two weeks in January to “figure out your thoughts and plan for the year ahead.” That’s not leverage. Start your 4th quarter work for your current year, as well as your 1st quarter of the following year in THIS YEAR’S July.
If you’re reading this at the end of the year, you’re going to have to take the time for new innovation and programs before July, clearly. Move quickly. The months of January and February are typically very growth-oriented. Be ready for that promise of the new year by BEING that promise for the niche industries you work within.