If your business is like most, the holidays are your busiest season. It can be very easy to just be swept up in the “busy-ness” of it all, and fail to take a breath until after the holidays. Unfortunately, this approach means that once January rolls around, you have to work very hard to build up business again. But by taking a few strategic steps throughout the holidays, you can put the seeds in place that guarantee a profitable January and new year. Here are some suggestions:

  • Incentivize January Purchases. When someone makes a purchase from you during the holidays, offer a special deal or coupon that can be used in January. Be sure to collect their contact information too, so you can follow up in January and remind them!
  • Reward Hostesses Well. If your business is built on parties, offer a special gift for people that host both during the holidays as well as in the early part of the new year. Folks may choose to host a party at home during the holiday, and then another at the office in January, in order to take advantage of the special deal.
  • Reward Wellness. The new year is when everyone goes on a diet, and it’s the busiest time of the year for gyms, diet and exercise programs. Consider partnering with a local gym or diet support group to offer a special discount percentage folks can treat themselves with based on pounds lost or minutes spent exercising. The more weight lost or the more minutes spent at the gym, the bigger the discount!
  • Sponsor a 5K. Again, since in January people are focused on weight loss and resolutions, consider sponsoring a 5K race that helps a good cause while helping people to get fit. Offer special discounts to participants in the race on your products as a reward for helping others. This also provides your business with great exposure as you market the event.
  • Have a New Year’s Sale. The New Year is a great time to clear out old merchandise in preparation for your spring line. Have a special sale after Christmas that you first open up to Hostesses or Preferred Customers who have spent at a certain level during the holidays (they get first dibs at the sale), and then to all of your customers. Market the sale through advertising and social media channels, as well as your email list, so that everyone knows and can take advantage.

By taking a few minutes in the last few months of the year to plan your new year’s strategy, you can help your business thrive in the new year without having to start from scratch.

What are you doing now to build your business for the new year? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.