With pumpkins grinning at you from retail stores and neighbors' front steps, it's hard to ignore the fact that it's almost Halloween. But all those glowing jack-o-lanterns should remind you of something else, too. It's time to fire up your marketing efforts for the holiday season.

While the holiday shopping season traditionally doesn't start until the day after Thanksgiving, the time to get your marketing materials ready to mail is right now.

One approach to bringing in business after Thanksgiving Day is to send your customers a little Thanksgiving Day "thank you" in the form of a discount coupon or other special offer.

Sure, you could send a coupon after Thanksgiving, too. But it's more likely to get lost in the pile of fliers and holiday cards your customers will be getting. Send a greeting and special holiday offer just before Thanksgiving, and you'll have a better chance of having your message seen.

What if you aren't a retailer or food establishment? Talk to businesses in your community or industry to see if there's one that sees the value of cross-promotion. Suggest the other business give you coupons (say, buy one dinner get one half-priced) that you can send as a gift to your customers. You do the mailing, they get a relatively inexpensive and easy way to market their business and be recommended to your customers. You win by having a good reason to remind customers, clients or patients that you're available to serve them whenever they need you.

More >> Smart Holiday Marketing To Rev Up Your Revenues

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