It is coming to the end of the year. While many of us are thinking about winding down for the Christmas holiday’s (and January, as let’s face it, the city is a ghost town over January), there is still one last marketing push before the year is out. Follow these tips to ensure that you can have a peaceful holiday period.
Take advantage of scheduling apps
My biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of social media scheduling apps. Schedule tweets, schedule Instagram, schedule Facebook.
There are many great tech products to assist, and to be honest; they are all comparable in my experience. I personally like Buffer, but I know others in the office like Hootsuite. Taylor is also good. Choose one, and invest the time in getting to know how it works.
Remember, proper social media management means you also have to have genuine engagement. Scheduling isn’t quite set and forget, you do need to interact, but it is a lot quicker and easier to keep up with notifications when the posting is organised.
Be accessible, be authentic
If you have an Apple Watch, it is a lot easier to keep up with notifications on the go. Anyone who knows me knows that I love my Apple Watch.
As I mentioned before, you need to engage with your audience and be genuine. Take advantage of tech and the ease of communication it creates, and allow an authentic, behind the scenes look at your business.
Be clear about your office hours
Don’t be afraid to take time off over Christmas, but give notice of your leave and times let people know in advance your office hours. Now is an excellent time to add your closing dates to your email signature. You won’t loose the respect of a client for taking time away. You will annoy them by not answering their emails without explanation.
Send a card
I love to send Christmas cards thanking clients for their business and wishing them a happy new year. I know they are a bit out of fashion, but it is a good feeling to get a holiday card in the mail. There are some beautiful charity cards available, so really you are “doing good” all round.
The end of year newsletter
I send one newsletter per year! I like to send it in December, and it includes the big news items of the year and also the most popular articles. I have had the conversation with other friends in marketing/PR, and there is a thought that perhaps it is better to send in February, but I disagree – new year, new priorities, new messaging. Finish the year up with all those points you wanted to tell clients throughout the year but may have run out of time, and if any resonate with them, they will think about it when they have the headspace and come back to you.
Party like it is 2019
Say yes to too many Christmas parties and dance the night away. A bit of banter and a good laugh is what the holiday period is about, and it will do wonders for your continued working relationships. Remember, though; you are at work, so don’t drink too many cocktails in the sun. Otherwise, you will be looking after your own crisis comms.
Amanda Lacey, Managing Director, POPCOM Communications
