PaperDirect Blog PaperDirect Blog

September 27, 2016

It’s Already Q4! Where to Spend Your Time & Money

Filed under: Business Marketing Ideas — PDWriter @ 9:13 am

Seriously, where did 2016 go? 

Time & Money

It seems like the year just began but actually, 2017 is rapidly approaching and the fourth quarter is in full swing. This period is a crucial time of year for small businesses, ripe with opportunities to set goals, improve sales, and communicate with your clients.

During the fourth quarter, a small business should focus their efforts, time, and budget in the following areas.

Complete Projects

It’s been a busy year, so some projects were moved to the back burner. Now is the time to make these projects a priority. Look back to the end of 2015 to determine what initiatives you wanted to complete this year, and get them done now.

Start 2017 with a clean slate, without old projects looming over your head. You don’t want to begin a new year, trying to catch up with projects you thought of over 12 months ago.

Try New Sales Strategies

The fourth quarter is also an excellent time to review your sales team’s work and empower these employees to try new strategies to increase profit for your small business. Pull your sales staff into a brainstorming session to consider different methods for securing new business from existing clients as well as reaching out to potential leads.

Think Snapchat, Facebook advertising, new email subject lines–anything that you can test during the busy season ahead.

Also, consider ways to bundle products and/or services to make it easier for your sales team to sell more at once.

Build Marketing Momentum

The holiday season is right around the corner, which is the perfect time to enact new marketing initiatives, from social media outreach to paid search campaigns. A

Allocate some of your fourth quarter budget to engaging new customers and loyal clients with creative marketing techniques, both traditional and digital. Consider everything from new banners and signage to an Instagram photo contest to reach your audience during the end of the year.

Set Goals

Work with department heads, each team, and individual employees to determine the best direction for your small business in 2017. End the year with a clear plan for the goals you want to accomplish so you are ready to go come January 1.

While you are setting end of year goals, reflect on areas where your business could improve by learning from missed opportunities and unfortunate mistakes made throughout 2016. Set goals that require your small business staff to strive for the best while still being realistic and attainable. You don’t want the goals you set to discourage your employees.  

Have a great Q4 by planning and executing properly. See you in 2017 when the dust has settled!

September 21, 2016

When to Start Planning Your Holiday Party. Hint: Soon!

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , , , — PDWriter @ 1:47 pm
Party Santa

A holiday party might seem like a simple-enough event to organize. However, those with experience planning a company-wide holiday party know it is no easy feat to host a successful yuletide gathering. For those new to holiday party planning, or those who are looking to make the process easier than years past, use this timeline and tips to put together a memorable, spectacular, and festive soiree.

Three Months Before the Party

Confirm Party Budget

Meet with key decision makers to set a budget for your event. Without knowing your budget, it’s impossible to make the necessary arrangements for this event.

Visit Potential Venues

Start exploring your venue options. This will help you ascertain the feel or mood for the party, thus allowing you to start planning the smaller details of the event.

Two Months Before the Party

Book the Venue

You’ve had some time to consider what this year’s holiday party will look and feel like, so now it’s time to commit to a party locale.

Compare Vendors

You’ve booked the party venue. It’s time to start researching caterers, decorators, and entertainers.

Develop the Holiday Party’s Theme

Share the information you’ve found along with the broad party details with the company’s decision makers to ensure you’re on track with this project.

6 Weeks Before the Party

cute-christmas1

Send “Save the Date” Notices

Make sure the entire staff has marked the date on their calendars for the company holiday party. It might seem like too far in advance to send a “Save the Date” for a holiday party but this season is one of the busiest of the year. Before you know it, people are booked solid during the month of December and because you sent out a late “Save the Date”, half the company’s workforce has other holiday events to attend instead of yours.

Tastings

Work with caterers or possible venues so you can decide who will create the food for the holiday party. Food=fun!

Consider Hotels Near the Venue

Contact nearby hotels about group rates so you can encourage staff members to really enjoy the evening without anyone finding themselves in a drunk driving situation.

1 Month Before the Party

Send Out Invitations

Formally invite all staff members to the holiday party. Include RSVP, dress code, themes, who is invited (significant others, kids), location details, nearby hotel accommodations, and other relevant information.

Merry Christmas
Connect Vendors with Venue

It’s time to connect the dots for your holiday party. Make sure each vendor is in contact with the venue so they coordinate times and any necessary deliveries.

Confirm Details

Contact vendors and the venue to double check that everything is on track. From the appetizers to music, the servers to the holiday-themed decorations, you want to confirm that all of the arrangements you’ve worked so hard to put together are in order for the party.

Send RSVP Reminders

Contact party invitees who have not yet responded to the invitation to confirm their plans.

Three Weeks Before the Party

Create Supply List

You want to make sure there are disposable cameras on all of the tables. Or maybe you’re handing out goody bags at the end of the event. Take the time to make a list of the odds and ends you are responsible for getting to the venue. You’ll find you are using this list up to the day of the event.

One Week Before the Party

Send Party Reminders

Include all of the information from the invitation, except for the RSVP details so everyone knows where to go and when.

Confirm Schedule with Vendors and Venue

This is the final pre-party check-in before the big day. Go over every detail with a fine-toothed comb to save yourself a headache on the day of the party.

The Day of the Party….

Have fun! You might need to connect with vendors and the venue for any last minute details but on the day of the party, it’s time for you to kick back and enjoy yourself with your co-workers.

Following the party, you want to share photos and send a feedback survey to see where your party succeeded and where it might have fallen short. This is also the time to reconcile the party budget. While it can be stressful to plan a holiday party for a business, your hard work will be appreciated by everyone in attendance.

September 15, 2016

Small Business Saturday Promotion Ideas: Online

Filed under: Marketing & Sales Promotion Techniques,Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 9:57 am

small business saturday online promotion

Targeting a local audience with your Small Business Saturday promotion ideas can definitely happen in person and in your shop. But it can also happen online. With a few keen strategies and a bit of advance planning, you can reach a wide audience of local folks with a few clicks of the mouse.

OK, online Small Business Saturday promotion ideas may take more than a few mouse clicks. But your online efforts can reap huge rewards if you do it right.

Social Media

If your business doesn’t have social media accounts on the top channels, create them now. Right now. Most businesses of any size frequent the most popular channels, with company pages or accounts on at least the big three:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

You can kick off your online Small Business Saturday promotion ideas by simply posting announcements that you’ll be participating in the event. List the exact date of the Saturday following Thanksgiving, the times your business will be open, and any details on the specials you’ll be running.

Joining like-minded groups on social media can also help advance your brand – and perhaps even drum up a few other local shops to join in the SBS celebration. Seek out groups based on location, or go for common services, products, interests or industries.

Boost awareness of the event even further with paid social media advertising, with ads that let you select the location of your target audience. Instead of setting up an ad that can be seen by everyone, you can choose who sees the ad by zip code or even by a select radius directly surrounding your business. Location-based targeting options are available for ads on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Email

Email is another way to drum up awareness and business with Small Business Saturday promotion ideas. Strategic SBS announcements, downloadable coupons, alluring marketing messages, and even incentives to come on down can help bring business into your shop. But first, of course, you need to have a mailing list.

Growing your email list can be done by:

  • Having an opt-in form on your website and social media pages
  • Asking in-person shoppers to sign up when they’re at the register
  • Having a sign-up list in your shop

Your next step is to craft an email with a distinct goal, which would be driving folks to your shop on Small Business Saturday. Effective emails will speak directly to the customers you’re targeting with language they use, a hook that will grab them, and a delivery time when they’re most likely to open and read it.

Effective emails also contain:

  • Compelling subject line
  • Header with your brand
  • Personalized greeting
  • Short, easy-to-scan body copy that backs up subject line
  • Call to action that tells them what you want them to do
  • Social share buttons so they can easily share with their social media pals
  • Unsubscribe button so they can easily opt-out if desired

While you’re online revving up your emails and social media pages, don’t forget to write about your Small Business Saturday celebration on your blog – before and after the event. Taking photos at the event can also make for a fun post that showcases your business as well as locals who came by to support it on SBS.

September 2, 2016

5 Thanksgiving Holiday Cards we Love

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — PDWriter @ 11:09 am

While Thanksgiving isn’t the most popular time to send a greeting card, it can be a great time to stand out among vendors or other businesses. Showing thanks and sending gratitude is easy; all you need is a simple card and a thoughtful message inside.

If you’re on the prowl for Thanksgiving holiday cards, let us assist you. Here are our favorite designs for 2016!

Thanksgiving Tree Holiday Card

Thanksgiving Tree Card

Buy a 25 pack of this design here.

Thanksgiving Wreath Foil Card

Thanksgiving Wreath Foil Card

Buy a 25 pack of this design here.

Thanksgiving Screen Cards

Thanksgiving Screen card

Buy a 25 pack of this design here.

Thanksgiving Leaves Card

Thanksgiving Leaves Card

Buy a 25 pack of this design here.

Swirls of Autumn Note Cards

Swirls thanksgiving Note Cards

Buy a 10 pack of this design here.

Each of the above designs comes with foil-lined or regular envelopes. You can also create a pre-printed message inside each card- saving your hand long hours of writing.

Stand out this holiday season and be top of mind come December. Sending a Thanksgiving card is the simplest way of doing just that!

Powered by WordPress