Apologies…I’m posting this rather late in the year…but better late than never! I’ve posted a version of this article in the past…but have missed it out for a couple of years.

And that’s kind of a shame. Because…one of the highest payoff activities in marketing is to prepare a marketing calendar. And it’s never too early…or late…to map out a calendar for the coming year 2021.

As well as this article to give you ideas…

…here’s a great post from copywriter Ray Edwards…

“How To Create A One-Page Marketing Plan”.

It’s taken from one of Ray’s regular podcasts, so you can listen along if you wish. Well worth the listen, in fact.

Now, this was originally published w-a-a-a-y back in 2012. So it talks about creating a marketing plan for 2013. However…the principles are pretty much timeless and apply equally to 2021…indeed ANY year.

Here’s the outline of what to do… [Read more…]

2020 is not yet over…we still have Christmas and the New Year to enjoy…

…but it’s not too soon to get started on putting together a marketing calendar for January 2021. So let’s take a look ahead at some of the events, anniversaries and other occasions that we can put to use for an event-driven marketing event or promotion.

Of course, the New Year itself is a great reason for a promotion. At this time, most people are making plans for the year ahead and often looking to make a “fresh start”.

“New Year Sales” are a staple pretty much around the world and no reason why you can’t make use of this.

Looking a little further ahead…

…in 2021 Chinese New Year falls on February 12th (the start of the “Year of the Ox”).

Back to January and other events of note… [Read more…]

Well…Halloween has been and gone…

…and my local stores are now in full-on, 100% Christmas mode!

Not just Christmas promotions either…

…this year everyone seems to have jumped the gun on “Black Friday” and started well ahead of the supposed date on the day after Thanksgiving in the USA! 

So if you haven’t already started planning and preparing for your end-of-year and other holiday promotions…

…there’s no time to lose!

Below, I am republishing a special guest post that has proven very popular since it was originally published some years ago on the “Total Package” site (sadly no longer active).

It’s from Troy White…

…with some great marketing tips that can be applied for other seasonal events, not just Christmas.

Before that…as a starter and useful addition to the main piece…here’s an extract from a post by Ryan Deiss and the folks at DigitalMarketer… [Read more…]

Time to look ahead and consider what’s available to the smart direct response marketer to create…

…a marketing calendar for December 2020.

That is to say, occasions, events and anniversaries that we can use as the building block for marketing campaigns and promotions.

December of course means…

…CHRISTMAS…

…with the NEW YEAR not far behind as a marketing event.

New Year provides a great marketing opportunity for pretty much any business.

Even now in November, it’s not too early to run with the theme…

…”Make 2021 Your Best Year”…

…which can apply to businesses in health, relationships, personal finance and success in general.

In December, New Year’s resolutions will be on people’s mind…

…so this is a fantastic time to promote any kind of personal development product…

…as well as business-oriented offerings.

Remember to plan and launch your New Year promotion well in advance and in good time for January 1.

With Christmas, keep in mind…

…any specific customs in your area.

For example, in Sweden the Yule season starts on December 13 with Santa Lucia Day.

It’s also the December Solstice on December 21 (at 10.02 UT…check the time in your location).

Other significant events in December… [Read more…]

On this Halloween 2020…I’m reposting a piece that I originally published w-a-a-a-y back in 2014. How things have changed in the world since then!

What’s somewhat terrifying however…

…is that many marketers appear not to have heeded these warnings.

That struck me a few weeks back when I wrote “Is Your Advertising Making An Impact?”…

…far too many marketers are wasting far too much money on advertising that does not produce results.

So…to avoid that ghastly fate…read on for some marketing wisdom from beyond the grave…. [Read more…]