"Did Someone Say Christmas?"
By Niyi Adeoshun

Yes i just did.
"But the summer has just ended!!" you may be saying.
You're quite right.

You see, shoppers who leave things to the last minute, end up 'buying in panic-mode' which can prove to be jolly costly. The same can be said about sellers who wait too late. So i am here now as your 'alert angel' saying "Be Prepared". Just in case you're not as prepared as you should be right now, here are a few steps you may take to get you on your way.

1. Advertise Your Uniqueness
At this time when all the stores are up in lights and everyone is trying to outshine the others, how do you stand out in your customer's eyes? Find that your uniqueness and 'sell' it. Give shoppers a reason to buy from you at Christmas.

2. Stay in touch with your current customers.
"A bird in hand is better than two in the bush". Send out special offers by e-mail or surface mail to your current customers. Limited-time offers requiring prompt action are the best. If you've been sending regular mail before now (and you should have) indicate that these ones are special for the Christmas season.

3. Provide outstanding service.
I know you think you give good or even great customer service over the course of the year but this is the time to step it up a notch. If shoppers receive very good services from you, they will want to keep coming back.

4. Make buying easy for your customers
Remember that shopper have very short time to wait around your store or website while trying to buy. Give clear directions with as few button-clicks as possible. If yours is a "brick-and-mortar" business, provide a comforting environment that will draw purchasers to your store; this can also play a part in what gifts you highlight and recommend to customers.

5. Do the right advertisements
Advertise in the right place, with the right products to the right people. Rather than wasting money by throwing your advertising all over the place, use your most productive means, define your best customer and then reach them early. Your emails (if you use them) should be concise and to the point. Let them know what you have for them this season, and make your promotions easy to follow up on.

6. The holiday season does not end with Christmas.
Most of us have done it and your customers are bound to do it - buy the 'wrong' gifts for friends and family. You need to be ready also for the post-christmas shoppers. Some people will come to you wanting to exchange their unwanted gifts for something else. Do it for them cheerfully and then offer them the end-of-year or New-Year deals at the same time.

Let your imagination running wild and quickly too. Start early and end later than before.

About the author....
Niyi Adeoshun is the Administrator of http://www.nukanweb.com and the publisher of the Christian Business & Finance newsletter. To subscribe go to http://www.nukanweb.com/newsletter.htm.