One Last Mini-Rant Before the Holidays!

"It'll be my luck that when my ship comes in, I'll be at the airport!"
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by Skip Cohen

​It's Marketing Monday, and it's very close to the last few days to do anything that will impact 2024. Yet many of you still act like the train doesn't leave for weeks, and you have all the time in the world. The reality is that you're just about out of time.

There are still a few things you can do to have an impact on what's left of this year and start a little foundation work on 2025!

• Business Expenses: Talk with your accountant first to confirm - but until December 31 at midnight, if there are business expenses you need to make that are deductible, NOW is the time to invest. And with gear, while I usually suggest waiting until closeout sales in January, there are some remarkable deals going on right now.
• Donations: Everyone is always thinking about cash, but what about gear you no longer use? There are so many schools and organizations that need equipment but don't have the budget. Again, check with your accountant to understand what might be tax-deductible.
• Travel Planning: Are you headed to IUSA or WPPI in 2025? Get your hotel and travel reservations if needed, and start to plan a few lunches or dinners with friends and associates. Once at the convention, it's always hard to pull people together - so look at the schedule now and put a few plans in motion.
• Holiday Cards: This is the week to get them in the mail. They should NOT be store-bought cards but your own images. On the back, your logo and contact information should be displayed, just like on a Hallmark card.
• Social Media Updates: Whether it's your website or social media pages, if you have dated material expiring at yearend, then let's get things set up to be up-to-date on January 1!
• Photojournalism: There's so much going on in every community this time of year...and you're a photographer! It's the perfect time to build your own stash of images to share when you're wearing the hat of being your own content creator. 
• Community Involvement: From food banks to soup kitchens to Meals on Wheels and everything in between, every nonprofit needs help this time of year. It's not too late for you to help...and while you're there, add a few photographs of you being involved. They're perfect for posts later in the new year, as well as showing support for some of the events in your community.
• January Events Calendar: One great way to keep involved in your community is to have an events calendar on your website. Being like the old town crier is a role each of you should be playing with the nonprofits in your area. With each event you capture and share, you create an ambassador role for yourself and build a profile that says, "This is my community, and I'm NOT just another retailer!"

Here's my point today - Procrastination is NOT a strategy! You've still got time to tie up a few loose ends and add to your foundation for success in the new year, as well as impact your brand for 2024. But, sit on your ass, and you'll miss the train - it's no fun watching it go by and not knowing when the next one's coming along!