How the holidays affect your business

Yes, tis the season
We have a multitude of holidays from November through New Year's.
Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Zawanza or any other holiday from Thanksgiving until New Year's is a busy time of the year.

If you own your own business you know this can also be the busiest time of the year for you and yet some of you also dread the month of January because it can be the slowest month of the year for you.

It doesn't have to be that way. The manner in which you conduct business in November and December can have a huge effect on how your January goes.

It's sad, but this week I've noticed online that most forums and networks are well...
like a ghost town. Nobody is posting, nobody is networking, nobody is marketing.
WHY?
Oh, because they're busy shopping, baking, gift wrapping.

They don't reply to email inquiries that could generate them sales. I know this first hand, as I've tried to contact numerous people the past week to inquire about services and products and yet not one of them has responded to me. That's not smart business sense because while they may be 'waiting until after the holidays' to work, I'm NOT. I want answers and product and suppliers information now, not later.
If I don't hear from someone, that's their loss...not mine.
I move on and find another company or person to do business with...one that is professional and reliable as well as efficient in communication. Not one who's too busy and can't handle their personal life and their business life.

Does that sound harsh?
perhaps, but how is it myself and a few others I know (like Laurie Ayers for one at http://www.LaurieAyers.com and Scentsy and PrincessFudge.com ) can manage home, kids, holidays and our businesses. And, to top it off we're single and yet manage to get it all done and service our clients efficiently. Even on Christmas Eve day!?!

There are few other "regulars" who still post and network as well but where's everyone else??

Jill McAllister of JillsArtWork.com and TheBowWowBarkery.com is still juggling not only her business, but her husbands and her kids along with holiday preparations.

Shelly Hill of Tupperware and of Classybusinesswomen.com is still busy at home and working her business.

Chris Carroll of DirectSalesTalk.com and Mia Bella is still handling business and holidays

as is Audrey of Tupperware as well

these are just a few of the ones who are still working on marketing and networking during the holidays...

where's everyone else??
The same people who I've contacted and haven't heard from, I can assure you WILL email me AFTER the holidays and by then it'll be too late. They will have lost the sale and future business.

If they had simply answered an email or a phone call, they could've salvaged their business. These will be the same people who sit online in January wondering why they have no business. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that they didn't work their business during the holidays!?

I'm not saying don't take time off to enjoy the holiday, family and friends but in doing so you can still work your business...
if it really is a business and not just a hobby.

food for thought for next year as it's already too late for them this year. While January can be slow for them, the ones who did it all during the holidays will go on with business as usual and have no worries about where their next client came from or what their income will be during January.

Now, that's the way to start the New Year off...making money
and NOT having it be the slowest month of the year.