September expired last week…

And summer has bid adieu. Meanwhile October is here. And fall has officially arrived.
All of which means we’re kicking off the 4th quarter. The last gasp of the 2015 fiscal year.
For many business owners, likely you included, the 4th quarter is a tale of two polar opposites…

Finishing the Year Strong

On one hand, the 4th quarter is your last chance to finish the year STRONG.
It’s your final opportunity to… Generate new business. Close outstanding deals. Tackle remaining projects slated for 2015. And generally clear the decks for a prosperous and productive 2016.

Holiday Season Time Constraints

On the other hand, the holiday season is upon us… It’s nearly Halloween, which gives way to Thanksgiving, quickly followed by Christmas (or whatever your particular holiday flavor might be) and finally New Year’s.
It all comes fast and furious, with heaps of demands and loads of family time. Suddenly, holidays seemingly outnumber actual work days.

Developing The Marketing Habit

At the outside of 2015, I published a post recommending you eschew the typical New Year’s resolution approach. Instead of setting “goals,” focus on developing habits.

Your Daily Marketing Appointment

To quickly recap, I advised setting a marketing appointment in your daily schedule. A reoccurring block of time specifically dedicated to marketing.
Then with your daily appointment in place, creating a slate of marketing projects that you chip away at little-by-little, day-by-day. And by following this daily schedule, you’re in position to complete a handful of marketing projects each quarter. So rather than setting monolithic goals, which are likely to fall be the wayside, you develop the marketing habit.

Did you take my advice?

If so, what’s left for the 4th quarter?

• Did you update your website to reflect the current state of your business (or just fresh up the look and feel)?
• Have you launched or update your social media platforms?
• Have you Google yourself to determine your “digital footprint” across the web? And crafted a profile that accurately reflects the current state of your business, and appears consistently across the interwebs?
• Have you launched email or direct marketing campaigns?
• Have you developed a follow up strategy to (1) stay in touch with past clients and foster repeat business, and (2) keep up with prospects to generate new business?

And if you didn’t follow my advice…

How has your year shaped up? What’s the prognosis for the 4th quarter?

Important Questions for Business Growth

Regardless of your approach, getting your marketing organized is key to growing your business.
So what worked for you this year, what didn’t, and why? Swing by my Google+ page and share your thoughts.