Thoughts on Marketing…

I’m sure it depends upon where you do business, and who your customers are, but if you live in a town like ours, I think it would.

There’s something about colored lights, shiny papers, images of Santa and snowmen, trees, and wrapped packages that act like a magnet for people who love and appreciate the Christmas season. I for one, am a sucker for anything in red and green plaid – I don’t know why, but I always want to buy it.

And the music – While some complain of too much Christmas music because it starts too early and stays too long, most of us don’t mind if the volume isn’t too loud. It sure does set the mood for shopping better than the noise I heard in a “brand-name” bookstore this afternoon. Sheesh! I could hardly stand to stay there long enough to get what I went after. I sure didn’t stay and browse around in search of more gift ideas.

Had I been hearing Jingle Bells or “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” I’d have probably gotten in the mood and stayed until my arms were full of books.  As long as it wasn’t too loud, anyway.

We passed through town tonight after dark, and since I wasn’t driving, I got to look around and see who had lights and who didn’t. I wasn’t thinking about it at the time, but later realized that I had a “warmer” feeling for those businesses who had the Christmas lights going.

Instead of feeling like it was a “marketing ploy” I felt more like it was a gift they were giving to the community.

One time years ago we were managing a grocery store and decided to buy a huge lighted snowflake. It was about 8′ across and when we hung it on the front of the store, it covered up our name. I was amazed at the number of customers who came in and thanked me for that – and noticed that we had covered up our own name in an effort to bring them pleasure.

I know that for many this season is all about religion – or all about rebelling against religion.

But for most people, Christmas has many faces. One of them is pleasure in the decorations. So, I do believe that making the effort at festivity will help draw people to you, and to your business.

Think about it – perhaps you have the kind of customers who would be offended – or perhaps a bit of Christmas cheer would bring in twice as many, and help you gain more new customers.

Yours for prosperity,

Marte

P.S. This is not about marketing – but a friend sent me such a heartwarming email tonight that I posted it on my “Do you love dogs” site… If you love animals, check it out.