(Before you pull the metaphorical covers over your head, do this list first)
Can you all believe that we approaching the end of the year already? We still have time, and I'm ready to enjoy what each month offers!
HOWEVER ... when it comes to business, I've put together a simple checklist for you to consider.
Whether you’re closing shop completely or simply operating at a reduced capacity, I’ve also included mini checklists in each category so you have some tangible steps to take, and no step gets left behind. Take a look and let me know if there's anything you would add as a business owner!
Disclaimer: not every business needs to do every step—this is simply a guide for you to use what’s helpful and discard the rest 🤓
1. Lock in Black Friday + Christmas Campaigns
And also Cyber Monday.
If these days apply to you, you'll want to prep your website, your marketing roll out, and save yourself the headache of scrambling at the end by getting prepared now, not November!
The trick is to be one step ahead of your clients, so by the time they even begin considering holiday gifts, you’ve got what they’re looking for before they even think of it.
Are you participating in these campaigns?
If the answer is yes, here are some important questions to consider:
What is the offer?
What are the dates?
What channels are involved? (email, website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Youtube, etc)
Have the graphics and content been created yet?
Is your website ready for the campaign?
2. Tell people when you’re open + available
Have you ever had a client email or even text you urgently, wondering where you are and whether or not you can make some final changes on that project or add one more detail before you go home for the holidays? Same here.
Here’s some baseline updates you can make so that all of your clients can rest assured:
A. Google Business
Holiday opening hours
Special closure periods
B. Your Website
Announcement bar / Homepage banner
Updated contact information
Pop-up, if it’s necessary
Holiday hours/closure periods
C. Socials
When you’re closing / reopening
Whether bookings/orders/projects are affected
How people can contact you
D. Email
Set up auto-reply/out-of-office messages
Include expected response time
When you’ll be back
3. Get your systems working while you’re away
Elaborating a bit more on #2, this is where automations and pre-planning can make your months leading up to the holidays—and in turn, your holidays—much more relaxed than midnight replies to your client on Instagram wondering if you saw their email.
These automations and planning ahead can be a holiday life-saver:
Set up automatic email responses
Schedule social content (create your content this month)
Schedule newsletters
Set up booking systems if you don’t have them in place already
Make sure enquiry forms are working so you can reply when you get back
Double check payment/order systems
If you have employees, make sure someone knows what to do if something genuinely urgent comes up
4. Do a quick audit
The end of the year is an ideal time to do a quick audit of existing marketing channels — keep what works/repeat what works/trim any fat/revise strategies for underperforming channels. A bit of less-than-exciting admin can steer your business in a better direction with the new year. This step can be humbling if you’re looking at underperforming numbers and needing to come to terms with potentially unnecessary output. But it’s better to know and shift gears when the new year comes.
What's actually working? What needs changing? These are the places to check:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Email marketing
Website
SEO
Google Business Profile
Paid advertising
Blog/content
5. Don’t forget tiny website details
Continuing from #4, this is where some end-of-year tasks can be forgotten but make a huge difference in how people receive information from your website. Checking tiny details can be a bit of a headache, but we’ve all clicked on a link on our own website only to be redirected to a “404 error page not found”. I had someone point out a social media spelling error recently and I had to recreate the entire post—thanks for the spellcheck, Canva! 😅
Tiny details you’ll want to take a look at:
Update your copyright year (or does it still say 2022??!)
Check opening hours
Check contact information — did you move locations, change phone numbers?
Test contact forms and booking links
Check important buttons/CTAs/all linked content
Are your promotional banners displaying expired offers
Is your homepage advertising something from six months ago
Update any outdated information
6. Celebrate the end of the year with your people
Now for the fun part!! Never underestimate the value of telling your clients or your staff how much you appreciate them. Organise your annual bonuses, your thank you gifts, plan your staff gathering, your appreciative emails, your discount codes for your main supporters, etc. And let the love and appreciation flow!
Here are some ideas that you can offer your appreciated employees and clients:
Client thank-you emails
Christmas cards
Small gifts (discount codes, free offering)
Staff gifts
End-of-year thank-you post
Personalised messages to particularly valuable clients
7. And last but not least... TREAT YOSELF 🍭
Referring to the iconic Parks & Rec scene —>
But really, offer something to yourself for all the hard work and effort put into your business. Even if it's simply taking yourself out for dinner to your favourite spot and enjoying the moment rather than always looking ahead.
You’ve done the campaign planning, tied the loose ends, and squared up your website + socials.
The end of the year arrives whether we are prepared for it or not (but it definitely feels better when we’ve prepared!), so when it arrives, enjoy the fruit of your labor.
Need help from a professional graphic designer?
If it’s time to level up your brand + logo, I’d love to help make it happen. I’m Kayla, an Aussie freelance marketer and graphic designer based in Spain. I work with clients worldwide and finding creative marketing solutions for businesses is my bread and butter. Book a free intro call to see if we align.
