Instead of taking the month of January off, or sitting back with the understanding it will be a rough month, do something about it and plan ahead to get your customers back in the door for the New Year.

Spicy new ideas for 2012

Create a New Campaign
If you keep doing the same stuff, you’ll get the same results. Instead, come up with an entirely new idea – something you’ve never done before or have never seen anyone else do in your area.

Give your best clients special treatment
Always treat your best clients better than prospective or new clients. Best clients are those who have brought you the most amount of business or referred you to new clients.

“Special treatment” may include discounted rates or unannounced gifts. You can also offer exclusive services for them. Always make time in your schedule for last-minute requirements from existing clients.

Revive “zombie clients”
Haven’t heard from a past client for some time? Give them a gentle nudge. What about making up a “where have you been” letter, to ask clients why you haven’t heard from them…or ask for feedback. Worth a try

Mark important dates
Send existing clients a birthday card or another gift. While you’re at it, why not include a voucher. Or, you could do something similar on the anniversary of when you first started working together

Ask for referrals
Having a referral system in place can be good for your business. Aside from bringing you new clients, having an existing client refer a prospect to you increases her loyalty to you. You can offer incentives in exchange for referrals, such as a discount on a future project or an outright commission.

If you don’t offer an incentive, always send the referrer a simple, but thoughtful email.

I know, it takes work to keep track of these things. But, these details are what makes you stand out from your competition. You will notice there is a common theme running through these tips. They’re all about making your clients feel special, appreciated and loved. So always ask yourself, “What can I do to show my clients how much I value them?”

Christmas is the season of generosity so this December we are offering THREE fantastic specials so that you can get organised for the New Year. We are offering 40% off A4 3 Panel DLE Premium Brochures, 30% off Regular DLE Rack Cards and 25% off Starmarque Spot UV Business Cards helping you to hit the ground running in 2012.

Merry Christmas from the team at printing.com North Shore and all the best for the New Year!

Every office that you walk into displays a calendar. Both functional and decorative, custom calendars help users manage time and subtly imprints your logo which achieves logo recognition for the future.

Why Calendars? Because calendars are…

Powerful
Indispensable for planning and if designed well they attract attention with compelling themes and or images.

Visible
Your logo and contact details are always on show, never hidden in a drawer or briefcase like a business card is. Your calendar will be gratefully received and displayed.

Frequent
Your brand enjoys continual exposure, seen 365 days of the year, that is alot of beneficial marketing!

Free
Giveaways can be a very effective tool, as everybody loves to get something for free, calendars are just that bit extra special. Plan your calendars now, to give away towards the end of the year.

Practical
Calendars are used on a daily basis. A calendar is the perfect promotional giveaway because it’s something that will make our lives better. Compare calendars to cheap giveaways that break the first time or we only use once!

Calendar Image Collections
Good photography is a must for calendars. At printing.com we offer exclusive calendar image collections available free of charge. Each collection has at least 12 matching images. Or if you are after a truly unique calendar, why not personalise your calendar and include your own photographs or illustrations. Place your logo, address, website and contact numbers in full colour on every page.

Gifting calendars can be done in many ways, consider giving them to current customers, as a way of showing appreciation for their loyalty. Or even potential customers, this is a great way to introduce your business to them. What about your business’s employees? Everyone loves to feel appreciated and calendar gifting is definitely one of the most effective ways to thank people that have been involved in your business.

The bottom line is, when it comes to promotional giveaways, calendars rule the roost! Plan your calendars now and contact us at printing.com North Shore, as next week from the 22nd until the 31 st of August we have 35% off selected calendars.