jan feb feb mar February Starting this month, you’ll be doing both new activities to build out apr your marketing platform and tasks that leverage the work you’ve done before. Attacking the problem with “combination punches” may is one key to creating surprisingly rapid growth. Send an “opt-in” email to everyone on your mailing list. The tone and specifics will vary based on the realities of your small business and JUn customer base and what you’re trying to accomplish with each email. However, it should always include the following elements: • A sincere “thank you” for being involved or interested in JUl your company. • An announcement that you’ll be sending out company news and special offers each month. • Instructions that explain they only need to ask once to be removed aug from the list, but if they’re still on the list in February, they will receive an exclusive offer. Repair your website in all areas that need to be updated after your sep January audit. Research the charities that are most active and respected in your community. For the best results, use a locally-based charity (think: local food bank). Choose one to three that are linked thematically with what oct your small business does. Spend the week before Valentine’s Day posting one teaser daily about a special you’re running on the day itself. On Valentine’s Day, offer a nov discount for any order placed by those who follow your social media accounts. You can also keep this to specific social channels instead of all of them – whichever account is most important for you to grow. dec continued on next page A YEARLONG GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH 5