Hello Bill, are you OK for our catch-up next week?

Can we leave the catch up until after August, Charlie?

Most of us have had to make adjustments this time of the year. For me, August always seems like the world and his P.A. are on, or planning a holiday. Everyone but me …( just a hint of jealousy) …

I’m lucky to have the freedom of choice nowadays. Being self-employed and working from home, holidays are a choice of convenience. A spontaneous decision.

Someone once told me that ‘we should busy ourselves when we’re busy.’  

Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? There’s bound to be more opportunity in our marketplace during the ‘busy’ season.  Is your business seasonal?

For those who have been trading for a year or so, we’ve learned to reflect on when business is coming our way (or not) and so forecast the time to ‘down tools.’

I do find the holiday season can prove frustrating when you feel like the only one working, here’s how I spend a little time prospecting to fight the frustration during the ‘quiet spell.’

I’ll visit the post office, (remember them?) to purchase a dozen stamps, together with a selection of greetings cards. I’ll send a note to prospects and customers alike, a short note, something like ‘thank you for the business’, or ‘I look forward to catching up upon your return,’ or more appropriate for just now …

‘Look forward to catching up after the August holiday Bill. Is the second week of September good for you?’

‘All very good’ I hear you say. Why though, should we bother to go to such lengths?

Because the holiday provides a welcome a distraction from the business. The personalised note? It’s a distraction from the mundane and it sure beats the email as a stand-out way to confirm the meeting or show appreciation.

It also does the job of keeping our pre-holiday conversation uppermost in mind. It’s something I am happy to do, whilst being different … it does little to harm my reputation.

What say you? Too creepy, salesy?

Some may think so and stick to the messenger or email? I like to think a little extra care is a reflection of how I value my customers … and prospects alike.  

So, how do you show your appreciation. How do you stand out?

Try something new, because people buy from people.