Now that we’re well into Q4 and heading into the holidays, it’s a great time to get your plan together for your 2019 marketing efforts. Take some time and reflect on what’s worked this year… and then set yourself up to start the new year off stronger than ever. Creating a marketing calendar will make your life easier.

Reflect on successes. As you look at the things that you tried this year, where were your wins? Write these down in a list along with which month(s) that they happened.

Look ahead. Go through each month of the coming and write down which season/holiday/event will be happening. You’ll feel better being more organized about your promotional material and more successful by starting to promote it earlier. Check out this blog on the most popular mini sessions to boost revenue.

Don’t forget to be flexible. While you can’t go wrong having a well-timed plan for the year, remember to be flexible with your marketing plans. Keep an eye on trends and news.

Make technology your friend. Using a social media scheduler to plan out your promotions will make life on your end a lot easier.

Know your finances. It’s important to set a marketing budget for the year and you’ll want to think about how you’re going to allot your dollars for the year (tradeshows, ads, etc.). If you’re offering discounts, make sure to factor in to how they contribute to (or take away from) the bottom line.

Always get smarter. Google Analytics is a great tool to help you track where referral traffic is coming from during your promotions.

Ready to make your business life even easier? Did you know that Iris Works + Booking allows you to streamline a process that lets your clients choose a time on your calendar, sign their contract and pay their deposit all at once. Sign up for your free 14-day trial now and see how we can help you on your way to a happier and more successful business!

Do you use a marketing calendar? What are some of your tips for getting your marketing plan mapped out? Tell us in the comments below!