December The Dreaded Month

21 replies
Hi All,

This is just a general question to see how you all cope with running a business in December?

A large part of my business is b2b emails and although the reply rate increases, these are all out of office emails.

Do you take time off at this time of year or do you try new things?


Merry Christmas All
#december #dreaded #month
  • Profile picture of the author nowservingpixels
    I don't take time off, but I tend to ease off the gas pedal a little. I make sure to double down in October and November to make sure I have enough put aside to get me through the holidays and January, since things tend to be slow in January too (everyone being broke from Christmas shopping, I assume.)

    That being said, it's a great time to create and arrange content to get a jump on the new year.
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  • Profile picture of the author positivenegative
    Originally Posted by walsh259 View Post

    This is just a general question to see how you all cope with running a business in December?
    December is no different to any other month of the year if your business is set up in the right manner. If anything, it should be one of your best months if you approach it right.

    Originally Posted by walsh259 View Post

    A large part of my business is b2b emails and although the reply rate increases, these are all out of office emails.
    You're obviously too dependent on email campaigning. This is not the right approach and there are plenty of other effective methods available these days. It's a sign of your inexperience that you evidently haven't explored these alternative methods fully.

    Originally Posted by walsh259 View Post

    Do you take time off at this time of year or do you try new things?
    Everyone takes time off at Christmas. If they say they don't then they're a liar. The truth of the matter is that if you've set up and established your business in the correct manner then it should be working for you in the background . . . i.e. - earning money while you sleep.

    As for trying new things, why would you need to if you get it right the first time.
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    • Profile picture of the author walsh259
      There are 2 main projects that I am working on one being a web design company which has only been running 2 months, I have managed to get about 10 website projects so far.
      These have been via cold emailing, I am looking into cold calling in the new year.

      The other is running an aviation directory Business 4 Airports – Business 4 Airports
      This again has been cold emails to potential customers offering a pre-launch offer.
      Again, planning to do cold calls in the new year.

      Both of these business models are not really something that can operate by themselves in the background.

      I do also have Near The Pin Golf Tips, Golf Course Reviews, Clubs & Golf Product Reviews, Men's & Woman's Golf, Golf Gear, Golf Laughs & Golf News This is set up for the background approach, however, it only generates around £40-60 per year.

      Not really something that you can live on.

      I appreciate your comments though.



      Originally Posted by positivenegative View Post

      December is no different to any other month of the year if your business is set up in the right manner. If anything, it should be one of your best months if you approach it right.



      You're obviously too dependent on email campaigning. This is not the right approach and there are plenty of other effective methods available these days. It's a sign of your inexperience that you evidently haven't explored these alternative methods fully.



      Everyone takes time off at Christmas. If they say they don't then they're a liar. The truth of the matter is that if you've set up and established your business in the correct manner then it should be working for you in the background . . . i.e. - earning money while you sleep.

      As for trying new things, why would you need to if you get it right the first time.
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      • Profile picture of the author positivenegative
        Originally Posted by walsh259 View Post

        There are 2 main projects that I am working on one being a web design company which has only been running 2 months, I have managed to get about 10 website projects so far.
        These have been via cold emailing, I am looking into cold calling in the new year.

        The other is running an aviation directory Business 4 Airports - Business 4 Airports
        This again has been cold emails to potential customers offering a pre-launch offer.
        Again, planning to do cold calls in the new year.

        Both of these business models are not really something that can operate by themselves in the background.

        I do also have Near The Pin Golf Tips, Golf Course Reviews, Clubs & Golf Product Reviews, Men's & Woman's Golf, Golf Gear, Golf Laughs & Golf News This is set up for the background approach, however, it only generates around £40-60 per year.

        Not really something that you can live on.

        I appreciate your comments though.

        I think we've spoke before and if my memory serves me right, at that time you didn't have the money to implement ideas for generating new business clients to your website, and - more importantly - were quite aloof regarding methods that would have vastly improved your then current structure. So, unfortunately, I've no more to add to this thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author YourBizAid
    Banned
    December is the best month of the year for seasoned marketers. That's when we make the most money and also prepare to settle the IRS.
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  • Profile picture of the author wlasikiewicz
    In December i get my offers ready for jan and so on so I'm always preparing for the month ahead.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joan Altz
    Include a recurring payment aspect to your b2b offerings, and you'll never have to worry about Holidays after you have your client base built up.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    Do you take time off at this time of year or do you try new things?
    The services I promote are needed every day of the year. People pay their subscription in December just like every other month.
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  • December got a big hole in it called REWARD.

    Takes time an' thought to set that hole up jus' right, but you are not alone.

    Stuff gonna tick over, but u gotta STOP, roll over someplace warm, an' mebbe get stuffed yourself.

    If they could figure this back in the days of ploughs an' plagues, we are stoopid if we workaholic ourselves outta treatsville central.
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    Lightin' fuses is for blowin' stuff togethah.

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  • Profile picture of the author Rory Singh
    December is a great month for 'planting' seeds for tomorrows harvest. And you can still make sales this month. People buy all year round online.

    It all depends on your reach.

    If your sales are down because of your niche, that's okay. Just keep planting.
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    • Profile picture of the author svetod
      Originally Posted by Rory Singh View Post

      December is a great month for 'planting' seeds for tomorrows harvest. And you can still make sales this month. People buy all year round online.

      It all depends on your reach.

      If your sales are down because of your niche, that's okay. Just keep planting.
      Great post! Typically December is slow for everyone, unless you don't sale any Christmas gifts, arrange vacations etc... However, the smartest thing you could to is to prepare your campaigns for the the best time of the year which is definitely January and February. Instead of eating and drinking too much, do some hard work and enjoy the benefits later
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Two things...

        In b2b, December is an excellent time to go back to those lukewarm prospects and see if they have budget they need to use before the end of the year. It's the b2b equivalent of all those medical "see us before the end of your plan year" ads.

        That said, the week before Christmas and the last week of the year tend to be dead for many businesses, simple because people are either wrapping up the year, celebrating the holidays, or using up vacation time so they don't lose it. Hence, all those 'out of office' emails.

        Second, I tend to be one of those who uses the end of the year to both evaluate the year just ending and plan for the coming year. So the business I do in December is minimal. I plan ahead for it, so it really isn't a big deal money-wise.
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        • Profile picture of the author Steve B
          In order for December to be a good month, you need to do your homework and plant the seeds in July and August, then build momentum in a planned and deliberate way . . . same as for any other month of the year.

          Many folks shy away from seasonal niches and services . . . or they plan to have other businesses that compensate for the slow months.

          Either way, planning in advance and having a year-round strategy for your sales, campaigns, and marketing has always served me better than shooting from the hip and reacting at the moment to the ebb and flow of sales timing.

          Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    Each niche has its own monthly, weekly, and day of the week cycle. It pays to recognize this and target your promotion in the most effective manner.
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  • Profile picture of the author DWaters
    Most of my online business is my FBA business which makes December just like any retail business - the best month of the year.!
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    Originally Posted by walsh259 View Post

    Hi All,

    This is just a general question to see how you all cope with running a business in December?

    A large part of my business is b2b emails and although the reply rate increases, these are all out of office emails.

    Do you take time off at this time of year or do you try new things?


    Merry Christmas All
    For me, This year, the first two weeks were business as usual
    The last two weeks is very scaled back
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    I didn't track my earnings properly and got hit in December. I had a great month in November with revenue of $24000 and a Ad spend of $8300. In December it was $17500 with an Ad spend of $10000. Things were alright for the first 2 weeks of December then everything fell off a cliff. I didn't cut my Ad spending quickly enough and so must have lost quite a bit of money then. For some reason, it is still bad for me in January.
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    Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

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  • Profile picture of the author chessmasterr
    I think for the majority of marketers, December is tougher month than most. I know that's the case for me. Thank God were into January now and people are eager to get out there to start spending again.
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  • Profile picture of the author Engineer2Blogger
    Pretty much run it the same way! More people will be browsing the net and doing hardly anything at work not to mention christmas shopping.

    For many ecommerce guys, this is the best month
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    • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
      Originally Posted by Engineer2Blogger View Post


      For many ecommerce guys, this is the best month
      I've always noticed this too, my physical product sales typically spike in December, but other stuff tends to drop.. then in January the reverse happens..
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  • Profile picture of the author shaffadell
    Strange, but I have always found January to be rather slow. People low on disposable cash after heavy Christmas spending and working less.
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