November has a cornucopia of special days to use for your marketing promotions. Don’t call me a sourpuss but I’m liking National Pickle Day on November 14th! Or make your whole month healthy with November being National Vegan month. I’m partial to all the dessert days with my killer sweet tooth. How about you? Which days will you use to promote your business?

Week 1

November 1 National Vinegar Day
November 2 National Deviled Egg Day
November 3 National Sandwich Day
November 4 National Candy Day – Everyday is candy day for me!
November 5 National Doughnut Day
November 6 National Nachos Day
November 7 National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

Week 2

November 8 Celebrate National Raisin Bread Day
November 9 Celebrate National Vegan Month
November 10 National Vanilla Cupcake Day – I have an easy frosting recipe!
November 11 National Sundae Day
November 12 National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
November 13 National Indian Pudding Day
November 14 National Pickle Day – Love crunchy dill pickles!

Week 3

November 15 National Raisin Bran Cereal Day
November 16 Celebrate National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month – Crunchy or smooth?
November 17 National Homemade Bread Day – I have a great beer bread recipe.
November 18 Celebrate National Georgia Pecan Month
November 19 Celebrate National Pepper Month
November 20 National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
November 21 National Gingerbread Day – Have a Gingerbread house contest.

Week 4

November 22 National Cashew Day – Tasty nut. Mail small bags to your clients!
November 23 National Eat a Cranberry Day – I like cranberry juice and dressing!
November 24 National Sardines Day
November 25 National Parfait Day
November 26 National Cake Day
November 27 National Bavarian Cream Pie Day
November 28 National French Toast Day

Week 5

November 29 National Lemon Cream Pie Day
November 30 National Mousse Day

Use your marketing promotions to celebrate:

National Chili Month
National Apple Month
National Popcorn Popping Month
National Pretzel Month
National Seafood Month
National Pork Month

There are food choices for every type of business. Make your promotions healthy fun or guilty pleasures! I’m thinking Chili Cook Offs or have your customers create recipes for apple desserts and use Facebook and Twitter to promote the events.

Pretzels are easily shipped and you can mail them out to prospects with recipes for chocolate dipped pretzels.

October being National Pork Month sounds like its time for a Luau for your customers. Or have a clam bake or shrimp cocktail available for a customer appreciation day.

Let me know what you decide to do for your October marketing promotions.

Week 1

October 1 World Vegetarian Day – All healthy businesses can do something on this day!
October 2 National Fried Scallops Day
October 3 National Caramel Custard Day

Week 2

October 4 National Taco Day
October 5 National Apple Betty Day
October 6 National Noodle Day
October 7 National Frappe Day
October 8 Celebrate National Chili Month
October 9 Celebrate National Apple Month
October 10 National Angel Food Cake Day

Week 3

October 11 World Egg Day
October 12 Celebrate National Popcorn Popping Month
October 13 National Yorkshire Pudding Day
October 14 Celebrate National Pretzel Month – Love ‘em! Send bags to your clients
October 15 National Chicken Cacciatore Day
October 16 Celebrate National Seafood Month
October 17 National Pasta Day

Week 4

October 18 National Chocolate Cupcake Day – Sprinkles strawberry cupcakes and strawberry frosting is fabulous! Bake some for you best clients.
October 19 National Seafood Bisque Day
October 20 Celebrate National Pork Month
October 21 National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
October 22 National Nut Day – Send your clients packages of nut mixes.
October 23 National Boston Cream Pie Day
October 24 National Bologna Day

Week 5

October 25 National Greasy Foods Day
October 26 National Mincemeat Pie Day
October 27 National Potato Day
October 28 National Chocolate Day – Gotta love this one! Send boxes of chocolate out to show your client’s you appreciate them.
October 29 National Oatmeal Day
October 30 National Candy Corn Day
October 31 National Candy Apple Day – Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory has yummy ones in a variety of flavors.

I’m digging National Guacamole Day on September 16th. Have a customer appreciation fiesta. Bring out the tortilla chips.

I’m curious about National Blueberry Popsicle Day on September 2nd. I’ve never tried a blueberry popsicle. Sounds yummy, but who makes them?

What marketing ideas can you come up with all the fun themes below? I’m thinking National Potato Month has endless marketing potential. Mail out potato chips to your customers and have a special potato themed sale in your business. Maybe even have someone dressed up in a potato costume!

Week 1

September 1 National Cherry Popover Day
September 2 National Blueberry Popsicle Day – I’ve never had one! You?
September 3 Celebrate National Potato Month
September 4 National Macadamia Nut Day
September 5 National Cheese Pizza Day

Week 2

September 6 Celebrate National Rice Month
September 7 National Acorn Squash Day
September 8 National Date Nut Bread Day
September 9 National Weiner Schnitzel Day
September 10 National TV Dinner Day
September 11 National Hot Cross Bun Day
September 12 National Chocolate Milkshake Day

Week 3

September 13 National Peanut Day
September 14 National Cream Filled Donut Day – Yummy!
September 16 National Guacamole Day – Add tortilla chips and you’ve got a party!
September 17 National Apple Dumpling Day
September 18 National Cheeseburger Day
September 19 National Butterscotch Pudding Day

Week 4

September 20 Celebrate National Biscuit Month
September 21 National Pecan Cookie Day
September 22 National Ice Cream Cone Day
September 23 National White Chocolate Day
September 24 National Cherries Jubilee Day
September 25 National Crabmeat Newburg Day
September 26 National Pancake Day – Bring on the Maple Syrup!

Week 5

September 27 National Chocolate Milk Day
September 28 National Strawberry Cream Pie Day
September 29 National Linguini Day
September 30 Celebrate National Chicken Month

Instead of using the interview to showcase their firm’s work, build their brand as the innovative start-up he was terse and unusually modest. Draper expected his work – the TV commercials for Glo-Coat. It didn’t and he came out sounding like a jerk in the reporter’s article which required damage control.

Think your products or services will build your brand for you? Not entirely. You will have to do some branding work yourself. People like to know the person behind the business, product or service. Share your story. Explain why you offer something so great they need to do business with you.

Draper came back with the real story about how he came up with the idea to create SCDP and gave great visuals “I holstered my guns” and his company’s back story came alive for the reporter and soon the readership of the Wall Street Journal. Now SCDP (Sterling Cooper Draper Price) sounds like the company to go to for modern, edgy advertising.

What are you doing to get your brand known? Need some motivational music while you think about your branding campaign? Listen to the song that played in the background as Don Draper built up the SCDP brand during the WSJ interview:

I’m curious what marketing promotion you can do for National Zucchini Day? I’m thinking something for Farmer’s Markets and organic grocers and maybe restaurants.

National Root Beer Float Day sounds like a fun family oriented marketing event. Invite your best customers and their families to your business for Root Bear Floats on August 6th! August 16th is National Bratwurst Day. I’m thinking a Bratwurst eating contest could promote your business.

In the heat of August National Lemonade Day on August 20th sounds like a refreshing way to show your clients how much you appreciate them. I’m visualizing lemon yellow flyers offering free lemonade during a special sale event. I could use some lemonade now. I’m thirsty.

Week 1
August 1 National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
August 2 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day – Great for a summer day!
August 3 National Watermelon Day – Give out slices to your customers.
August 4 National Lasagna Day – If you have a special dinner for top clients.
August 5 National Mustard Day
August 6 National Root Beer Float Day – Yummy!
August 7 National Raspberries in Cream Day
August 8 National Zucchini Day

Week 2

August 9 National Rice Pudding Day
August 10 National S’mores Day
August 11 National Raspberry Tart Day
August 12 National Julienne Fries Day
August 13 National Filet Mignon Day
August 14 National Creamsicle Day – I like the Raspberry sherbet flavor.
August 15 National Lemon Meringue Pie Day

Week 3

August 16 National Bratwurst Day
August 17 National Vanilla Custard Day
August 18 National Soft Ice Cream Day
August 19 National Potato Day
August 20 National Lemonade Day – Drinks for your visiting clients.
August 21 National Pecan Torte Day
August 22 National Eat a Peach Day

Week 4

August 23 National Sponge Cake Day
August 24 National Peach Pie Day
August 25 National Spumoni Day
August 26 National Cherry Popsicle Day – My favorite when I was a child!
August 27 National Banana Lovers Day
August 28 National Cherry Turnover Day
August 29 National More Herbs, Less Salt Day – For health related businesses!
August 30 National Toasted Marshmallow Day – Fun for kids!
August 31 National Trail Mix Day

Make sure yours isn’t one of them: Daily Sucker

Here’s another fun idea. Send out a mailer on National Lollipop Day on July 20th with really lollipops attached. Offer a discount if they bring in the lollipop to your business and make a purchase.

On National Junk Food Day, July 21st you can have clients come in with a package of junk food they can trade for healthy snacks if your business is health or fitness related. Or offer a discount to sign up for a gym membership or diet program on Junk Food Day.

Week 1

July 1 National Gingersnap Day – I love gingersnaps. Give out to best clients.
July 3 Eat Beans Day – You might want to hand out air fresheners.
July 4 National Cesar Salad Day

Week 2

July 5 National Apple Turnover Day
July 6 National Fried Chicken Day – My Grandma makes the best!
July 7 National Strawberry Sundae Day
July 8 National Chocolate with Almonds Day – Send out boxes to customers.
July 9 National Sugar Cookie Day
July 10 National Pina Colada Day – You can serve non-alcoholic ones.
July 11 National Blueberry Muffin Day

Week 3

July 12 National Pecan Pie Day
July 13 National French Fries Day – My guilty pleasure!
July 14 National Macaroni Day – Mail out boxes as a marketing promo.
July 15 National Tapioca Pudding Day
July 16 National Corn Fritters Day
July 17 National Peach Ice Cream Day
July 18 National Caviar Day – For those targeting Luxury market.

Week 4

July 19 Celebrate Ice Cream Month – Just in time for summer!
July 20 National Lollipop Day
July 21 National Junk Food Day – Oh no a whole day? I love junk food!
July 22 National Penuche Fudge Day
July 23 National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
July 24 Celebrate National Baked Bean Month
July 25 National Hot Fudge Sundae Day

Week 5

July 27 National Creme Brule Day
July 28 National Milk Chocolate Day
July 30 National Cheese Cake Day – Send out gift certificates for Cheese Cake!
July 31 Jump For Jelly Beans Day – I wonder if Jelly Belly will do something on this day.

I had my car smog checked a few weeks ago. When I got ready to pay I was given a list of things that needed fixing on my car. This was a surprise to me because a few months ago when I had work done there were no problems. I was told I needed my brake fluid changed, my alignment done, new spark plugs, a new brake light, a new license plate tag light and a few other things. I was puzzled and suspicious especially when I wasn’t given an estimate of prices to make the repairs.

Oh, let me say I went to this new place after the business I had been to a few months ago closed down and had their phone number forwarded to the new place. I was shocked that an automotive repair shop that had been open for years closed suddenly and with no notice to customers. I hadn’t received a postcard, letter, email or phone call that my repair shop was no longer going to be servicing my car.

Hmm, poor marketing could be a huge reason why it went out of business. I also hadn’t received a time to get your oil changed notice and my car was overdue for an oil change. Another failure to communicate with customers. In the past I’ve received repeated postcards from places for months that I only went to once and didn’t like their service and so never went back. Yet this place that I liked, didn’t keep up any continued contact about regular maintenance on my car.

Maybe I should’ve noticed this before hand but I hate getting my car serviced so I don’t think about it unless I have to travel out of town then I start thinking of checking out my car. I don’t want to end up stranded somewhere because I failed to get my car checked out. I have friends who’ve had that happen and then been at the mercy of out-of-town auto repair shops.

This new shop sent me a thank you card which I thought was good follow-up and then I got a letter about the supposed needed repairs. Again with no cost estimate enclosed which aroused my suspicions again. I also got a coupon for what seemed like outrages prices for an oil change and tune up.

I decided to ask a friend who worked as a Fleet supervisor about this list of repairs. After explaining the list he gave a derisive laugh and said I likely didn’t need any of those things done and to see a mechanic of his recommendation.

He told me it sounded like this auto repair shop where I had the smog check done at was trying to make some easy money off me. I didn’t like that at ALL! I called the first shop he told me about and scheduled an oil change. I figured this should tell me what problems I really have by seeing someone new.

At this shop I mentioned up front my car shimmies at higher speeds. Immediately the manager said I needed my wheels balanced and recommended a local tire store to do the work. I noticed he didn’t say I needed my wheels aligned and was willing to refer me to another business whose niche was tires and balancing tires, etc. I was happy to be doing business with the shop already and they hadn’t even started working on my car!

When I came back to pick up my car I found out the only new problem was the replacement of the license plate tag light which cost me all of $1.94. Who knows what the nefarious smog check place would’ve charged me for it. I even asked if anything else was wrong with my car. I was told it was in good working order and reminded to have the balance done at the tire shop.

Wow! What a huge difference. An honest mechanic willing to refer me to other businesses. This was even better than frequent mailers. I could trust this business to take care of my car and not over charge me. They may not know it but they have a customer for life. Finding a mechanic you can trust is vital especially for a woman.

In the past I’ve had auto repair shops try to rip me off because I’m a woman and not very car savvy. One thing they didn’t realize is I have male friends that I ask questions before getting new repairs done. That has saved me hundreds maybe even thousands of dollars. Plus I keep all my repair receipts so if some dishonest mechanic tries to sell me a repair I’ve already had done I can point it out and save myself money. And let me tell you it has happened more than once over the years!

Don’t business people realize the fastest way to lose a customer is to rip her off? And the quickest way to get a lifetime customer is to be honest and trustworthy? This is especially important when marketing to women. Women value relationships and trust is vital in relationships.

Cheat me out of even a nickel one time and you’ll never see me again. Be honest and I’ll do business with you for years and years.

Oh and I went to the tire shop and since I had purchased tires there before they balanced my tires for free. Now my car drives smooth like frosting on a cake! Sweet!

June 3rd National Donut Day

June is full of delicious days to use for your marketing promotions. As a major candy addict I love National Candy Month. Your direct mailers can be sent out with a variety of candy that ties into your marketing promotion. I like using Smarties candies for smart business people.

I do enjoy the natural sweetness of fruit so National Papaya Month and Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month are healthy marketing options.

Monthly Campaign Topics:

National Candy Month
National Dairy Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
National Iced Tea Month
National Papaya Month

Week 1

June 1 National Hazelnut Cake Day
June 2 National Rocky Road Day
June 3 Donut Day (1st weekend in June)
June 3 National Chocolate Macaroon Day
June 5 National Gingerbread Day
June 6 National Applesauce Cake Day

Week 2

June 7 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
June 9 National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day
June 11 National German Chocolate Cake Day
June 12 National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
June 13 Kitchen Klutzes of America Day

Week 3

June 14 National Strawberry Shortcake Day
June 16 National Fudge Day
June 17 National Apple Strudel Day
June 17 National Cherry Tart Day

Week 4

June 21 National Peaches & Cream Day
June 22 National Chocolate Eclair Day
June 23 National Pecan Sandies Day
June 24 National Pralines Day
June 25 National Strawberry Parfait Day
June 26 National Chocolate Pudding Day
June 29 National Almond Buttercrunch Day

Leaving information off your business card hurts your credibility. It made me wonder what these people were hiding. And I wondered how much they could really know about their industry or if they were even a real business.

The cards lacking the most info I tossed. How could they be worth my time if they didn’t really want me to get in touch by leaving off valuable contact information on the business card?

Red flag problems I noticed:

No website – Seriously in this day and age you don’t have even a one page website? Especially if your business is internet related? What kind of scam are you running? People often like to check out your website before doing business with you. It gives them an idea if you will be compatible for business.

No physical address – Get a post office box if you’re a home based business and don’t want people to have your home address. Without an address listed how can I find your business or write to you? If your customers feel comfortable sending mail and you have no address on your business card there goes a chance to get a new customer. One that was really bizarre was the card with a city, state and zip code but no street address. What was that about?

No zip code – You gave me your card and wanted to be mailed information. Putting your street, city and state but no zip code is just lazy. Are you being charged by the letter for printing your business cards? If you make your prospect go the extra mile to have to look up a zip code, goodbye new sale, your business card may go straight into the recycle bin.

No email – If your prospect wants to email you with questions before doing business with you, you just lost a sale. Not many people are going to hunt around for your email address on your website. They’ll just move on to your competition. At least get a free Gmail address using your business name if you don’t have a website.

Remember to use your business card as an advertisement and put all contact information on it. Don’t give prospects a reason to move on another business because they couldn’t reach you in a way that made them comfortable.

No one is asking you for personal information on your card. It’s a business card use it to promote your business and catch all the prospects you can with it.