Make your business sail this holiday season (guest post)

In today’s entry, I’m going to do a bit of a departure from my normal content post an article with a more general business context. In particular, this article is geared toward the entrepreneurs out there who are thinking of how to ramp up their revenues during the upcoming holiday season.

The article below was contributed by an independent author named Lisa Murphy. In this piece, Lisa provides advice for small business owners on how to kick their businesses into high gear during the holiday season. I’m really happy with what she pulled together here and hope that you will be as well.

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Make your business sail this holiday season

By: Lisa Murphy

Navigating the waters of the business world can be a choppy endeavor, especially in this unsteady economy. The unemployment rate churns like a whirlpool, approximately half of all new businesses sink within the first year, and 90 to 95 percent end up walking themselves down the plank within five years. Although there is no one specific map that must be followed to help your business be the one that succeeds, there are some ways you can ensure the wind hits your sails just right and ups your chances of taking off.

Rapport Opens the Door

Simple touches that show you’re paying attention can make a world of difference. Your clients, customers and associates will trust you so much more if they see a little hint of the human behind the “worker.” Simon Reynolds, a journalist for Forbes Magazine recently sat down with a very successful TV commercial producer and asked for some advice on building strong bonds with contacts, and his advice was simple and effective:

Whenever he emails somebody, he writes just one or two lines about their or his life outside of the business world. He shares a little something personal, perhaps they have common ground, he checks in with their families and updates them on his own. He credits these small acts of outreach with transforming his business. People want to be treated like people, not like marks with dollar signs on their eyes, which is often forgotten in the hustle-bustle of the business world.

Schmooze 3.0

While most of us can’t sit around in sky scrapers and sip scotch whiskey and chain smoke at 8 AM, you should never underestimate the power of the well-tailored schmooze. Most workaholics don’t have time for a leisurely lunch, but maintaining customer and B2B relations is more important than ever.

“People still want to do business with people they like and who make them feel special,” said Robin Jay, the Las Vegas author of “The Art of the Business Lunch.” Face to face contact is crucial for standing out, anything that moves beyond text or email.

Depending on the taste and schedule of your clients, you can use any small block of time to take them somewhere special or pertinent- anywhere from the movies to a casino. He also notes that places with exclusive membership are a great way to make a client feel special.

Little Touches & Follow Ups

To finish up with the ultimate seal of client approval, make your business blaze like the north star with a simple holiday card, easily acquired at places like Minted.com. A non-denominational, elegant way to wish them well, stand out, and allow them to recall your graciousness and attentiveness to their needs.

A simple, hand-written message, (don’t use labels, even for the address) without a preprinted signature on the bottom simply makes people feel good. Make sure the message is short but personal and appreciative. Don’t mention anything business related in the card, as it’s just you reaching out person to person. So few people take the time, so send Holiday wishes the old fashioned way, that when they do they’re cherished and remembered, which can go a long way in terms of exclusive invites, sales and building a better business.

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After 23 years running her own cleaning and maid service company, serving on the board of directors for her local chamber of commerce and sending the last of her children to college, Lisa and her husband bought a condo in Florida, where she dabbles in blogging and publishing.