It’s amazing how quickly 2009 has come to an end. Now is the perfect opportunity for you to take a look at your business in detail and set goals for the New Year.

A mental checklist is a great start, but it is simply not enough. It is vital that you write your business goals down and follow up throughout the year to make sure you are staying on track.

After you have written your business goals down on paper, make sure you keep them in a place where they are visible to you on a regular basis. It’s easy to get sidetracked with the daily grind, so tell your friends, family and colleagues about your goals and encourage them to be continuous motivators when they see you begin to sway from your objectives.

Make sure you are setting goals that are realistically within your reach. Stay passionate, but don’t overwhelm yourself. Make small plans that are stepping stones off of one another. When you’ve climbed to the final step on your list, you will see that you have accomplished more than if you tried to do it all at once. You will have also saved yourself from Burnout Syndrome.

Both personally and professionally, life throws us curveballs so we have to be prepared to make necessary changes. If this happens, don’t get discouraged and chuck the list into the garbage. Simply review and modify your goals as needed, brush your shoulders off and keep pushing forward.

Stay devoted with your business goals by giving yourself a small reward each time you successfully check something off of your list. If you have colleagues or employees helping you achieve those goals, make sure you give them an incentive as well. It’s a great motivator that will encourage you to complete your entire list before the end of the year.

If you need a new business plan for the New Year but aren’t sure where to start, contact us for a free consultation. We’d love to work with you in 2010!

~Linda

Then get your website analytics in real time!

Clicky is a competitive web analytics package that, unlike Google Analytics, allows you to view your website data without a time delay.

There is an ad-supported free version which is recommended if you simply want to use the service to track traffic instantly, but  Pro Version Packages are also available with many other features:

• Name and filter visitors based on IP address
• Track file downloads and outbound links
• Visitor hostnames and organizations
• Twitter Analytics
• Private links to securely share stats with others
• …and more

With the holiday season in full swing, it is important to remember clients and customers who have helped your business grow over the last year. It is also a great time of year to get your business presence known by creating strategies for obtaining new clients and customers.

Here is a list of some ideas:

• Send a holiday card thanking existing clients and customers for their business. Include an offer or a special discount inside the card to continue receiving their business in the New Year.
• Give a gift to your clients and customers. It can be anything from a desktop calendar to coffee cups, shirts or stationery. Make sure you leave your brand on the gift so that they have your trusted name on their minds throughout the year.
• During a tough economy, many holiday shoppers are wise spending their hard-earned money. They are always on the lookout for the best deals so offer discounts or coupons. It will help you gain exposure of your company, attract new clients and customers, and keep your existing clientele loyal to the services and products you provide.
• Direct mail marketing during the holiday season is a wise move. People are always in search of great gift ideas and if you create a well-built message along with a strong discount or offer, you will not only increase traffic to your store or website, but you will also have a higher sales volume during the holiday season.
• During this time of year, there are several events and gatherings taking place in your own community. Reach out and introduce yourself and your company locally by handing out business cards, coupons and brochures. Let your community know you are there for them. It’s a great way to connect with others and a personal touch goes a long way in receiving repeat business.

Thank your new and existing clients and customers with how much you value your relationship with them. It will show your commitment and dedication, and it will be returned to you throughout the year.

Don’t rub your eyes…

www.lindabraun.com has finally received a long awaited and much needed rejuvenation!

New features and services have been added and I welcome you to have a look around!

• Website Design
• Graphic Design
• Internet Marketing
• Hosting
• Full-Color Printing Services

I’ve been fortunate enough in 2009 to meet some great, talented people who will soon become a very important part of this site. They will be assisting me with your design and marketing needs and we look forward to a wonderful 2010 together.

As a thank you for patiently waiting for the new site to go live, I am offering the following promotion:

PROMOTION HAS ENDED. THANK YOU!

To ensure timely print turnaround and delivery for the holiday season, this offer will end midnight, December 7, 2009 (EST).

If you have any questions at all, I’m always an email away.

Warmest wishes to you and yours this Thanksgiving,

~Linda

P.S. Share the news with friends and family by clicking on and adding this post to one of the social media sites below! Thanks!