My holiday giving strategy [QTMM 11-21-22]

It involves chocolate! [It involves chocolate!] [View Online Version]( [Marketing Mentor]( [Cyber Monday 2022]( How to be strategic for the holidays Dear Creative Professional, Tis the season -- and this week there will be lots of deals -- including mine! So let's make sure you have a strategy for your holiday giving.  But first, where will you be on Nov. 28th? I hope you'll be with me (and my guests) at the Live Cyber Monday Event on Nov. 28 at 12-1 PM ET. [Sign up here]( (If you've already signed up -- thank you! Consider this a 1-week reminder.)  Who should you give to? It's traditional to use holidays (any holiday really) to look back over the year and thank those who have supported your business, from clients and contractors to referral partners and accountability buddies.  But from a marketing perspective, how 'bout looking forward to the coming year? I recommend giving to anyone you really want to work with, including prospects who haven't hired you -- yet -- but might in 2023.  Sending a card or gift not only brings you top of mind with generosity. It also uses reciprocity, the First Universal Principle of Influence (per Robert Cialdini, author of "Persuasion," a classic must-read, if you haven't already).  "The Principle of Reciprocity is to be the first to give and to ensure that what you give is personalized and unexpected."  What should you give? It's the perfect time to use generosity as a marketing tool -- and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Now more than ever, it is the thought that counts. So a handwritten card with a heartfelt note is often plenty and much appreciated. No need to go all out!  However, if you want to give a gift, keep the budget around US$25-30 per gift. Take the time to make your gift as "personalized and unexpected" as possible. That could mean: - Something special and local to you that can't be found elsewhere - Something made by you or someone you know - A donation to your favorite cause (and "why" you support it) And there's always chocolate! I have given, received and loved all of these: - [Seattle Chocolate Company]( (gives 10% to Girls, Inc.) - [John & Kira's]( (especially their adorable stocking stuffers) - [Missionary Chocolates]( (wow, vegan truffles!) - [Mariebelle]( (just gorgeous!) Another little experiment ([Join us]() I just posted a poll about holiday gift giving -- please add your two cents to this question: Are you planning to give business gifts for the holidays? And if someone has given you something you loved, share it in the comments on LinkedIn. [Take the poll here](.  Where will you be on Cyber Monday? If you want to learn how to fill your pipeline with the best prospects and clients, join me and my long time client, Bob Bly, live on Cyber Monday -- to launch the new Simplest Marketing Plan for 2023. (And yes, it's for you even if you already bought the SMP for 2023 -- new SMP stuff is brewing.) Plus, you'll want to hear how Bob Bly nudges his past clients and prospects to do another project.  [Sign up for the live Cyber Monday SMP launch here.Â](  That's all for today, Ilise Benun Your Marketing Mentor (917) 750-0498  [Listen to the latest episode of the Marketing Mentor Podcast](     Here's How to Avoid Being Ghosted In [Writing a Winning Proposal: Land Your Dream Clients](, you'll learn my proven "Proposal Oreo Strategy" and the 3 most important things about writing a winning proposal: 1. how to identify the right prospects 2. the best practices for writing proposals 3. the 10 essential elements  I also show how to share it with your prospect so they say yes, instead of ghosting you!  "What a gem course. Straight to the point, no embellishments, full of tips, and a wealth of information. Highly recommended."  For a limited time, the course is only US$11.99.Get it here: [( [[ratio] Â](     On the podcast: The Big Idea from the latest Office Hours I start every Office Hours with a big idea and in November it was about embracing the invisible in your business: your invisible audience and your invisible growth. Episode #459 of the Marketing Mentor Podcast]( is a short clip from that live session (plus 2 excellent guest blog posts on this topic! [Listen here]( and learn!     FOLLOW US [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [marketing-mentor.com]( | [View Online]( | [Unsubscribe]([%%20unsub_url%20%]) [Manage]( your preferences | [Opt Out]( using TrueRemove™ Got this as a forward? [Sign up]( to receive our future emails. View this email [online](. 350 Barnard St. | Savannah, GA 31401 US This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book. [powered by emma](