On Becoming Poised: Independence Day
There’s something gratifying about being poised.
Next week, you’ll want to start posting your holiday hours for the 4th of July. If you create your door signs today, you’ll be poised when it’s time to implement the message.
But let’s take this one step further.
Rather than create a new sign each year, let’s create one for this year and, after it’s printed, adapt it for next year and the year after that. How great would it be to go to a folder marked “Independence Day” next year, knowing the sign is already complete?
Here are the days the 4th of July falls on for the next 4 years:
- Friday, July 4, 2014
- Saturday, July 4, 2015
- Monday, July 4, 2016
- Tuesday, July 4, 2017
In that same folder, include a list of locations to place your holiday hours announcement:
- Front door. A simple sign stating special hours or closing for Independence Day.
- Answering machine. This could be changed 5 to 7 days prior to the holiday. In your message, remind callers that you’re always open on the web.
- On your website. Be sure to include the special hours in your event listings, too.
- In your email newsletter.
- At the bottom of your receipts.
- On Facebook and Instagram. (You remember that sign you created for the front door? Save it as a j-peg and use it socially.)
- As you’re checking out customers.
- And if your staff has individual email accounts, don’t forget to place a statement in the message footer or in the auto reply message.
Use this same list as a reminder when you remove the signs and messages on July 5th.
