Merry Christmas!

It is the first of March. What is your advertising talking about?

I saw a business marquee the other day that said Merry Christmas. To give the business credit, they are closed for the off season -- but that sign should still be promoting their reopening date.

A big part of your marketing is making sure that you are saying the right things at the right time. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Create an outline of your marketing. What will you be talking about when? Put together a timeline of what you need to be doing.

2. Create your copy as far in advance as possible.

3. Make sure that all your marketing is talking about the same thing. Your marquee needs to reflect your print, which should reflect your broadcast, and your web. Try to have one message in all your advertising.

4. Make sure your front line people know what you are talking about. I could tell you horror stories of people advertising a huge discount or sale and the associates did not know about it. Make sure everyone and everything is working together.

Have a great week.