1. If you have a Christmas section, it should already be done.
- Check every product link... make sure the product exists, and make sure the price is correct. A lot of merchants have been subtely raising prices due to the economy
- If you can, change your Holiday section to look Christmasy.
http://mailordershoppe.com/xmas/main_christmas.htm#top
I added snow to my logo and made the links red. Puts people in the holiday (spending) mood
2. Use coupons
Even if you have a product site or a feed site... find - and use - coupons. People are looking for deals. If YOU don't offer them, the visitors will find them elsewhere
3. Give your best sellers prominence
If you already know what's selling, feature them prominently. In my case, it's something like personalized Christmas stockings. If you don't know, ASK the merchant. You're only gonna get one shot at Q4 riches, so give the customers what they want
4. Remove the dogs
We all have merchants or products that have done squat all year. Resist the urge to give them one more chance. They've had TEN months to prove themselves. Axe them, and just focus on the winners.
5. Ignore "Join Our program" emails.
You will be innudated with "Q4 is our best season/join now" emails. Duh!! Q4 is EVERYONE'S best season!! You don't have time. You may even want to create an autoresponder that politely says "I like your program and will investigate it after Q4"
6. Strategize with your best merchants
You know who they are. Call them!! Get a battle plan organized
7. Check Your Network Offers
A lot of merchants offer a higher commish during the holidays, and Networks like Linkshare require you to opt-in to accept the offer. Make sure you're getting the highest possible rate for the sales you're sending
8. Prepare a backup plan
If you devote 50% of your holiday sales to merchant "A", and something happens, know in advance who your backup merchant "B" is. That means you already joined their program, and have some idea of how you'd promote them.
9. Remember Your Family
I spend the next 2 months telling Jesse "Unless you're dying, ask me in January". Wrong!!! We do what we do for our family. No matter how hectic things get, always remember what's truly important