In terms of marketing, it probably is best to wait until January... at least for your advertising (newspaper or direct mail). There's too much "retail" advertising going on right now to break through the clutter for that.

But in terms of response and scheduling people who have already contacted you, now is a good time. Many people will be "home" more in the next few weeks (due to having to use up vacation time before the end of the year), making it a good time to schedule appointments.

If you have an e-mail list, now would be a good time to send out a blast with a year-end schedule ("Mark 'Home Inventory' off your New Year's Resolution list!). For prospects who haven't yet signed up for services, offer the Express Inventory option.

If you DON'T have an e-mail list, now is a great time to start one. Add a simple sign-up form to your website and offer a free special report to those who sign up. (Yes, I'll work on writing one of those too.) I recommend "Vertical Response" (Email Marketing from VerticalResponse). There's no upgront fees and it has easy to use templates. Plus, it's easy to create the HTML code for your website signup form.

Use your e-mail list (or mail) to contact *existing* customers and offer a "mini-update" for January to inventory the new items they've added in 2007 (including Christmas gifts).

This time of the year is also a GREAT time for a news release. I'll write one tomorrow (12/18) that can be sent now -- newspapers, radio stations, and TV broadcasts are all looking for timely news during the slow period between Christmas and New Years.

If you'd like a copy of it, e-mail homeinventoryservicemagazine@gmail.com (subject: December News Release) and I'll send it to you just as soon as I finish writing it!