Marketing Me! August was tough!

August was a tough month all the way around.

It started with a bouncy, topsey-turvy stock market.

Then rolled into the wonderful news about the sub-prime housing market.

Then comes the credit/cash crunch. Some businesses lamented that there wasn't a dollar to be found on the street.

And all of this happens in what is traditionally the deadest month of the year for business, not only in the U.S., but worldwide, August.

Could not have happened to a nicer month!

Somehow, someone forgot to mention that little fact. August is "roll up the streets" time in Europe and other parts of the world.

In the States, many take their final vacation of the summer.

For families, work comes second to back to school and the related activities.

Finally, the whole thing ends with ironically and aptly with Labor Day - in other words, "Get back to work day!".

Last week, I heard my final "I am out of the office" voice mail and instead started off with the phone ringing off the hook. Today was no different and I found myself at the office an extra hour this evening just answering calls.

I fully expect next week to be more of the same and so it will continue through the end of October as businesses close out their fiscal year.

November will bring in some additional business and the 2007 business year will come to a grinding halt around the second week of December (for some, not all. I make some great, end-of-year, Yule deals in the final two weeks of the year!).

2008 will be another thing, what with the fallout from the sub-prime market and a presidential election. But that is next year, we only care about what we are going to do tomorrow, right?

I don't know where you stand today or tomorrow. But try not to let August and the summer doldrums get you down. Tomorrow is another day and don't forget, it is Friday!

Until then, happy hunting!