In what will inevitably be seen as a controversial move in marketing circles, the author of a recent report has declared that “all marketing will become direct marketing” in the future.

The UK’s Direct Marketing Association has reported that direct marketing budgets increased during the fourth quarter of 2010, in the face of budget cuts for other forms of marketing.

The New Year is often a time when businesses start to think about their plans for the coming year and so inevitably their thoughts turn to how they can gain more new business.

Christmas and the New Year is often a time when people consider their future and their career choices, which can prompt a flurry of new business start-ups in the first few months of the year.

If your business does well from the Christmas season, the new year onwards can come of something of a shock, with business petering out for the first quarter. However there are some ways in which you can continue to target the gift giving and celebratory markets.