Suggestions For September 26 & 27

September 26, 2008, is Love Note Day. Align your online customer-self-service technology so visitors can choose from a variety of templates to create a short love note, then give them the ability to send that love note via e-mail to their loved ones.

Offer a special prize — some visitors will win a small box of chocolates (or tickets to an event, or flowers, or whatever comes to mind) after sending the e-Love Note. Have your colleagues track the number of e-Love Notes sent, then select every 52nd or 111th — or whatever random number works best — as a winner. You might even offer an option for Love Notes senders to link to the businesses offering the prizes, so they can buy something special for their loved ones, rather than leaving it up to chance.

September 27 is filled with many options for revenue-generating ideas: Ancestor Appreciation Day, Family Health And Fitness Day — USA, National Public Lands Day, R.E.A.D. In America Day, World Tourism Day. Feel free to explore options in those areas, but I'd like to suggest National Hunting And Fishing Day as a date upon which to generate revenue.

Whether for sport or sustenance, millions of people take part in hunting and fishing. For those who do it for the sport, consider giving them a forum where they can share photos of their kill with others who enjoy the sport. This can be an online gallery or a private party page in your newspaper. And hunters and fishermen of all ages will appreciate a directory of businesses who cater to their needs. No doubt there are more than a few in your own community that would love to show their support in print or online.