Even in the digital age, physical calendars -- both the wall and desk variety -- are still used in homes and workplaces across the country. Given that people look at their calendars on a daily basis, promotional calendars are one of the best ways to promote a business. Of course, if you want promotional calendars to work for your marketing plan, you'll need to execute them properly. Here are four calendar tips that will bring you business over the next 12 months.

Don't Be Too Overt

Most people like buying, but they don't like being overtly sold to. If they feel someone is actively trying to push them to buy something, they're likely to resist. In addition, for your calendar to be effective, it needs to be something your customers will want to display in their home or office and look at everyday. When it comes to selling your products with promotional calendars, don't be too overt about it. Instead of using typical product images as calendar photos, try to take a creative angle. Think about using an interesting backdrop for the items or adding an additional subject that you know will be appealing. Kittens, for example, are universally appealing -- photograph your products surrounded by them, and you'll create a calendar that becomes a permanent fixture and sells discretely.

List Your Promotional Dates

If you're on top of your marketing efforts, you likely have the dates of your promotions for the next year planned out in advance. If you do, don't hesitate to list them on your calendar. Events, seasonal deals, and any other happenings that could bring you more business should be added. This is one of the best ways to drive traffic; making existing customers aware of key dates in advance also gives them to opportunity to spread the word to friends, family, and colleagues, giving you free word-of-mouth marketing.

Include Calls to Action

Unless someone is particularly desperate to buy your products, they're not going to spend a great deal of time figuring out how to do that. Most people lead busy lives, so you need to show them exactly how they can buy the items they see on your calendar before they can forget about them. Consider adding website links, phone numbers, QR codes, and product names to your calendar photos. Remember to make all links mobile-friendly so people can access your site on-the-go. If they look at your calendar on their way out of the house and they have to wait until they get to a computer to buy it, there is a chance they'll forget or talk themselves out of the purpose.

Use a Good Printing Service

Having a poor-quality, cheap-looking promotional calendar is arguably worse than having none at all. Your marketing materials speak volumes about your business -- you want them to say the right thing. Make sure you use a reliable, digital printing company to produce your calendars for you if you want them to bring in business for the year to come.