While there’s no place like home for the holidays, many malls, local businesses, and super stores see a staggering amount of foot traffic in the weeks leading up to the big day. Interested in learning how to make your small business profitable during the shopping season? Read on for seasonal marketing tips and ideas for small businesses.
Start Early
Our first marketing tip for small businesses is timing. Around the holidays, timing is everything, and if you want the following Christmas marketing ideas to work out, you have to start early. No matter how good your strategy is, if you put it into motion too late, it’s going to fall flat.
It’s never too early to start coming up with a plan. During October, when everyone’s shopping for last-minute Halloween costumes and bulk candy, you should be thinking ahead. Think of what decorations you’re going to put up, what deals you’re going to offer, and how you’re going to get the information about your deals out there.
Plan
Thinking about your strategy is all well and good, but it takes serious planning to bring your Christmas marketing ideas to fruition. A great marketing tip for small businesses is obvious: plan!
Get a calendar, a notebook, and a pen, and physically write down the sales and promotions that are swimming around in your head.
Plan which deals are going to cater to regulars, which strategies are going to focus on bringing in new shoppers, and how to advertise your sales. Once you have a concrete idea of what your deals consist of—including how you’re going to pull them off and when they’re going to take place—assign them concrete dates on your calendar. You can make adjustments until you’ve spread the word, but you should try to stick to the strategy you’ve fleshed out.
Be a Problem Solver
No matter what type of business you own, you can get creative with the ways that you can help your shoppers. There are plenty of seasonal problems that families run into each and every year, whether it’s breaking the ice with the in-laws or finding a last minute gift.
Here are a few seasonal solutions for inspiration:
- Discounted childcare for easier Christmas shopping.
- Discounted pet grooming or pet care during holiday travel.
- Deals on pre/post party housekeeping essentials.
- Meal prep.
- Deals on festive decor.
Spread the Word
Another element that determines how effectively your Christmas marketing ideas play out is how well you spread the word. If no one knows what promotions you’re running, they’re not going to stop in. Use different platforms to shout your deals, including social media, online ads, and print advertising.
Social Media
If only one of our marketing ideas for small businesses sinks in, let it be this one: create an active social media presence. In the age of technology, it can drastically change how your store stays afloat. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all places where your customers live. If you want to engage and connect with them, you need to be present on social media as well.
When it comes to spreading the word about your holiday deals and discounts, use every tool social media puts at your disposal. Create hashtags, start pinning on Pinterest, and promote current and upcoming deals every week. To embrace the holiday spirit, create a seasonal profile and cover photo for your business.
Online Ads
If you have the budget for it, you can invest in Google Ads to run advertisements each time someone searches for a product you sell. If running ads on search results is too pricey, you can set up an email server for your business that will send out weekly, or even daily, emails. You can send out coupons, introduce new items, and walk customers through your new promotions.
Print Ads
You may think it’s old school, but print advertising is still very effective. Put out an ad in your local newspaper, or send out postcards, coupon booklets, and flyers in the mail. Make custom printing an integral part of your Christmas marketing ideas.
You can buy custom boxes, bags, and other useful packaging materials in bulk at Paper Mart for an affordable price!
Loyalty Rewards
Another important tip for small businesses during the holidays is that it’s good to show your repeat customers just how happy you are to have their loyalty. A lot of marketing tips for small businesses revolve around bringing new customers in, but it’s just as important to keep your previous customers coming back.
Make sure your Christmas marketing ideas include a way that you can give back to your community. Hand out coupons for additional discounts and deals exclusively for repeat shoppers or set up a bowl of foil-wrapped candy at the register that customers can sample on their way home.
If you own a restaurant or convenience store, advertise that you’re giving away a free treat to anyone who makes a coffee or hot chocolate purchase. Bring customers in, raise their spirits, and give them something that will keep them coming back.
Get Published
Getting published is one of the most important marketing tips for small businesses this season. Create a website for your business, link your social media pages, and communicate with your customers on a deeper level. Instead of quick shoutouts, post blogs, write advice columns highlighting your area of expertise, and share stories that solidify your business’s place in your community.
Host Events for the Community
Hosting events in your community is also a great marketing idea for small businesses, and they are another way you can solidify your place in your community. By mingling with your customers and spending time together outside of the transaction, you’ll create a stronger relationship. A few creative ways you can bring people in include:
Throwing a Christmas-themed costume party.- Holding a book reading or signing.
- Having a build-your-own gingerbread house competition.
- Hosting a photo opportunity with Santa.
No matter what type of event you choose, make sure there’s a lot of interaction. Want to go the extra mile? Spice things up with a giveaway!
Make a Difference
While holding fun events for the members of your community is one way that you can give back, the holidays offer a great opportunity for your small business to go one step further. Use our list of marketing tips and ideas for small businesses to make a difference for the people around you.
Supporting local charities show how much you care about the members of your community—and if you don’t have money to give, you can always give your time and attention. Volunteer at a local shelter, find a service that the community needs and try your best to provide for them, and offer discounts for customers who donate and volunteer with you.
Author Bio:
Casey Pontrelli is a content strategist and writer. She writes about the latest in promotional marketing and party planning trends.