The holiday season can be everything to a small business—it can actually make up missed goals from the rest of the year and then some. But to attract holiday shoppers, you need to have a solid plan in place. That means updating your marketing approach, hiring seasonal staff, creating a gift guide, decorating your storefront, and attracting last-minute shoppers. But don't worry—we've got you covered. Read on for everything you need to know about getting your small business ready for the holiday season courtesy of the Conifer Area Chamber of Commerce.
Update Your Marketing Approach to Make it Holiday-Focused
One of the most important things you can do to get your small business ready for the holidays is to revise your marketing plan. After all, what good is all that holiday cheer if no one knows about it? To spread the word about your holiday offerings, start by creating a festive e-newsletter or social media campaign. The Minority Business Development Agency notes that you can also team up with other local businesses to host a holiday event or promote each other's products and services. And don't forget about traditional marketing techniques like flyers and direct mail. A little extra effort now will pay off big time when the holiday rush is in full swing.
Hire Dependable Seasonal Staff
If you're like most small businesses, you probably don't have a lot of extra staff on the books during the slow months. But when the holidays roll around, you're going to need as much help as you can get. To avoid being overwhelmed (and missing out on potential sales), LegalZoom advises planning early to hire seasonal staff. This will give you time to train them on your products and procedures before things get too hectic. And when the holidays are over, you can simply let them go—no hard feelings!
Put Together a PDF Gift Guide
Gift guides are a great way to help shoppers find the perfect present for their loved ones—and they're also a great way to promote your products or services. If you don't have the budget for a glossy print catalog, no worries! You can easily create an eye-catching gift guide using nothing more than Microsoft Word and an online tool that allows you to convert from docx to PDF. Simply design your pages using images and text, then save them as PDFs that can be viewed online or printed out at home. Best of all, PDFs are easy to share via email or social media—so make sure to include links in all your holiday marketing materials.
Jazz Up Your Storefront for the Holidays
Your storefront is like a giant blank canvas just begging to be decorated for the holidays. So take advantage of it! A few string lights and some festive window displays will go a long way toward attracting holiday shoppers. Just make sure not to overdo it—you don't want your store looking like the warehouse for Santa's workshop! A little bit of holiday cheer is all you need.
Attract Last-Minute Shoppers with In-Store Pickup Options
Even if they've been procrastinating, everyone needs to do their holiday shopping eventually—and that's where in-store pickup comes in handy. By offering this service, you'll make it easy for last-minute shoppers to get their hands on your products without having to battle crowds at the mall. Plus, they'll appreciate not having to wrap everything themselves! Just be sure to clearly advertise your in-store pickup options both online and in your store so shoppers know what's available.
The holidays are key for small business success—and with a little preparation, you can make sure yours is ready for anything. Update your marketing approach, hire seasonal staff, create a gift guide, decorate your storefront, and offer in-store pickup options to attract last-minute shoppers. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to having a successful holiday season!
The Conifer Area Chamber of Commerce champions our community’s economic and cultural growth through networking, events, and advocacy. Become a member today!
