It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, it’s finally here. But along with the festive recipes, twinkly lights, and family gatherings, comes the most important aspect of the holidays for small business owners – holiday marketing.
Take a look at that chocolate, peppermint, pumpkin, whipped-cream topped, fancy drink that you are sipping on – you are looking at one of the most successful holiday marketing campaigns there are.
Starbucks releases a holiday line of coffee collectibles every year, along with an entire menu of seasonal drinks, for customers to look forward to. Coffee-lovers rush in to get a hot cup of Christmas-y goodness, making Starbucks known for those holiday specials (Insert red-cup debate here).
We know what you’re thinking – you’re not Starbucks… but the good news is: you don’t have to be a huge establishment to lead a successful holiday marketing campaign.
There are many ways that small businesses can use the excitement of the holidays to boost sales, increase brand awareness, and bring in new clients. All it takes is careful planning, beautiful graphic design, and a strong marketing strategy.
Check out these ideas for marketing your business this holiday season:
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, & Cyber Monday Sales
Potential customers are seeking out the best sales towards the end of November; why let your business be overshadowed by your competitors? No matter what type of business you have, consider a sale, discount, or special offer, only available on these high-consumer days. It’s a great way to increase interest in your brand at the start of the busy holiday season.
Limited Edition Items or Services
Give customers something to look forward to with a special holiday product or service, depending on your business. The holiday season is full of shoppers looking to save – and your product or service may be exactly what they are looking for. If you don’t have a holiday item, consider a discount or sale on a customer favorite. If you have an item with high sales throughout the year, amp it up with a limited offer coupon. Most importantly, make sure you have an email marketing and social media strategy in place to ensure that people know about it!
Early Bird Specials
Creating an “Early Bird” special creates a sense of urgency for customers. Try offering a special discount during certain hours at your location, or providing a giveaway freebie for the first 25 people to place an order online. There are endless ways to do this, and it’s especially effective during big shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Free shipping is another motive for people to order right away – shoppers are always looking for ways to save a little extra money.
Holiday Event Marketing
Utilize the holidays to create an exciting event for your customers. Set up a special shopping hour, demonstration, or a holiday party/open house. Bringing potential customers in and greeting families is a great way to improve your brand and increase community engagement.
Personalized Emails, Newsletters, and Mailings
People want to put a face to your business, especially if your business often works with clients one-on-one. Consider sending out a holiday card or newsletter to everyone on your email list, with a warm greeting from you and your staff. Customers will appreciate and remember this personal touch.
Thinking Ahead
Consider ways you can appeal to your audience after the holidays. Promote items that they can use for the rest of winter, or services that can help them reach a New Year’s resolution. This will encourage a long-term relationship with this client as we enter 2016.
We know that internet marketing is not the only thing on your long, December to-do list. Holiday marketing, especially, can be very overwhelming. Our UplinkSpyder team is prepared to give your business the extra attention it needs during the holiday season. Contact Us TODAY to get started.