Merry Marketing: Boost Your Business During the Holidays

The holiday season is closing in, and, as Wesfed points out, that means it's time to start thinking about how you can make your small business stand out from the crowd. If you're feeling a little deflated after last year's holiday rush, never fear! The New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce has put together a list of surefire ways to boost your marketing and attract customers this holiday season.

Liven Up Your Content

Nobody wants to be bombarded with ads during the holidays, so why not get creative with your content? Try hosting a contest or creating an interactive Advent calendar. Not only will this give your customers something to do while they're avoiding their extended family, but it'll also keep them coming back to your website or social media page for more.

Give the Goods

Free stuff is at the top of everyone’s list, so why not give your customers the chance to win some great prizes? Top Growth Marketing notes that you could do a daily giveaway leading up to a big holiday, or a contest where customers have to take a selfie with your product in front of the tree. The possibilities are endless!

Promote Your Products With a PDF Gift Guide

If you've got great products but are struggling with how to market them, consider offering a PDF gift guide. This is especially effective if you sell items that can be personalized, like jewelry or engravings. Showcase different products and let your customers know what would make the perfect present for their loved ones. Not only will this help boost sales, but it'll also make your customers look like heroes when the unwrapping commences.

Keep in mind that, as a PDF document, you’re able to extract pages or sections to create smaller, laser-focused offerings for segments of your target audience. If your offerings include kid-related products like toys, and you have several other product lines that appeal to adults, you can use a PDF editor to remove those pages that appeal to parents and older children. By posting specific items on targeted social media, as well as sections of your website, you boost your brand awareness and exposure. 

Packaging Goes a Long Way

This is a small touch that can make a big difference. Adding some holiday-themed packaging to your orders will definitely get people in the festive mood. Plus, it's an easy way to show your customers that you're thinking about them this holiday season. Just make sure you don't go overboard with the tinsel – nobody wants a glittery explosion in their mailbox.

Connect on Social Media

Take some time to interact with your customers on social media. Showing that there's a real person behind your brand will go a long way toward building relationships with potential and current customers. Plus, it's always nice to spread some holiday cheer online. Just be careful not to come across as too sales-y – no one likes being bombarded with ads during the holidays.

Host a Holiday Event

If you've got the time and resources, hosting a special event is a great way to attract attention to your small business. You could offer holiday-themed discounts, host carolers outside your storefront, or offer complimentary gift-wrapping services. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it gets people in the door and interacting with your brand. 

Contribute to a Local Charity

Giving back is always in season, but it's especially important during the holidays. Show your customers that you care about more than just making money by partnering with or donating to a local charity. You could even host an event where part of the proceeds goes toward supporting the charity of your choice.  

Show Your Appreciation

The holidays are all about showing appreciation for the people we love, so why not show some love to your loyal customers? Offering exclusive discounts or early access to sales is a great way for them to know that you appreciate their business. You could even send out holiday cards with coupon codes inside.  

Make Partnerships 

Small businesses often have trouble competing with large corporations during the holidays, but there's strength in numbers. See if any other businesses in your area would be interested in teaming up for joint promotions or events. You could also cross-promote each other on social media or put together gift baskets featuring products from both businesses. 

The most important thing is to have fun and get creative. The holidays are all about spreading cheer, so make sure your marketing efforts reflect that. Don't be afraid to try something new; after all, what do you have to lose?  When you try the above tips – including creating interactive content and a PDF gift guide to hosting an event and contributing to charity – you're sure to boost your business and get into the festive spirit.

Grow your business by building relationships with other local entrepreneurs and accessing unique resources offered by the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce. Join us today!