Small businesses need to have a strategy through the holidays. Here are some tips to maximize your holiday sales. I used some of these for my organizing business.
- Develop your holiday strategy early. October is a great month to do this. You can use a calendar and mark the events and activities so all employees know the strategy.
- Focus on promotions that add value not price, like free wrapping with purchase.
- Team up with other small businesses and create an event that benefits both businesses.
- Show your small business uniqueness and appeal during the holidays. I like to advertise one of my services as a holiday gift to help others get organized.
- Build a sense of urgency on social media, in store, by email, on your website. Use words like “Expires soon” and “Last day guaranteed for Christmas”.
- Market gift cards for last minute shoppers or people who don’t know what to get. The goal is for everyone to buy something, right.
- Use rich text media, like photos, memes and videos. Social media sites love great visuals. Ask a question, create engagement.
- What is your most popular items that were sold in September to November? Make sure you have those items in stock. Read more.
At the end of the season, review your events and jot down what worked and what didn’t. Here are some questions to ask yourself.
Was everyone focused on the goals?
Did you attract new customers?
Did you bring back longtime customers?
Did customers engage in the event?
I hope this helps you have a successful and prosperous holiday season. Good luck to your small business.
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Autumn Leopold says
December 7, 2015 at 11:34 amGreat post Sabrina! Lots of good ideas here! They are all practical for all different types of small businesses. Also, they will work year round too!
Beverley Golden says
December 2, 2015 at 5:32 pmThese are all great tips to be prepared and to optimize the holiday season for your business or service. There is so much frenzy during this time of year that anything we can do to make it easier for people to choose our product or service, makes a lot of sense. I imagine some companies start in January to plan their Christmas holiday season and I remember going to a local One-of-Kind Show, (a huge show that attracts artisans from all over North America), and hearing that many of them are preparing the entire year to have enough product to display and sell at this once-a-year 10-day show and sale. Thanks for the tips, Sabrina!
Roslyn Tanner Evans says
December 2, 2015 at 4:06 pmWe knew we needed to get going on our holiday plan & sales early but always catching up. My daughter designed a new style lariat & the second it is finished, promoted in newsletter or ad, it is sold. They take some time to make so thats all she can do.
Beth Niebuhr says
December 2, 2015 at 2:51 pmSo many great suggestions and I especially like the questions to ask yourself at the end of the season so that you can make it even better next year. Good to do while it’s fresh in your head. Also a great reminder to have plenty of the most popular items.
Jackie Harder says
December 2, 2015 at 3:45 pmThanks for the reminder! I need to finalize some holiday offers that have been banging around in my head.
Susan Mary Malone says
December 2, 2015 at 2:02 pmThis is a great plan! While I don’t actually have holiday sales in my business, most of these tips will work for me at any time. Thank You!
Melanie Banayat says
December 2, 2015 at 1:59 pmThanks for the excellent checklist.