The holidays are undoubtedly the busiest time of the year for businesses, so what are you doing to stand out among the madness? The season is ripe with opportunities to up your marketing game, so we’ve come up with five easy, but effective, tips to help you out. Consider it an early Christmas present.
1. Give Your Customers Something
It is the season for giving, after all. We’ve talked before about how a giving spirit can strengthen the relationship between you and your customers, as well as build a strong sense of brand loyalty and trust. Go the extra mile this year and offer up something you know your customers want. Give them something they can use, something they can learn from. It’ll go a long way for your holiday marketing.
2. Participate In Local Holiday Events
Does your town have a Christmas parade? What about a tree lighting ceremony, a toy drive, or a Christmas concert/presentation? If there is a local holiday event that draws people from the community, get your business involved somehow. Be a sponsor, set up a booth, throw candy in a parade, or just be present to spread the word about your business.
3. Send Out Holiday E-Cards
This is a simple way to express your holiday spirit and show some appreciation to your customers. And don’t worry, you don’t need a degree in graphic design. Websites like Canva.com help you create great ecards, and it’s free! We also suggest including a special offer, such as a discount or coupon to sweeten the pot and encourage customer engagement.
4. Utilize Social Media
Last year, Mashable reported that 65% of holiday shoppers used social media as a means to find the perfect gift. Using Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to promote your business during the holidays is a no brainer, not to mention a fantastic way to connect with customers on a personal and native level. Between themed posts, ads, contests, and giveaways, your options are virtually endless.
5. Partner With a Charity
With all the hoopla surrounding this time of year, it’s easy to take the holidays for granted. For many, this is a very difficult time. So give your customers a chance to give back to their community and lend a hand to the less fortunate. Partner with a local charity or food bank and plan to donate (x) amount of your holiday profits. You could also sponsor a fundraising event, or just simply collect donations in your store.
Bonus: Get a Santa
Seriously. If you operate out of an actual brick and mortar store that can accommodate a jolly special guest, have someone come play Santa for a day. It’ll be a huge draw for parents of young children, and a great way to pull people into your store.
Find anything useful? Leave us a comment, and let us know. Happy Holidays!
