Can you believe it’s already mid-November?
The days seem to fly by as the end of the year approaches, especially for small business owners who often juggle multiple roles. It’s easy to let holiday marketing slip through the cracks when you’re managing so much. Fortunately, there’s still time to implement effective marketing tactics for this season (you may want to start working on them today, though).
Let’s take a look at six last-minute tactics for connecting with your customers this holiday season without overwhelming your schedule.
1. Use Your Personal Touch as a Strength
Unlike big chains, you have the advantage of truly knowing your customers.
Personalized approaches, such as heartfelt holiday greetings, personalized offers, or simple thank you notes for year-round support, can show your appreciation and understanding of your audience. You don’t need a grand gesture to make a genuine connection. Simply let your customers know you value and appreciate them.
2. Get Social with Social Media
Social media is a cost-effective and fun way to engage with your customers. Show behind-the-scenes glimpses of your holiday preparations or run “12 Days of Christmas” promotions with exclusive deals. We know creating content can be time-consuming, so here are a few ways to provide valuable content without it feeling like another chore.
Content is around you: You don’t always need to create new content. Record what your business is already doing! Capture moments of your team decorating for the holidays, preparing special products, or organizing local events. A behind-the-scenes look at your holiday preparations can be engaging and doesn’t require much beyond a camera.
Be personal: Highlight the faces behind your business, and let people know you’re part of their local community. Post a photo of someone wearing a festive holiday sweater and create a bio explaining how they came to live in the community and work at the business. Show customers who they’re working with and supporting during the holiday season.
Schedule posts in advance: Use social media tools to plan and schedule your posts ahead of time. Scheduling ahead allows you to have a consistent and valuable online presence without spending time on it daily.
Engage with your community: Respond to comments and messages. Personal interaction shows that your business is approachable and values its customers.
Outsource help: It may be too late for Thanksgiving help, but outsourcing to an agency (like Vervocity) or a person to help with your holiday marketing can take some of the stress off your plate! Do your research and work with someone who will take the time to get to know your brand.
3. Collaborate to Celebrate
Other small, local businesses may be in the same last-minute boat you find yourself in now. Collaborate with neighboring small businesses to pool resources, cross-promote each other’s products or services, and create a festive shopping experience that draws more foot traffic.
Work together to offer customers a holiday promotion like product or service bundles, or co-host a holiday pop-up at one of your locations. If you have strict time or budget constraints, consider creating a shared holiday hashtag or social media challenge that encourages customers to visit all the participating businesses.
Collaboration is an opportunity to increase sales and build lasting relationships with your fellow business owners!
4. Promote Gift Cards
Gift cards make great last-minute gifts – we may or may not know from first-hand experience. They’re perfect for shoppers who are unsure what to get or are running out of time to find that special something.
Prominently display gift cards at the checkout counter with a festive holiday display. A good visual presentation can draw customers’ attention and remind them that a gift card is an excellent gift option. Share information about your gift cards online and let people know if digital gift cards are an option (for those really last-minute shoppers).
5. Implement Segmented Email Marketing
Email marketing is both cost-effective and highly impactful. Segment your email list to tailor your messages. First-time customers, regulars, and those who haven’t shopped in a while might all receive different emails. Highlight exclusive deals, recommend products based on past purchases, or share a sneak peek of upcoming holiday goods. Personalization counts here, too!
6. Give Back if You Can
The spirit of giving is part of many holiday traditions. Embrace the spirit of the season by supporting a cause close to your business or community. Whether it’s donating a portion of your sales to a local charity or volunteering as a team, let your customers know how they can also get involved or support your cause.
If your business doesn’t have the means to give back this year, that’s okay! Write a note to consider giving back in the future.
Don’t Stress about Perfecting Your Holiday Marketing
The holiday season is a fantastic opportunity to deepen relationships with your community and customers. Use these last-minute tactics to show your customers how much you value them and to stand out in the sea of holiday promotions.
Also, don’t stress too much. If you find yourself overwhelmed or unsure where to start with your holiday marketing, Vervocity can help. We understand the challenges small businesses face during this busy season and are equipped to help you connect with your customers meaningfully. Contact us today to see how we can make your holiday marketing efforts successful and stress-free!
