Holiday Marketing Tips for Small Business Owners: How to Make the Season Bright
The holiday season is a magical time for shoppers—and a critical time for small businesses. With consumers on the hunt for gifts, deals, and festive experiences, this is your chance to shine. But let’s be real: the holidays can also be overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling marketing with everything else on your plate to run your business.
At Lange Digital Solutions, we know how hectic this season can be for small business owners. That’s why we’ve put together some simple yet effective holiday marketing tips to help you make the most of this busy time.
Start Early (But It’s Never Too Late)
Ideally, you want to start planning your holiday campaigns in October or early November. But if you’re reading this in mid-November or even December, don’t panic—you can still make an impact. Shoppers are active right up until the last minute, so there’s definitely still time to come up with a plan to grab their attention.
Focus on quick-win strategies like social media promotions, email blasts, and flash sales. Simply retargeting your existing customer list can be a great way to start a holiday campaign with some momentum! Even a simple “last-minute gift ideas” campaign can bring in late-season shoppers.
Deck the Halls of Your Online Presence
Your customers expect a little holiday spirit, so update your website, social media profiles, and even your email templates with festive touches. This could be as simple as adding holiday-themed banners or switching up your usual colors to include some red, green, or gold. Also, highlight any holiday-specific offerings, like gift cards, seasonal products, or limited-time discounts, on your homepage and social media pages. A little festive personality can go a long way with your customers!
Offer Irresistible Deals
The holiday season is all about giving, and consumers love a good deal. Whether it’s Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or a random Tuesday in December, offering discounts or special promotions can drive traffic and boost sales.
Ideas to Try:
Bundle Deals: Package complementary products together for a discounted price. This can be a simple way to make additional sales revenue, but also get people to try products or services that they may not have on their own!
Flash Sales: Create urgency by offering deep discounts for a limited time. FOMO (the fear of missing out) is a real thing!
Buy One, Get One (BOGO): Encourage customers to buy more by giving them a free or discounted item with their purchase.
% Off Coupons: Get customers to come into your storefront with a percentage off coupon. It may be a minor gesture, but it can get them in the doors, where you get a chance to form a relationship and really make an impression for a future review!
Leverage Social Media for Maximum Reach
During the holidays, social media is your best friend. Customers are scrolling for gift ideas, holiday inspiration, and deals. Make sure your business shows up in their feed with engaging content.
Content Ideas:
Highlight customer favorites or bestsellers.
Share behind-the-scenes holiday prep at your business. Customers love an inside look! A simple "How-To" video can be an easy quick win!
Run a festive giveaway to increase engagement and grow your following.
Don’t forget to use holiday-themed hashtags to increase visibility. Think #HolidayDeals, #ShopSmall, or #GiftsForEveryone. If you have a good post with a scroll-stopping graphic, consider turning it into an ad for even just a small daily budget.
Make It Easy for Last-Minute Shoppers
Not everyone finishes their holiday shopping in November. Many people are still scrambling in the final days before the big celebrations. Cater to these last-minute shoppers by highlighting quick and convenient options.
What You Can Do:
Promote digital gift cards for instant delivery.
Offer local pickup or same-day delivery if possible.
Clearly communicate your shipping deadlines for online orders.
Convenience is key here! Make it so easy that they can’t afford not to take advantage of your deal.
Show Appreciation to Your Customers
The holidays are a great time to thank your customers for their support throughout the year. A little gratitude can go a long way in building loyalty and encouraging repeat business.
Ideas to Try:
Send a heartfelt thank-you email or card.
Offer exclusive discounts to loyal customers. Send an email coupon to your customer contact list! Retargeting past customers can work great! They bought from you before, so they are more likely to do so again!
Highlight customer stories or testimonials on social media.
Make sure that these gestures have a personal touch. Remember, people like to do business with people, not just businesses!
Plan for Post-Holiday Opportunities
Once the holiday rush is over, the marketing doesn’t stop. Many shoppers will be looking for after-Christmas deals or ways to spend their gift cards. Use this time to keep the momentum going. Plan a post-holiday sale or promotion to clear out inventory and start the new year strong. Once we have created a way to get customers in the door, you don’t want it to be their last trip. How can you keep them coming back?
Final Thoughts
Holiday marketing doesn’t have to be stressful. By focusing on these simple strategies, you can connect with your customers, boost your sales, and make this season your best yet. And if you need a little extra help? Lange Digital Solutions is here to make sure your holiday marketing shines brighter than ever. If you are ready to sleigh your holiday marketing (see what we did there?), just drop us an email at [email protected] ! We can’t wait to help you put a holiday plan in action!
Best wishes,
Dr. Travis Lange
