9 Holiday Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses
The holidays are a crucial time for small businesses. According to the National Retail Federation, holiday retail sales in the United States increased by 14.1% in 2021 to a record-breaking $886.7 billion. That means there's a lot of potential for small businesses to get a piece of the holiday shopping pie—but only if they have a solid marketing strategy in place.
Not sure where to start? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here are 9 holiday marketing ideas courtesy of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce that are sure to get your small business noticed this season:
1. Create a PDF Gift Guide
Vend notes that one of the best ways to market your products during the holidays is by creating a PDF gift guide. If you use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint to generate the content and layout for your gift guide, converting to a PDF is fast and simple. In fact, by using an online tool, learning how to convert Word to PDF is easy. The beauty of PDFs is that they can be viewed on a customer’s PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone, and they can be posted on social media or your website.
This is a great way to showcase your products in a festive and relatable way. Be sure to include photos, descriptions, and links for each item so interested shoppers can easily purchase items from your guide.
2. Share Useful and Interactive Content
The holidays are all about giving, so why not give your audience some useful and interactive content? This could be anything from blog posts and infographics to quizzes and polls. Not only will this help you engage with your audience, but it will also show that you're an expert in your field—which could lead to more customers down the road.
3. Hold Giveaways or Contests
Everyone loves a good giveaway or contest, especially during the holidays. This is a great way to get people talking about your brand and generate some excitement around your products or services. Just be sure to make the rules clear and easy to follow so you don't end up with a bunch of angry customers on your hands.
4. Invest in Holiday Packaging
Make sure your products stand out from the rest this holiday season by investing in some festive packaging. This could be anything from custom gift wrap to branded boxes and bags. Your customers will appreciate the extra effort, and it will make your products that much more desirable.
5. Engage via Social Media
Social media is one of the best tools you have at your disposal when it comes to holiday marketing. Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share festive content, offer special deals, and engage with your audience. Just be sure not to overdo it—no one wants their feed bombarded with holiday ads 24/7!
6. Reward Loyal Customers
This is the time of year when people are looking for deals and discounts, so why not offer some exclusive savings to your loyal customers? This could be anything from early access to sales to free shipping on orders over a certain amount. Whatever you choose, just make sure it's something that will entice people to shop with you again in the future.
7. Partner with Other Businesses
Team up with other businesses in your area—or even outside of your industry—to cross-promote each other's products or services this holiday season. This is a great way to reach new audiences and forge long-lasting relationships with other businesses in your community. Win-win!
8) Host a Unique Event
Hosting a unique event is another great way to get people talking about your small business this holiday season—and beyond! Think outside the box when it comes to planning your event—the sky's the limit!
9) Support a Local Charity
Giving back is always important, but it takes on new meaning during the holidays. Find a local charity that aligns with your brand values and consider donating some of your proceeds or hosting a fundraiser on their behalf. Not only will this make you feel good, but it will also show potential customers that you're more than just a business—you're part of the community!
The holidays are an important time for small businesses—it's when many companies see their highest sales of the year! But if you want to take advantage of all that holiday spending, you need to have a solid marketing strategy in place first. Luckily, we've got you covered with 9 ideas that are sure to get your small business noticed this season! From creating a gift guide to partnering with other businesses, there's something here for everyone! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start marketing!
Membership in the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce offers invaluable benefits to entrepreneurs in our community. Join us today!
