4 Things Every Small Business Should Be Doing to Ensure a Fruitful Holiday Season
The holidays are a golden time for small businesses, but success doesn’t happen without a little prep work. Here are four essential steps every small business should take to make the most of the season and finish the year strong!
1. Get Ahead with Early Planning
Set yourself up for success by planning early. Mark down key dates—like Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and any local events—and decide on your promotions well in advance. Planning events that involve the community (think holiday markets or charity drives) can also give you a nice boost. Additionally, ensure your social content calendars and email campaigns are mapped out in advance. This is a great time to up-level your PR and marketing strategies, which brings us nicely to our next point!
Make sure your physical and online assets are ready to go, too. Have your inventory updated, website prepared, and social media content tailored to both engage consumers and showcase your holiday specials.
2. Boost Your PR & Marketing
This is the season to get in front of as many people as possible, and one way to do so is with a strong holiday-centric email marketing campaign. Not sure where to start? Keep it simple by sharing any holiday specials you’re planning, then stay top-of-mind with regular updates about sales, community events, and end-of-year musings.
Don’t forget your social channels, either! Create a holiday-themed social media content calendar, ensuring posts are both engaging and informative.
On the PR front, getting included in holiday gift guides or local publications is a great way to increase brand awareness. Don’t be shy about pitching your business to local reporters or influencers. Research the types of products they’re looking for to see if you’re a good fit. While it might seem intimidating to put yourself or your product out there, this is the perfect time to do so!
(Not sure where to start? Let PBPR handle your holiday pitching - get started with us today!)
3. Perfect Your Online Presence
More traffic, more problems? It’s true! Make sure your website is ready to handle the inevitable influx of holiday shoppers. Update your inventory, ensure promotions are applied, and check that everything—from product pages to the checkout process—is running smoothly. Don’t overlook your email list either; encourage your social media followers to sign up for your newsletters with an exclusive discount code or a free gift. Once your email list is beefed up, a “Get Ready for the Holidays” teaser can keep your business top of mind as people begin shopping.
4. Engage with Your Community
The holidays are about connection, so make your business a local holiday hotspot! In-person events are always a great way to build and bolster your community. Consider hosting a festive event, like a cozy holiday open house or a workshop that showcases your products. At PBPR, we’re big fans of partnering with other local businesses. Teaming up with a neighboring company can help you reach new customers, expand your impact, and create an even more exciting event. Imagine a “holiday shop crawl” or co-hosted gift fair that brings foot traffic to everyone involved.
Happy Holidays!
The holiday season is busy, but with a bit of planning and creative outreach, your small business can thrive. Happy selling, and may your holiday season be merry and profitable!
