With the approaching holiday season, you may have special marketing or advertising plans in mind for your business. If you do, know that there’s a right way and a wrong way to reach your target holiday audience. Here are a few tips for marketing your business in the most effective way possible for the holidays.
Team Up With a Local Charity
Working with a local charity during the holidays is a good way to give back to your community and market your business in a brand new way. What’s unique about teaming up with a local charity in terms of marketing is that it can do wonders for your brand reputation. When current and potential customers see that you support a local cause, they’re more likely to want to support you. Eugene Chrinian successful businessman and philanthropist believes that people need to know how much you care, before they care how much you know. Working with a charity also gives you the chance to meet with people that you may never have spoken with outside of business, which can offer you new insight and new customers.
Think About Sending Out Coupons
While consumers are always looking for ways to save money, they double-down on those attempts during the holidays. Help them support your business while giving gifts to friends and family by offering coupons or discounts. Besides mailing out coupons, you can also offer online discounts for those shopping through your business website. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to make it as quick and easy as possible for customers to save.
Embrace the Holidays in Your Store
Think about adding some holiday cheer to your brick-and-mortar store or online store. This is a great way to get customers in the mood, and they may be tempted to step in your physical store or browse your online store to see if there are any special products, services or discounts that would make for a great buy. To make the most of decorating, try to select decorations that reflect your overall branding.
Host a Thank-You Dinner
If you and your employees like to cook, why not host a thank-you dinner for your most customers? This lets you sit down and share a meal with your customers and learn more about them, something that can provide you with vital information that can help you connect and build relationships with them.
Maybe you aren’t the best cook or simply don’t have time for it. If so, see if there are any local restaurants willing to donate food in exchange for you promoting their business. This is similar to working with a local charity in that you’re making an effort to give back to your community.
Exhibit at Holiday Shows
There’s likely a holiday show going on near your geographic location. Do some digging to see where and when, and make plans to attend. Participating allows you to get your products and services in front of a customer base that you may have never considered before or may have never heard of your business had you not participated in the show. Make the most of the opportunity by getting contact information from those interested in your services or products, and be sure to follow up with them.
Have a Holiday Sale
Besides sending out coupons, you can also hold a holiday sale. While this tip certainly isn’t the most original, it can prove effective in churning up business. Make the most of your sale by advertising it online, setting a time limit to get customers acting fast, focusing on saving on shipping and warranties in addition to your wares and savings upgrades to help customers save as much as possible while still making a profit.
Be sure that you and your business are prepared for an effective marketing season during the holidays. It can most certainly be the most wonderful time of the year if you plan for it.
