If you’re like most Chamber Pros, you’re probably thinking about the upcoming holiday season and how you can help your community. But are your local businesses doing that yet?
Sure, maybe some have new merch ready for this fun time of year—”Hallothankmas.” But are they thinking about marketing for the holidays and increasing their social media presence now so that it starts paying off with more visibility when shopping heats up in the next few weeks?
Showing up on social media feeds takes consistent effort and now is the time to start and/or concentrate efforts in doing so.
Additionally, there is a growing consumer focus on small business due in part to the economy and the impact of natural disasters this year.
Consumers are much more aware of local businesses’ struggles, and many are earmarking money to spend locally. They understand that while there may be ways to buy cheaper products this holiday season, none will safeguard your area’s economy the way supporting local will. That’s why it’s the ideal time to encourage businesses to get visible now and make it a focus.
This goes beyond retail and restaurants.
Even businesses that don’t typically sell holiday gifts can ride the wave of seasonal momentum. Shoppers are spending on more than just presents—they’re preparing to entertain, look good for gatherings, spruce up their homes, and enjoy special holiday experiences and traditions.
Now is the perfect time to help businesses get out there.
(If you want more tools to help your business community, sign up for the Small Business Season Program.)
Share these suggestions with your local businesses:
Why October is the Perfect Time to Start a Holiday Digital Marketing Focus
While people often roll their eyes at pumpkin spice everything hitting the shelves September 1st, it’s never too early to start putting in the digital marketing work for the upcoming holidays. What you launch today will help you improve rankings and get more visibility when shopping peaks.
Readying a business for the holidays is not just a rallying call for retail. Many companies can benefit from addressing customer needs around this time of year.
Just keep in mind the stresses and what your customers are trying to accomplish for the upcoming holidays. Positioning your business to help with those needs can be very profitable. Here are a few examples outside of gift-giving:
- Dining out while shopping
- Sprucing up their look
- Decorating and organizing
- Fixing or cleaning their home
- Taking care of pets
- Traveling for the holidays (and all the headaches involved with it)
- Seeking help with stress, overwhelm, anxiety, or depression
No matter what kind of business you run, you can tap into this early holiday spending. Even if customers aren’t ready to buy now, doing your best to increase visibility in October will help your business stay top of mind when customers are ready to make a purchase.
Leverage the “Support Small Business” Movement
Small businesses are getting a lot of attention right now, and not just because it’s the holiday season. Due to economic challenges and natural disasters, there’s been a spotlight on the struggles many small businesses face. Increased awareness has translated into more people looking to support local and small businesses—they want to feel good about where they spend their money.
This is an ideal time to capitalize on that goodwill. Here are some strategies to help your business stand out and attract more customers this holiday season.
Digital Marketing Tips for Quickly Gaining Visibility
Ramp Up Your Social Media Presence
- Start posting regularly now to give social media algorithms time to boost your visibility. Consistency is key. If you’re not doing so already, start posting every day (or multiple times a day).
- Share behind-the-scenes content to show what goes into making your products or providing services. This personal view helps customers connect with you and your business.
- Use holiday-themed hashtags and trending topics to join relevant conversations.
- Create limited-time promotions or giveaways to encourage engagement.
- Help your customers get ahead by giving them checklists and other tools to assist them in their holiday planning.
- Offer flash sales to followers to condition them to watch your social media channels.
Refresh Your Website
- Ensure your website is updated with holiday hours, services, events, and special promotions. A clean, holiday-themed homepage can make a big impact and attract visitors.
- Add holiday-related keywords to your site for better search engine visibility (e.g., “holiday hair styles,” “seasonal home décor,” or “Christmas Cash” if you’re hiring for the holidays).
Prepare Email Marketing Campaigns
- Send out newsletters featuring holiday specials, gift guides, or tips for preparing for the season. (This is also a great time to collect email addresses if you haven’t already done so. Receiving discounts is one of the top reasons people sign up for newsletters. )
- Segment your email list to deliver targeted content to different groups of customers. For example, past clients might appreciate a “thank you” discount, while new subscribers could get a first-time buyer deal.
Build Local Partnerships
- Collaborate with other local businesses for cross-promotions. For example, a hair salon and a boutique could team up for a “Holiday Makeover” special, while a restaurant could offer dining discounts to customers of nearby shops.
- Participate in or sponsor local holiday events or charity drives to boost your visibility in the community.
- Communicate your holiday events and specials to the chamber so they can share them.
Marketing Strategies for Non-Traditional Holiday Businesses
If your business doesn’t sell traditional gifts that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from holiday marketing.
Here are a few suggestions on how your service-based business can get in on the holiday marketing hoopla:
Plumbers, Electricians, and Handymen
People want their homes in top shape before hosting guests. Promote your services for “pre-holiday home checkups” or offer a special holiday rate for emergency services.
Cleaning Services and Professional Organizers
Market your services as a “holiday home refresh.” Offer packages that include deep cleaning or home organization to help customers prepare for holiday hosting.
Babysitters and Pet Sitters
Many families need extra help with childcare or pet care to cover all the holiday events. Market yourself as a reliable service to free up parents’ time for holiday parties, shopping, or even cleaning without pets and kids under foot.
Having someone to walk and water pets on long days can be a relief that people don’t think about until you market your services accordingly. Instead of rushing home to do those things, your clients can leave it in your capable hands.
Financial Planners, Lawyers, and Insurance Companies
Your services are the perfect gift for someone who has everything. (You can offer gift certificates for “review packages,” where you will look over their existing coverages and make suggestions.) Normally, people wouldn’t think of these kinds of services during the holiday season, but peace of mind is a great gift (to oneself and a loved one), and you offer it.
Marketing Strategies for Holiday-Centric Businesses
If your business already aligns with the season, here’s how you can amplify your visibility:
Restaurants
Promote seasonal menus, holiday party reservations, or catering services. Partner with local stores to offer shopping day discounts (e.g., “Show your receipt from a local store and get 10% off!”).
Hair Stylists, Estheticians, and Beauty Service Pros
Encourage early bookings for holiday appointments. Offer promotions like “Book two services, get a holiday gift bag.” You can also offer a holiday special with themed scents, colors, or products. Offer “buy gift cards now and save later” discounts to get an influx of cash now and bookings in the new year.
Retail Boutiques
Create special in-store events like holiday trunk shows or style consultations. Incentivize sales by offering a small gift with purchase or a raffle for holiday shoppers.
Consumers are Ready to Spend—Make Sure They Spend With You!
Many shoppers are already thinking about the holidays. Start increasing your business’s visibility now, and you’ll position yourself to take advantage of the seasonal rush. Whether you’re a service-based business or a retail store, there’s a way to capture the holiday spirit and attract customers who are ready to spend.
Remember, supporting small businesses is on everyone’s mind right now. Buyers are aware of the many companies that have closed their doors this year. People want to feel good about their purchases, so shopping local is more appealing than ever. Focus on your community ties, humanize your business, make people feel good about buying from you, and start now. If you do, you’ll have a much more successful season.
(If you want more tools to help your business community, sign up for the Small Business Season Program.)
