Take Your Seasonal Marketing Strategy to the Next Level
Whether you’ve recently started a small business or have pivoted your sales tactics for your company because of COVID-19, you’re probably thinking about how to increase holiday sales.
It’s approaching fast, and now’s the perfect time to start your seasonal marketing strategy so you can bring shoppers through your doors or to your website.
But first… understand the holidays are going to look very different this year.
I talked about how your customers’ purchasing decisions this fall/winter may look completely foreign from what they did last year a few weeks ago in a previous blog.
Now I’d like to show you how to increase your holiday sales locally, so here are four ways you can enhance your digital and physical presence:
1. Create content with a local twist.
If you’re setting up your store for the holidays, consider festive “Shop local” signage that reminds people to support their community businesses.
Because many consumers will be staying home this year, spending time with a select few family members or setting up socially distant visits with friends and neighbours, it’s important to provide valuable online content, too.
According to Google, 35% of Canadians are finding in-store shopping difficult because of COVID-19. I’m predicting that a lot of people are going to hunker down and do their gift shopping online, rather than venturing out to stores.
So that’s good news if you have an eCommerce store. But people don’t just want to scroll through product page after product page. They want to see articles, videos, reviews and testimonials.
Consider creating articles that focus on local activities and even mention other small businesses (that you don’t compete with!). For example, you could write a blog on five fun things to do in your city this season, linking to a small business that sells holiday goodies or crafts. Then, write a call to action that links back to your own product or service as a great gift idea.
2. Partner with a local charity.
Many small business owners donate time and/or money to causes that align with their values. In addition to being a kind thing to do, partnering with a charity can also make your customers more likely to purchase gifts from you.
You could donate a certain percentage of each purchase or give an item for every item purchased. Setting up a gift-wrapped donation bin at your business allows you to show your customers how many items you’re giving away, or you could post photos and numbers online.
Your customers (and you) will be supporting a worthy cause, and you’ll also be promoting your small business.
3. Spruce up your store or website/social media profiles.
Just like you might decorate your home with garlands and stockings, decking out your store and/or website and social media accounts can create a festive feeling.
Consider using local decor to support other small businesses and reinforce the messaging to shop local.
If you’re doing your decorating online, update your profile imagery and posts with some virtual holiday decor that has a local flavour. Think beyond a snowman and include a snowy local mountain, or a shot of holiday lights at a tourist attraction near you.
Now, when you share your discounts, sales, promos and well-crafted content online, your followers will see something familiar.
The more you can create an ecosystem of content and relevant imagery that works together, the more you’ll increase your brand awareness, engagement, leads and sales.
~~~~~
READ: Your 2020 Holiday Marketing Guide for Business
Wondering how to increase holiday sales? COVID-19 is a global crisis that has affected economies, supply chains and retailers around the world. Your customers’ purchasing decisions this fall/winter may look completely different from what they did last year.
Those tried-and-true tactics that worked for us before may not anymore. No matter what type of small business you have, it’s crucial to realize that because the retail landscape has shifted, your holiday marketing plan must too.
Read more on our website
~~~~~
4. Host an in-store or virtual event.
If you can swing an in-store event with proper social distancing protocols in place, it can be a jolly way to get people into your business. You can offer refreshments, entertainment, and private shopping experiences to make your customers feel special.
Now, I predict we’ll see fewer in-store gatherings this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make events part of your seasonal marketing strategy.
Think about how you can tie your product or service into the event. What about a virtual wine night with a highlight of your three most popular gifts? Or an interactive kids’ party that shows them how to make presents using your products?
Use your imagination, and utilize a free tool like Facebook Live or a Facebook Group to host your online event. Before the party, you can email your subscribers invitations, share the news on social media and tell people about it on your website.
There’s no doubt the holiday season is going to be different this year. When you’re considering how to increase holiday sales, it’s essential to use epathetic marketing techniques to connect with your audience in an authentic way.
Also, it’s important to reassure people you’re taking the necessary COVID-19 precautions, whether that’s cleaning your store a certain number of times per day or sanitizing shipments before they go out.
By tailoring your seasonal marketing strategy to fit people’s new habits and preferences, you’ll be set up for success-now and throughout 2021.
Do you have any ideas on how to increase holiday sales locally? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
To your business success,
Susan
Susan Friesen, founder of the award-winning web development and digital marketing firm eVision Media, is a Web Specialist, Business & Marketing Consultant, and Social Media Advisor. She works with entrepreneurs who struggle with having the lack of knowledge, skill and support needed to create their online business presence.
cdiabetes
servinails
louisville-institute
matherinstitute
kauffmaninc
fckremen
prom988
shaolin
ebrelsford
lvgo
webcomme
solascriptura-tt
lulisweetshop
ihk-rlp
tjkaobo
kcrea
livesuper
konyadakihurdaci
curvesdesigns
tarterusa
wildrice
cookieman
newsify-template
newsontheblock
jslw
antpb
lightmap
chef-clean
houseinvestspain
hutterer-lechner
frischeminze
monamedia
gyomaendrod
nationalphlebotomy
unserekurve
coolwebdesign
glami
foxnetsoft
millenniumrunning
178
fireload
codibly
adelaantoinette
wxdown
sitte
jamesriver
lixin
ftsafe
misstiina
masuno
rosemay
mbj
gosu
bbqpitboys
metropolitanspin
icium
birthcompanions
lyceeconnecte
carlosblanco
backspaceforward
mysitehosted
zhifubao
studisoft
visualhotels
cymbolism
dvi
freme-project
bet-bonus-code
decagon
orcloud
healingvineharbor
disney
compteur
cleversite
tode1
streetstylis
design-essentials
flyingfire
moprairie
script-news
wdknd
iatuc0e2xz
3guysandaflick
688111q
gingerpixel
coverlettersandresume
rhodesstate
navyleague
mejorensayo
basisgemeinde
cortex-dental
viatechnik
pgsoftgacor
andymci
onemindatwork
thenaturalhistorymuseum
escort5
vintagecooking
mdwb
psykologtidningen
swishandstitch
expreader5g
deriooldokter
shmockup
duchessdior
droitsdelapersonne
myeyesopen
ohnoo
appmastery
yikedkj
ringstar
questoapp
petes
seejapan
veronicasuperguide
johannesburgreviewofbooks
learntoreadjax
hermandades-de-sevilla
xbodybucurestidristor
suomi-s
thehostingtool
lhckj10
africans
customer-connect
maus-medizintechnik
dca-dcpr
okapay
sonymusic
redebip
shopwell
fowomen
hcshuangshi
unitedfriends
dadongcn
unum
bstech
bloger
chinachip
ovalsec
dealernetwork
luisegonzalez
arts-martiaux-paris
dns
nventify
energymed
incotermplained
ascb
allo119
academweb
nimbletechno
spikyblimp
cg65
hostyler
permitshanghai
nordhavn
fineartshippers
foxandfire
aliro
pos-a
artbychelseahart
chat-foryou
gorodinvestorov
lapalmemagazine
pocosdecaldas
rili
lument
gnomadhome
privatklinik-goldenes-kreuz
weeklymagazinespure
webdesignblog
egranthalaya
food-pronet
censis
virgilsbbq
renew-power
canet
minnetonkamn
goldcoastmedia
vintagebycrystal
currituckclubcommunity
sonybiotechnology
homeserve
pinkappleofficial
curryketchup
rainbird
elmundoenmispies
gad
ya500
burgerking
foren-city
vordermanvw
brainsys
icalliances
schneider-electric
decathlon
ednoce
deusarodrigues
x-pole
buildllc
mediathink
isventi
termyszaflary
pregnancyandbaby
discoveraltai
michaelsverlag
destinationbw
727418
maglula
nordwestschweiz
markes
juneteenthhouston
biorfarm
warnermusic
m-centrum
tilli
bobbingwidewebdesign
konicaminolta
visitlier
vulkan777
nestlecafe
mrtigra
aegis
ivorycoat
fitogsund
free-pokies
hintmedia
virtualdesktopmanagement
progetis
nsii
versatilephd
mrcolle
romlex
pdnco
uncompressed
lvisdataset
s-ic
koreagrandsale
drieam
oliverrussell
nrtwc
proyectosmonclova
slotufa99
biosphere-expeditions
foto-tw
entf
uanggesit
genesiscreative
zeryen
revelo
bil
apartemusic
chtozh
webuybrokenscreens
bigshotmarketing
ligue2
kleemeier
liberalconspiracy
autify
92293kf
edugusarov
spherovision
net-developers
61at
style4-nature
hotstar
cassiaowen
thewintershow
cam-free99
tribalbusinessnews
rodimedia
evolveo
carlosmalmagro
compbiomed
lilywed
cio
dr-bet-
ritainpz
vprobroadcast
microchemlab
equimai
58001647
tasteofsoul
deernz
kanglong
mernik
una-campaign
normandie-antiquite
urbanresearch
malente
leszyd
zoznamspravy
wearepioneergroup
nimsassociates
51bonjour
farmasi-czech
codea
ritaus
onthedot
plusnews
starreseller
8v6
nutritionday
marisa-ramirez
articlemarketingnews
appoly
digitalsolutions
pettihome
paypoint
co99
fancygoals
roadflow
gammastack
samhunt
vietnamarch
moltn
blueatlasmarketing
betterbikeshare
dipul
alexanderckaufman
thesweetestthingblog
counterterrorismblog
cesca
bxweb
laing
18818688900
stemfuse
hiraodai
agencybell
cartexcel
enrt
magazzino
hebeeb
christianjustin
nj-cbt
bitbear
szecowater
dtcp
klipsator-pro
iowafarmertoday
daohangtx
selden
addictech
voixly
magventure
stmoritz2017
dentelledelune
dunderverk
xuexiao020
synathos
happyhumans
pixelgram
positiivarit
adasandiloh
clubsandparties
espnmagart
xiyijiguicj
imi
sfoxstudio
milodsoundholswen
aytacnakliyat
zzj238
gdfsgcpfsc
baato
artwice
idplywoodmachine
rigov
welovescandi
websthatrock
lowcybramek
boldking
jcll
unleash
latamdigitalmarketing
websites4u
revistanews
wpdrs
statevoices
barclaysccr
wsd
matrix
mediagpx
bogotaboe
euscf
jasonscottmontoya
sjo777
sky-live
ubimedia
foodmakers
acn
csdps
goldwindglobal
kravanprinting
thedame
affilired
heuneburg
danaherintegrity
100shuju
jcakes
pdffactory
megandaviesmusic
reikiterapiasenergeticas
bubbahead
forexexpo
whitstablerotary
meetrics
isong
sdyumeng
nsb
qexplus
contourbygettyimages
sportcity74
carta
sofoca
blhere
n15zev3w
gulfcoastjam
milkjapan
shazzam-media
premierline
datingladies
pro-technology
xaydungnhandat
supermacs
sjzswjt
golfersland
ecta
sagame-tiger711
typographyseoul
mpa
