The holiday season is upon us once again! For small business owners, this time of year can be both hectic and overwhelming. There are so many things to think about and prepare for! But don't worry, we're here to help. Here's a checklist from the Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce of everything you need to do to make sure your small business is ready for the holiday season.
A Storefront to Remember
Thimble notes that a top priority this season for brick-and-mortar stores is to decorate your storefront. This will help put customers in the holiday spirit and make them more likely to come into your store. But don't go overboard, you don't want your store to look too cluttered. And make sure you take down all your decorations as soon as the holidays are over!
The Big Rush
The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year for businesses, Thryv points out, so it's important to be prepared. Make sure you have enough inventory on hand to meet customer demand. You might also want to consider hiring temporary staff to help out during this busy time. And if you're running any promotions or sales, make sure you advertise them prominently.
Seasonal Hires
If you're thinking about hiring seasonal staff, now's the time to do it! Start by placing ads in local newspapers or online job boards. Once you've received applications, narrow down your candidates and set up interviews. And don't forget to train your new employees on company policies and procedures before they start work!
Offer a Gift Guide
If you have yet to try one as a brick-and-mortar retailer, you may want to consider a gift guide this year. A gift guide can help shoppers to find the perfect presents while supporting your business. Plus, it's a great way to promote your products and build buzz for your brand.
Marketing for the Holiday Season
Even before your store is decorated and you're stocked up on inventory, you want to get a headstart on marketing your business for the holidays. Send out emails or postcards with holiday greetings and promotional information as soon as possible. And don't forget about social media; this is a great way to reach potential customers. Use hashtags, post photos, and run contests or giveaways. Whatever you do, make sure your marketing stands out from the rest!
In addition to traditional marketing methods, creating PDFs with holiday promotional information can be a great way to reach potential customers. And if you need to add pages to the PDF with additional information, it’s possible to do so with an online tool. In eight easy steps you can add pages via drag and drop, then download. These can be emailed or mailed directly to people on your mailing list. You can also post them on your website or social media pages.
Give Back To The Community
The holidays are a time when many people like to give back to their community. If you're looking for ways to do this, consider donating products or gift cards to local charities or hosting a food drive at your store. You could also volunteer your time at a local soup kitchen or food bank. Whatever you do, be sure to also mention your efforts on social media. This is a great way to show the work you're doing, and it can encourage your patrons to do the same.
Lure Last-Minute Shoppers
Let's face it: there will always be last-minute shoppers during the holidays. So how do you lure them into your store? By offering special deals and promotions, of course! Advertise these prominently in your store window and online. You could also offer gift-wrapping services or extended hours during the week leading up to Christmas Day.
To get ahead of the holiday rush, it's crucial to start preparing now. By committing to some of the suggestions above, like marketing early, decorating and offering a gift guide, small business owners can stay ahead of the curve and position their businesses to end the season on a high note.
If you’re ready to grow your business with the help of great local resources and partnerships, join the Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce.
