The year is quickly flying past and the holidays will be here before we know it. If your business hasn’t started getting prepped for the holidays, it’s time to put together a marketing and sales plan.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Customers celebrate more than Thanksgiving and Christmas
The two tie together well: Black Friday sales start the day after Thanksgiving and signal the beginning of the Christmas buying season. But you also have customers who celebrate Hanukkah (which runs from Nov. 28-Dec. 6) and Kwanzaa (Dec. 26-Jan. 1). Even Halloween is becoming more popular; check all the decorations in your neighborhood for proof.
Your website must be ready for the rush
Relevant banner ads and offers should already be in your production pipeline. Put together themed landing pages with specials that pull in new customers and keep regulars coming back for more. If you sell your product online, make sure your website is responsive for people who want to make purchases using their mobile devices.
Your social should be warm and inviting
After everything we have been through the past couple of years, we all could appreciate a lighter approach. Make your social posts warm and fuzzy: images of snow-covered fields, families getting together at the dinner table, the boss wearing a Santa hat. The possibilities are endless. Not everything can be a Norman Rockwell painting, but this is a great time of year to connect with your customers in a meaningful way.
You must create a sense of urgency
If you aren’t already doing this all year, now is the time to act. Set up limited time offers (10 percent off a product or service until next Monday). Ship emails to your customer list letting them know your latest sale won’t last forever. Make sure that your print and electronic ads include calls to action.
Be welcoming to small spenders
Kids want to buy gifts for teachers. Offices have Secret Santa drawings with spending limits. Golf buddies and book club members want to get things for their friends. Your advertising should include gifts that go for $20 or less. We’re all going to have our wallets open the next couple of months but not every purchase can be top dollar.
West Press’ talented staff is here to help you each step of the way — from graphic design to printing to mailing services to large format to website development. Contact West Press or your Account Executive at 520-624-4939 today.