Fall is upon us, and this means the fourth quarter and the holiday season will be here soon. When this time of year rolls around, there’s a lot to manage.
As an owner or manager, you’re likely preparing for several different things at once.
From building your holiday marketing strategy to determining how to decorate your storefront to hiring additional staff.
There’s so much to think about and accomplish during this time of year, and it’s easy to overlook the details once you get going.
So, it’s important to stay organized and create a checklist that will take you into the new year.
Below are several valuable tips for your business on how to get ready for the holidays.
Plan for Your Holiday Season Marketing
It’s never too early to start thinking about how you want to market your business to the holiday crowds.
A solid holiday marketing strategy alerts customers to what they can expect for the season, from new store hours to new products or services you may be offering for a limited time — and it pays to get creative.
Perhaps this is the year to boost your visibility using online video on your website, with Google Ads, or even on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram — even TikTok can help spread the word about your business.
Next, stay consistent and add a holiday banner to your website, Facebook page, or Twitter account.
Creating your own banner can be an easy afternoon DIY project when you tap into an online banner creator tool.
Look for something that offers easy-to-use templates, fun fonts, and compelling holiday season graphics or images.
Regardless of how you choose to market yourself, keep your competition in mind, and do your best to stand out from the crowd.
Find the Right Help
Finding the right people for seasonal work can be a time-consuming and overwhelming process, so it’s essential to stay patient as you go through the mountain of applications you may receive.
Remember that even seasonal employees need to be vetted and trained, so start your search sooner rather than later.
Ideally, you want your part-time holiday season staff trained and prepared to hit the ground running.
This way, you can handle the extra business you’re likely to receive.
They can even pitch in to help you update store displays and organize inventory before the seasonal uptick begins.
Plan to Decorate for the Holiday Season
Don’t be afraid to decorate for the holidays, both inside and outside your store — people respond positively to festive displays.
This is a great way to attract customers and increase visibility.
Exterior decorations will attract foot traffic, while seasonally appropriate decor inside will show your customers that you have the holiday spirit.
You can create a warm atmosphere that allows customers to feel comfortable while shopping in your store.
Look for oversized decorations to hang from the ceiling and in the windows or go with an inclusive holiday season theme.
Remember not to go too overboard with the decorations — you don’t want them to detract from your merchandise.
Think About the Community
Many small businesses help out the local community during the holidays in some way.
Whether it’s through holding a special sale or gathering toys or supplies for underprivileged families.
It’s a way of showing that you genuinely care about the community and the people who reside there.
Think about what role you want your company to play in your area and start planning now to reduce stress down the road.
If you are not sure where to begin, consider hiring a freelancer to help you organize a food or toy drive.
Keep in mind that you may need extra help if you’re having an in-store event, so consider this when making the schedule.
Although it’s undoubtedly an extra amount of work, prepping your business for the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful.
By preparing early and finding extra help upon whom you can depend, you can easily reach your end-of-year goals.
Remember to take care of yourself during this time, as the holidays can be overwhelming and exhausting for many business owners.
Get enough rest, eat right, and learn to say “no” when you can’t give your time or energy. After all, the holiday season is meant to make people happy — and that includes you.
Marissa Perez wants to share her knowledge with those who have decided to take on entrepreneurship. She co-created businesspop.net to provide insight and advice to those who aspire to succeed in owning a business.
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