5 strategies to navigating the 2021 holiday season for small businesses

Whether you’re offering your products and services online, in-store or both, the holiday season has arrived. This is the perfect time to reach new customers, boost your bottom line and achieve your goals for the year. To help you stand out from the crowd as you compete with other small businesses in your area and large competitors, we’ve put together a few helpful tips to get you through the busiest season of the year.

1. Decorate your storefront

This may seem obvious, but decorating your storefront with lights or other holiday-inspired decorations will get customers in the door and may even get you a mention on social media. Get creative!

2. Offer sales and specials for the holidays

Even if you aren’t in retail or the food and beverage industry, you can still offer specials. You can offer limited discounts through the end of the year and holiday packages for your goods and services to your loyal customers, or set up a Groupon deal to attract new customers. 

To attract a wider range of customers, make sure to promote your sales and specials on local bulletin boards, put signs on your brick-and-mortar stores, or even update your website or business listing.

3. Give back to your community

Build community goodwill by donating a portion of your products or services to causes you care about. This will help you participate more actively in your area and get you face to face with a new network of prospective customers.

One way to find out about opportunities to give back to your community is to search in GoFundMe, look up your local Patch board, and get in touch with your local chamber of commerce about drives in your area.

4. Send out a year-end newsletter

Sending a short newsletter during the holidays can help you stay top of mind with your current customers. You could include information about holiday hours, photos of new merchandise or offerings, and any coupons or discounts you may be offering. You also can use the holidays as an opportunity to connect with your customers on a personal level, like a holiday card for family and friends. If you don’t have a list of customers, you could also print out your newsletter and stick it in your neighbors’ mailboxes! 

Use free graphic design websites like Canva to find templates that will really make your newsletter pop. 

5. Use your social media to your advantage

Small businesses are always competing for the customers’ attention and social media marketing can be an incredible tool when you’re trying to reach a specific demographic. Social media marketing is particularly useful for small business owners who don't have a ton of personnel or funds to invest in marketing, and yet simple enough that they can utilize to promote their business online. Give it a try this year!

If you don’t have an online presence, check out our quick guide to building an online presence to get started today!