Get Festive: 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

The holiday season is crunch time for small businesses. Are you a new small business owner looking for some ideas on how to market your small business this holiday season? You've come to the right place! From creating a PDF gift guide to investing in holiday packaging, here are 10 holiday marketing ideas for small businesses courtesy of the Palisade Chamber of Commerce.

Idea #1: Create a PDF Gift Guide

A great way to market your small business during the holidays is to create a gift guide. This is especially effective if you sell a wide variety of products. It’s even better to create a guide saved as a PDF. Not only can customers view this document online and on their smartphones, you can embed links directing people to sales pages on your website. Not only is using PDFs convenient for customers, you can easily and quickly edit the PDF to update info as time passes. First,  learn how to use this PDF editor online.

By creating a gift guide, you can make it easy for people to find the perfect present for their loved ones. Consider category groupings to make it easier for shoppers. For example, a page for hostess gifts, a page of gifts for him or her, a page for kids ... you get the idea.

Idea #2: Provide Fun Content

People are looking for content that is both useful and interactive during the holiday season. That's why it's a good idea to share blog posts, infographics, quizzes, and other types of content that will get people engaged. Not sure what kind of content would be appropriate for your business? Take a look at your analytics to see what kinds of content your audience has been engaging with the most over the past year.

Idea #3: Look to Giveaways or Contests

Everyone loves a good giveaway or contest, especially during the holidays. This is a great way to increase engagement and spread awareness about your small business. Just make sure that the prize is something that your target audience would actually want.

Idea #4: Choose Holiday Packaging

Investing in festive packaging is a great way to make your products feel more special during the holiday season. This is a simple but effective way to show your customers that you're thinking about them and that your business goes the extra mile.

Idea #5: Use Social Media to Engage

Social media should be a key part of your holiday marketing strategy. This is a great platform for sharing holiday content, running giveaways or contests, and promoting special offers. Whatever you do, maintain consistency across platforms. This means if you offer a giveaway on your Instagram page, it should be the same on your Facebook page.

Idea #6: Reward Loyalty

Your loyal customers are the ones who will keep coming back year after year, so it's important to show them some love during the holidays. One way to do this is by offering exclusive discounts and deals that are only available to loyal customers. You could also send out personalized thank-you cards or give them early access to new products or services. 

Idea #7: The Power of Partnerships

If you partner with other businesses in your community, you can reach a whole new group of people with your holiday marketing efforts. For example, you could team up with another business to offer joint discounts or sponsor an event together. This is also a great way to build relationships with other businesses in your area.

Idea #8: Host A Unique Event

Hosting a unique event is a great way to stand out from other businesses during the busy holiday season. This doesn't have to be anything major—it could be something as simple as an ugly sweater party or a holiday cookie decorating workshop. Whatever you do, make sure it's something that will appeal to your target audience.

Idea #9: Support A Local Charity

Giving back is always important, but it's especially important during the holidays! There are lots of ways you can support a local charity, such as hosting a food or clothing drive at your business or donating part of your proceeds to a local organization. You could also volunteer your time or services if you have the capacity to do so.

Idea #10: Offer Free Shipping

During the holidays, people are often looking for ways to save money whenever possible, and one of the best ways you can do that is by offering free shipping on all orders. This is an especially effective marketing tactic if you sell products that people tend to order online, such as clothes or accessories. Just make sure that you promote this offer prominently on your website and social media channels so people are aware of it.

The holidays are an important time for small businesses, but they don't have to be stressful! By following these 10 tips, you can easily create an effective holiday marketing strategy that will help promote your business and boost sales during this busy season.

Join the Palisade Chamber of Commerce to network with other local entrepreneurs and access valuable resources for helping your business grow.