5 Holiday Marketing Ideas For Your Small Business (That Aren’t Black Friday Sales)
Since when did holiday sales come to mean practically giving away your products and services?
I am not Amazon. I am a small business. I cannot afford to offer deep Black Friday discounts (which btw are they even discounts anymore?) And I also can’t throw tons of money into holiday-themed social media ads (especially with all the holiday ad upcharging.)
My rates are my rates for a reason. Does this sound like you?
If your rates are exactly what they need to be to run your business, then you absolutely shouldn’t risk disrupting that balance to cater to some arbitrary, societal pressure.
Still, holiday marketing matters – because it just makes sense.
Demand is higher than it is at any time of the year. There’s a sense of urgency in every purchase because there’s a set deadline to make it by. And the holiday spirit inspires us all to spend a little more than we usually would.
If you want to make the most of marketing this holiday season with your business but DON’T want to slash prices and participate in ad ick, this guide is for you.
Here are 5 holiday marketing ideas for your small business (and there’s not a giveaway or Black Friday sale in sight.)
1. Curate a Gift Guide
Curating a gift guide for your audience is another fun way to create trust and – if you use affiliate links – make a little extra money.
You don’t have to make a list for their list – and by that, I mean creating a list that will suit potentially the people they have to buy presents for. Just make it with your target audience in mind. Just last year, it was reported that 57% of us get gifts for ourselves while we’re supposed to be shopping for our friends and loved ones.
To curate a gift guide for your specific audience:
Step into their mindset and choose products you think your target audience will enjoy.
Use the gift guide to promote a product or service you offer, but don’t make it the sole focus.
Include any affiliate links (it’s easy to get started with Amazon) and detailed explanations for why each product is so great.
Then simply share a quick link to your gift guide on social media and Pinterest.
If you’re working on email list building, you can even have them submit their email address to download the gift guide.
2. Touch Base With Your Email List
The holidays are all about getting in touch with the people who matter to us – and that includes your clients, customers, and email subscribers.
Email is the most important marketing tool you have. 61% of people prefer email as a means of hearing from the brands they shop with. That’s good news for you, but here’s the other good news: Email is cheap, and it isn’t subject to any algorithm.
So if you have been neglecting your email list, the holidays are a great time to start showing back up in inboxes. Simply let them know how thankful you are for all of their support and send your sincerest holiday wishes to them. That alone can make a difference.
3. Give Back To The Community
If you are clear on your brand’s values, you can really support them during the holiday season.
Look for ways to give back to the community by participating in charity drives or functions. It doesn’t have to cost money. Simply find a cause that resonates with your business’s mission, vision, and values and volunteer to pitch in.
4. Make Your Social Media Festive
It’s free and easy to create seasonal posts. Try creating a Reel or short videos of your products among holiday decorations and with holiday music in the background. Make a fun video with your team to a holiday song. (You can even use our space to make them!)
These fun things get attention on your brand and humanize you with your audience, building that like/know/trust factor with them.
5. Start a Countdown
One fun way to promote your business on social media is by creating an advent calendar or 12 Days of Christmas posting schedule.
For each day of the countdown, showcase a product, service, feature, team member, etc. (let your creativity run wild!) People will get to know your business better, learn more about your products, and hold you top of mind when they’re ready to make a purchase.
The Most Important Thing
Most importantly, holiday marketing should be fun. If it’s not even a little fun, it’s probably not going to be effective. Get out there, get creative, and do your own thing.
Want to find a growing community of creatives and entrepreneurs doing their own thing just like you? You can follow along on Instagram. We’d love to see you there.