Planning for the Holiday Season

Ross started a fire this morning. I guess I hadn't thought about what that meant for our kids. Its cold out and I wanted to be warm. For my kids it meant so much more, it meant Halloween and Winter and Christmas. As I sat there at the warm of the fire I started to think about the little things. It's the little things (like started the first fire of the season) in our life that trigger the planning of the bigger things. As much as I don't like how the big box stores are all ready putting christmas decorations out, I understand it.

How are you planning for this Holiday season? Here are a few marketing tips for the holiday season.

1. Start Early:

Ever wonder why when you walk into Walmart you see the Holiday decorations in October? They want you to start thinking about buying early. Think about doing a "pre-holiday" promotion. With Black Friday becoming so ridiculous (in my opinion) think about providing your Black Friday promotion before or even available a couple of days after. Start your Holiday advertising early.

2. Customer Appreciation

Now for us service providers that don't have a retail shop it can be a little different. Consider having a customer appreciation month in October or an offer to those past clients that refer new folks to you.

3. Gift Packages

If you are a service provider (spas, photography, entertainment, ect.) consider having Holiday gift packages.

4. Partnership

Consider teaming up with some like minded businesses to provide a something unique, for example have a spa gift card with a box of chocolates from the local chocolatier, or flowers from the local florist, or even some wine from a local winery. Could you do a vendor blender with some other business similar to yours.