Maximizing Your Sales During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is just around the corner. If you own a business, it's even closer than it seems. Why? This is your big opportunity to start a holiday campaign that will drive business through your doors for the small window of time when people WANT to spend money! It doesn't matter what type of business you own: retail, services, online, brick-and-mortar. It doesn't matter what you sell: shoes, legal services, lawn services, dishes, makeup, cleaning services. Don't miss this opportunity to promote your business.

Holiday Promotion
Consider what your clients like to buy from you. Maybe you sell a lot of sweaters. Or hedge trimming services. Then think about what is harder to sell. Maybe no one's buying belts or edging services. Consider pairing up something that sells well with a "bonus" of the item or service that doesn't usually sell as well. This bonus can also be a new item that hasn't gotten a lot of publicity. You can raise your price slightly from what you'd charge for the popular item:

"Christmas Craze! Purchase any hedge trimming ($60) service and get a free edging!"
"Buy any sweater and get a free belt with purchase!"

The customer's perception is they are getting a bonus for something they would purchase anyway.

Giving the Gift
Another great holiday idea is to offer gift cards with specific packages (I did this with one of my clients and have to attribute the idea to be hers). For, say, $30, your clients can get a gift card good for a facial or a massage. There are also cards for $50 and $80 with higher-priced services (still a great discount from the regular price). Since people are in the gift-giving mode, these make holiday shopping easy (and they just might snag one for themselves at those prices).

Set Up a Networking Sale
Many networking groups hold a shopping event where local businesses can display and sell their wares before the holidays. Keep in mind, people go to these events to shop, so you can't go wrong in attending these. Use whatever holiday promotions you've decided on (gift cards, get something free, discount) at these events.

Don't Forget to Advertise
All of your promotions are useless if no one knows about them. Send a postcard or letter to your clients in the mail or email letting them know about your specials. Make them feel like they were hand-picked to be told about this promotion. People shop where they feel special and important.

Put an ad in the paper, on television, on the internet…whatever method works for you. The idea is to make this a "limited time only" situation, which will make people rush to your business to spend their money.

And get started NOW! Keep in mind implementing any of these ideas things takes time, so you're already losing valuable time in the countdown to Christmas!

Taking advantage of the fact that shoppers are generous with their pocketbooks during the holidays will ensure that you get more exposure in your community, which will keep customers coming back year 'roun