7 Last-Minute Tips for Standing Out During the Holiday Season

For any retail small business owner, the holiday season can be a powerful opportunity for growth. How does a small retail business stand out among others looking to make a bigger splash? Here are seven last-minute tips to make the most of your holiday season, including advice and words of wisdom from community members of our Staples® SUCCEED: Small Business Network on LinkedIn.

01. Tap into the “Choose Local” Trend

Tip:

Consumer interest in local business is on the rise. It’s not too late to plan to participate in Small Business Saturday. Offer a special one-day discount to your email list and social media streams, and put up a sign advertising your promotion in your store’s window. Remind customers why they chose local by offering incentives, such as a complimentary gift card at checkout.

02. Go Above and Beyond

Tip:

Create a lasting impression. If you can deliver a holiday shopping experience that leaves a customer both satisfied and pleasantly surprised, your small business will have left a big mark.

For example, offer customers curbside service or VIP parking, or festive snacks at the register.

03. Don’t Just Use Social Media…Drive ItUse the holidays as an opportunity to connect with consumers by delivering timely and engaging content. For example, position your products as holiday must-haves by organizing them onto Pinterest boards, such as “Holiday Home Décor.”

And here’s how one SUCCEED member uses Facebook to boost holiday sales:

“Facebook is great for staying connected with past customers and talking to them

about upcoming holidays, gift ideas and ways to cherish friends and family.”

– Mike Allton, Content Marketing Consultant, SUCCEED Member

04. Equip YourTeam for SuccessTip:

Provide your team with the knowledge and resources they need to accommodate an increased level of sales. Make sure they’re aware of all of your promotions, and encourage them to really take their customer service to the next level during the holiday season.

“Don’t forget that you’ll have personal holiday obligations and

events that will take time away from managing your business. If

you are brick-and-mortar, you need to train your seasonal staff.If

you wait too long, they’ll be unprepared. They won’t know your

products and can cost you sales.”

– Keith James, Online Media Professional, SUCCEED Member

05. Think Outside the BoxTip:

Brainstorm a more creative approach to traditional high-volume sales days, so that you can avoid placing yourself in direct competition with bigger companies.

For example, if you own a retail store, try turning key shopping days into daylong events, featuring refreshments, games, raffles and other surprises for your customers. You even could host special hour-long promotions throughout the day to further incentivize customers to stop by your shop.

06. Grow Awareness for Your Business

Tip:

Position your small business so that it is the first destination that comes to mind when customers shop throughout the holiday season. Retail blogger and SUCCEED member Francesca Nicasio shares two of her top tips for growing consumer awareness during the holiday season:

Personalize your emails, taking into consideration factors like

location and purchase history. By making your emails more relevant to

customers, you’re more likely to capture their attention and their business.

Get involved in the community. Donate your business’s services or

products to a charity, or sponsor a local sports team.

07. Take a Momentto Say

“Thanks”

Tip:

Take a step back from sales and embrace the holiday spirit. Focus on connecting with the people who make your business possible.

“Even in this 24/7, plugged-in e-age we are living in, business is still

about relationships. What is also great about the holidays is that it is an

opportunity to connect with the folks who make your business possible.

If you are a retailer, of course this is the time of year to sell, but even if

you are not, this is the perfect time to solidify those relationships. Send a

card or gift, say hi and say thank you.”

– Steve Strauss, Senior USA TODAY Small Business Columnist, SUCCEED Member

Identify three of the tips in

this SlideShare that you can

accomplish over the next few

weeks. Create a plan for how

you will move forward and start

making the most of the rest of

the holiday season.

Advice InspirationActionJust because you haven’t

started planning yet doesn’t

mean the holiday season is a

wash for your business. There’s

still time left for you to capitalize

on seasonal spending.

“To WOW, you must differentiate

yourself, which means do

something a little unconventional

and innovative. You must do

something that’s above and

beyond what’s expected. And

whatever you do must have

an emotional impact on the

receiver.”

– Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com and Author of Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose

For more tips for a successful holiday season, visit the

Staples Small Business Hub.

> http://businessadvising.org/get-ready-holidays-tips-preparing-small-business/

> http://blog.vendhq.com/post/64901826824/6-keys-staying-top-mind-holiday-season

Sources