The holiday season is a crucial time for businesses, especially small businesses. It is estimated that Americans spend over $600 billion during the holidays, so it is important to make sure your business is prepared to capitalize on this spending. The Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce has put together a list of special marketing tips that will help you make the most of the holiday season.

Create a Gift Guide and Share it via PDF

One of the best ways to market your business during the holidays is to create a gift guide. This is a great way to show off your products or services in a festive way and give your customers some ideas for gifts. Once you've created your gift guide, share it via email or on social media. You can even create multiple gift guides in one file and separate your pages into multiple PDFs. Then you can offer each as a download on your website.

Post Interactive Web Content

Another great way to market your business during the holidays is to post useful and interactive content on your blog or website. This could include things like holiday recipes, gift ideas, DIY projects, or anything else that would be useful or interesting to your target audience. Not only will this help drive traffic to your site, but it will also keep people coming back for more.

Run Giveaways or Contests

Who doesn't love a good giveaway? During the holidays, consider holding a giveaway or contest on your social media channels. This is a great way to engage with your followers and get people talking about your brand. Just be sure to make the rules clear and easy to follow.

Invest in Holiday Packaging

If you sell physical products, then holiday packaging is a must. People love receiving beautifully wrapped gifts, so make sure your packaging reflects the holiday spirit. You can even use special packaging as an upsell opportunity during checkout. Just be sure to keep it consistent with your brand identity.

Engage on Social Media

Social media is always a great way to connect with your customers, but it's especially important during the holidays. Make sure you're active on all of your channels and posting regularly. You can even run special holiday-themed campaigns or contests. Just make sure you're staying true to your brand voice.

Reward Loyal Shoppers

The holidays are also a great time to reward your loyal customers with discounts, free shipping, or other perks. This is a great way to show them how much you appreciate their business and encourage them to continue shopping with you in the future. Just be sure not to alienate new customers in the process!

Join Forces with Local Businesses

One of the best ways to support local businesses is by partnering with other local businesses in your area. This could include things like co-hosting an event, cross-promoting each other's businesses, or offering joint discounts or giveaways. Whatever you do, make sure it's mutually beneficial for both parties involved.

Support a Local Charity

Another great way to build goodwill during the holidays is by partnering with or donating to a local charity. This is a great way to give back to the community and get people talking about your brand at the same time. Just be sure to choose a charity that aligns with your values as a business.

Host a Unique Event

The holidays are also a great time to host a unique event at your business. This could be anything from an ugly sweater party to a holiday-themed workshop or class. Get creative and think outside the box! The sky's the limit when it comes to holiday events. Just make sure you promote it well in advance so people have time to plan accordingly.

The holidays are an important time for small businesses, so make sure you're using these special marketing tips to get ahead this season. From creating a gift guide and posting useful content, to hosting unique events and supporting local charities, there are plenty of ways you can stand out from the crowd this holiday season. So get out there and start promoting!

If you’re ready to grow your business with the help of great local resources and partnerships, join the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce.