Here are 6 ideas for you to prepare and grow your small business during the Holiday Season:
1) Set Sales Goals You can’t know what you need to prepare for the holiday season without knowing your goals. Sit down and carve out goals for hitting different targets along the way from now until the end of the year. Define your goals as the minimum goals you need to reach, your expected goals, and your stretch goals. Don’t only define these goals in terms of revenue. Add any other goals you may have such as customer engagement and social media.
2) Create a Holiday-Focused Marketing Campaign Use our holiday-crazed society as a benefit to your business. We’re programmed to LOVE holidays, especially the present buying season. Don't be shy! Let your target audience know that you have what they need and since you’re a small business, you actually care about them, so you’ll do it better than the big guys.
3) Make a Plan to Stock Up on Extra Inventory You’ve done your best to anticipate the crowds, their needs, and be prepared, but was it enough? Make sure you have a plan to purchase extra inventory quickly if your holiday sales are better than expected.
4) Decorate Your Windows and Store, if this applies to you Even the “grinches” of the world secretly love the holidays, and they’ll love coming into your festive store. Take some time to decorate your storefront for the season-or, decorate your website!
5) Update your Website and use Social Media Be prepared-create ahead. The better experience your customers will have, the less stressed you’ll be about an unexpected rush.
6) Invest in New Software Have you been eyeing new software? Whether you’re in need of updated bookkeeping, inventory tracking, or employee management systems. The holidays are busy enough, buy yourself this early holiday gift and enjoy the perks of your business run smoother and spend more time with your family, friends, or alone with some peace & quiet.
Happy Holidays to you!