Holiday Season Survival Guide for Business Owners
For business owners, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year and the busiest. The weeks leading up to Christmas have the potential to drive the most profitable sales season of the year. But between the rush of...
For business owners, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year and the busiest. The weeks leading up to Christmas have the potential to drive the most profitable sales season of the year. But between the rush of customers, holiday campaigns to launch, and end-of-year reports to write, it’s all too easy to get overwhelmed without adequate preparation. Use these tips to survive (and thrive) during the holiday sales season.
Know your dates. While it may seem like a no-brainer, keeping track of critical dates can prove difficult when you’re in the thick of things. Creating a running list of key dates will help you manage the build-up to each major event.
Make a list, check it twice. Organization is essential year-round, but it’s extra important to stay on top of your agenda over the holidays. Things like parties, shopping, and family time can pop up unexpectedly, and you don’t want to have to cancel on a client at the last minute because you didn’t write the appointment down. Set up meetings in advance, enter everything into your Google calendar or planner, and don’t overbook yourself on a whim. Blocking off more time than you’d typically need will help you manage the whirlwind.
Promote, promote, promote. Offering special deals or products over the holidays does no good if nobody knows about them. Launch a coordinated marketing campaign across your social media accounts, update your website to include any promotions, or consider advertising locally. Giveaways and contests are also a cost-effective way to engage with your customers and bring in new business.
Put yourself in your customers’ shoes. Most business owners rely on data to predict what will and will not sell over the holidays, but it’s worth taking a step back to think like a holiday shopper. What matters most to them this year? What would spare them a headache? Chat with clients to find out their holiday pain points, then base your strategies around making the season that much easier for them.
Give yourself a break. As difficult as it might seem, setting boundaries and sticking to a set schedule for yourself will make a massive difference during the holidays. Spend time with friends and family, eat some cookies, and relax with a seasonal beverage-of-choice.
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