Holiday ideas to boost business momentum in the New Year

So the holidays officially kick off on Friday, November 25, 2016 with Black Friday in the United States. And though this major sale event is largely a US activity, thanks to the border less world in which we live, consumers from all around the world can participate in Black Friday along with Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday (all US based shopping holidays).

In your little corner, I would hope that your holiday promotions have started or will start soon but what are you doing after the holidays?  It is worth a thought because while the holidays provide more than enough ‘busy-ness’ for your business, if you are not careful, all of that interest in your business can fade after December 25.

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The following are some ideas that I believe that you can use to bolster your holiday promotions and boost your business momentum in the New Year:

-          Print and distribute calendars – This is so not new.  Business of all types have printed and distributed calendars to their customers since the beginning of time.  But there are new ways to use your business’s calendar to boost your business.  Firstly, the calendar must include all of your business information, including both online and offline contacts.  Importantly, the calendar must include notable dates for your business through the New Year especially sales periods, special promotions and anniversary celebrations.  This of course will help your customers to plan their shopping particularly if they are repeat customers.  You can also use each month to offer special incentives such as discounts on particular products, for e.g. a Hardware can offer 10% discount on all paints in January or 5% discount on plumbing fixtures in February etc.,

-          Extend sales and promotion beyond the holidays – Christmas comes with a buzz of excitement which cannot be matched by any other shopping season but there still is a large contingent of consumers who prefer to shop after the buzz.  Extending sales and promotions beyond the holidays helps your business to capitalize on those after holiday sales.  If it’s possible reduce prizes considerably and make a big deal about it during your Christmas promotions.  Other incentives that can be offered into the New Year include offering discounts on the nth purchase.  For example, after the 3^rd purchase or a single sale of a specific amount, the customer may qualify for a discount on a future purchase

-          Introduce a catalog/newsletter/flyer to customers – Don’t get frustrated because you are unable to afford mass media advertising.  In your own way, you can create inexpensive advertising and promotional material to target your customers.  Introducing a catalog or newsletter which can be distributed to online customers will help to keep your business at the top of the consumer’s mind.  There are numerous free platforms available online such as Madmimi, MadMag and Joomag.  Likewise issuing a flyer or receipt with a special offer to customers who visit your store will provide an incentive for customers to return and bring new friends along.

-          Capitalize on all opportunities to make contacts and build your customer base – And by all I mean all.  If you do a pop-up shop, participate in a fair or fill an online order, use the opportunity to grab basic information on your customer.  Their name, email and telephone number is critical; but if you have a face-to-face interaction with the customer, use it to ascertain the industry in which they work or specific workplace, enquire about their employer’s gift buying practices.  If the customer is open to making a link for you, follow-up!  Think about it, what’s the worst that can happen?!