3 ways to market your small business during holidays (without breaking your budget)
Some businesses are already set up for success when holidays finally arrive. Card, candy and flower companies have strategies in place for when annual celebrations come around. Many businesses rely on the holidays to generate mass amounts of profit and revenue every year. Businesses that aren't in the "business" of the holidays, however, may have a harder time promoting themselves and ensuring success without outrageous spending.
Fortunately, there are ways for different kinds of businesses to capitalize on the customs, traditions and good cheer of the holidays without directly dealing in the materials and products that those activities sell. Most holidays involve a degree of accessible novelty, lighthearted and easygoing atmospheres, and built-in themes that generously lend themselves to marketing and branding creativity of all kinds. Your brand can achieve success through the holiday with very little effort -- and a lot of fun.
Check out the ways your small business can gain from the holidays (and save money) regardless of what you do.
Adapt holiday messages to your brand
Holiday presents and surprises are great, but the idea of sharing and giving gifts of love, joy, compassion and fun is what keeps consumers celebrating every single year. You don't need to sell candy or presents to spread holiday messages around. Take the message and apply it to your own brand or business. If you can align holiday messaging with your business's values, you can form a solid foundation for formulating tactics, strategies and assets that fit within your budget.
In the end, the product you sell doesn't matter; it's the idea you sell that engages your audience and earns sales. Play around with holiday messaging, and find how you can seamlessly adapt it for your brand's holiday strategy.
Have some fun with your brand tone and voice
The thing about holidays is that consumers usually want to relax during these times. Consumers desire to be fun and carefree during festive times of the year. Adding a layer of "fluff" to your brand tone, voice and image (puns, vivid and playful imagery, etc.) can give your brand new dimensions and a sense of novelty without straying from your true brand identity.
Holidays lend themselves to visceral images and perceptions. Integrating this into your tone, voice and imagery can help your brand stand out and succeed during holiday seasons.
Spread holiday goodwill throughout your community
Love comes in many forms, big and small. There are a number of ways your business can show some holiday cheer and goodwill for your community and gain from it. Simple holiday-themed social posts that show appreciation for your audience can easily boost engagement. If you have a grander gesture in mind, consider donating a sum to a local charity to show community involvement and care. Building a reputation as a giving and altruistic brand can do wonders for your small business, since the link between you and your community is presumably very strong.
Always strive to be community-focused during the holidays. Those most directly impacted by your brand will take notice.
