Small businesses don’t have the big budgets to run festive campaigns on the same scale as The John Lewis or Coca Cola Christmas adverts. They need all the exposure and marketing they can get, without busting the bank. But that doesn’t mean it’s not possible to create great marketing promotions that keep your customers happy at Christmas – it just takes a bit more creativity and imagination.
Here are a few ideas…
1. Run a limited-time Christmas sale. If this time of year tends to be a quiet period for your business, running a sale could be a good opportunity to secure some sales. This works better if you’ve got a product to sell, but even if you’re a service-based business, you can offer potential clients an early-bird discount for signing up with you before January.
2. Create a Christmas bundle. Whatever you sell, whatever products or services you have available – maxi pack them. Create a special Christmas bundle offering to give your gifting customers an easy choice.
3. Give loyal customers an exclusive discount or Christmas gift. Send a promotional email or inform them that you’re treating them – because it’s Christmas and you value their custom. Again, depending on the cost of your email marketing service, this is another low-cost idea.
4. Send your customers a Christmas card or if you’re more green-fingered, an email. Thanking them for their custom and wishing them a Happy Christmas is a nice thoughtful touch that lets your customers know you appreciate them. It can also be very low cost.
5. Run a Christmas competition or giveaway. This is a good way to collaborate with a local business and reach a wider audience. If a company are willing to donate a prize, the giveaway can be completely free.
6. Work with a local charity and donate a percentage of your sales to a good cause at Christmas. This will not only incentivise people to buy from you but you’ll be doing a good deed which can also create some positive PR for your business.
7. Use an advent calendar on social media. One of the Christmas contests that you can find on social media (and that is very trendy) is the classic Advent Calendar. A great option to celebrate with your community and entertain the wait until December 24th. This also a good way to grow your social engagement and reach.
8. Hold a virtual Christmas party. With lockdown restrictions meaning Christmas parties and networking events are cancelled, why not host a virtual event instead? You could include anything from customer stories, staff members, speakers, a comedian, an interactive quiz, a live performer, a DJ – anything to entertain your customers and put them in the festive spirit!
9. Launch a Christmas jumper contest. Share a photo on social media of your staff in their best Christmas jumpers and encourage your audience to share there’s with your business hashtag for a chance to win a prize.
Photo by erin mckenna on Unsplash
