By Gina Watkins
The holidays are upon us, and for many small businesses, so is the busiest time of the year. With limited time and resources, you want to be smart about where you are investing your time, and ensure that your marketing efforts will drive the best results. Depending on your business, there are a number of different campaigns you could run during the holiday season. The types of campaign you decide to run will depend on the products and services you offer, and the audience you’re trying to reach. You will also need to consider the type of results you’re looking for, and your overall goals. To help you get you thinking, here’s a list of campaigns types for you to consider trying out this holiday season.
Try a local deal
With a local deal, you can create a great offer, like a $25 for $50 voucher, that customers and potential customers can purchase and redeem at a later date. This is a great way to generate new revenue during the holiday season, and can help bring new customers into your store.
Offer an exclusive discount
The key to a great offer is that it’s compelling enough to get people to act. It also needs to bridge the gap between your customer’s needs and your success. With a service like Constant Contact, you can easily add a coupon to any email that customers can print out or redeem from their mobile device.
Plan an event
Hosting a holiday event is the perfect way to thank employees and customers for their continued support all year long. It’s also a great opportunity to bring customers into your store and provide a memorable holiday experience. You don’t need to operate a brick and mortar to host a holiday event though—they can be just as impactful for B2Bs and nonprofits as they are for B2Cs.
Run a contest
Contests are a great way to engage your audience, and can help generate buzz during the holiday season. For example, you can create a sweepstakes and host it on your Facebook Page. Come up with a prize that your customers will love, and encourage them to enter by providing their email address.
Add value
If running a promotion doesn’t fit your business, you can still do something special for your customers by sending a thank you email or offering something of value. There is no better time of year to show your appreciation than the holidays.
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About the Author: Gina Watkins is a leading expert on e-marketing for small business – and has a real passion for helping businesses to succeed. Her ongoing series of dynamic lectures are filled with real-world examples, humor and results-driven wisdom garnered from more than two decades of sales, business development and marketing experience. In addition to owning her own business, she is an award-winning direct marketer, has been featured on WUSA Channel 9’s Mind Over Money show, Dr. Gayle Carson’s Women In Business radio show, Morgan State’s Briefcase Radio program, and in numerous other media. In her role as Constant Contact Regional Development Director, she’s presented to more than ten thousand seminar attendees about the keys to success with easy, affordable, highly effective technology tools that grow trusted business relationships.