The holiday season can be a whirlwind for small business owners, but with a bit of planning, you can enjoy it without stressing over your business. The key? Start early (read: now)! Here are four practical tips to prepare so you can focus on celebrating, not just selling, once holiday season goes into full swing.
1. Plan Employee Schedules in Advance
Balancing employee schedules during the holidays can be tricky. Staff may have travel plans or family gatherings, while you’ll need enough coverage to meet holiday demand. Start by asking your team members about their holiday availability early—October or early November is a great time to gather this info. And don't forget to plan your backups too! Sometimes schedules just go awry and the best thing you can do is be prepared with plans B, C, and D!
Tip: Create a rotating schedule to ensure fair holiday hours for everyone. If possible, let team members trade shifts amongst themselves (with your approval) to make it more flexible.
Let’s say you own a local bakery. By asking your staff about their availability in early November, you find out that two team members are traveling for Thanksgiving but available during Christmas, while another has family obligations over Christmas. With this knowledge, you can plan shifts around key dates so that no one is overworked, and everyone has a chance to celebrate.
2. Craft Your Holiday Marketing Campaigns Early
Holiday marketing isn’t just about discounts—it’s about creating a festive experience that resonates with your customers. Start writing upholiday-themed campaigns that align with your brand’s personality and values. Plan special promotions, gift cards, and themed products that fit in with your customers’ holiday plans.
Tip: Be strategic about when and how you release holiday deals. Consider starting your promotions a bit earlier to avoid getting lost in the Black Friday frenzy.
A small boutique might launch a “12 Days of Giving” campaign where customers get a new deal every day for 12 days. This can encourage your shoppers to keep coming back for new offers, helping you build brand loyalty while spreading out the holiday rush.
3. Communicate Holiday Hours Clearly
Customers need to know if your business hours will change during the holiday season. Set a task or reminder to update your business hours in all places where customers might check—your website, Google's My Business, and social media pages. Send out reminders closer to key dates to keep everyone informed.
Tip: Use visuals to grab attention! A simple, festive image with your adjusted hours posted on social media can make a big difference.
Suppose you run a restaurant that will close early on Christmas Eve. Besides updating your hours online, you could create a quick holiday-themed post for Instagram and Facebook saying, “We’ll be closing at 5 PM on Christmas Eve to celebrate with our loved ones—thank you for your understanding!” This personal touch lets your customers know you’re thinking of them and your team.
4. Prepare for Post-Holiday Rush
The holiday season doesn’t end at New Year’s! January can be a busy month for returns, exchanges, and inquiries. Prepare your staff for this rush by training them on handling returns, updating any relevant policies, and even planning a small “post-holiday” promotion to keep sales moving.
Tip: Consider a “New Year, New You” sale to entice shoppers to come back after the holidays. Make sure your customer service and inventory teams are ready for a potential increase in demand.
If you run an online boutique, let customers know about your return policies in a pre-holiday email. Then, in early January, offer a “Fresh Start” sale on select items. This not only eases the return process but keeps customers engaged with your brand.
By taking these steps, you’ll set your business up for a smoother holiday season, allowing you—and your team—to celebrate without stress. You've probably already gotten a start on all of these tips above, but if you haven't there's not time better to start than now! 🎄
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