As a small business owner, the holiday season can be one of the busiest—and most rewarding—times of the year. Keeping your schedule organized ensures smooth operations, happy customers, and time for yourself to enjoy the festivities. Here are five practical ways to prep your calendar and stay on top of the holiday rush:
1. Update Your Holiday Hours on Google Business Profile
If your business hours will differ over the holidays, update your Google Business Profile as soon as possible. This small step keeps your customers informed and avoids confusion about when you're open. Don’t forget to double-check your hours are accurate on other platforms like Yelp or your website—it’s all about making it easy for your customers to find you!
2. Double-Check Your Scheduling Tools
Using tools like Calendly or Acuity for booking appointments? Adjust your availability to reflect your holiday hours and any time off. Block out specific times or days when you’re unavailable to prevent scheduling conflicts. Pro tip: Add a short note or confirmation message for customers that includes a friendly holiday greeting—it adds a personal touch.
3. Sync Federal Holidays with LACRM
Sync a calendar of federal holidays with your LACRM calendar (here's a tutorial on how to do that). This ensures you’re aware of bank closures, mail delays, and other holiday-related disruptions that could impact your business. Take it a step further by marking busy shopping days like Black Friday or Small Business Saturday for targeted campaigns.
4. Plan Key Promotions and Deadlines in Advance
Block off time in your calendar for planning and executing holiday promotions. Whether you’re launching a Black Friday sale or sending out holiday greetings to loyal customers, give yourself plenty of lead time. Use reminders to stay on track with tasks like ordering inventory, prepping marketing emails, or wrapping up projects before the year ends.
5. Set Boundaries for Personal Time (this is the big one!)
The holiday season can be a whirlwind, but don’t forget to schedule downtime for yourself and your team. Whether it’s a few extra days off or shorter business hours, setting these boundaries on your calendar prevents burnout. Plus, a well-rested team delivers better service during peak times!
Bonus Tip: Make It Visual
Use color-coded blocks on your LACRM calendar to distinguish between personal time, business hours, and important deadlines. A quick glance will show you what’s coming up, helping you stay organized without the overwhelm. Here's how to create color-coded sub-calendars in LACRM.
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With a little planning and some tweaks to your tools, you can stay ahead of the holiday chaos while keeping customers happy. The holidays are a time to celebrate—make sure your calendar helps, not hinders, your success!
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