Small Business Marketing Success – Customer Avatar Worksheet Included!

Small Business Marketing Success – Customer Avatar Worksheet Included!

While this year is dwindling down (thank goodness), we still have time to finish strong! For retail shops, this time of year is the craziest, but often the biggest moneymaker! So, with a little extra creativity, you’ll be prepared for the holiday chaos and guaranteed a great wrap-up to the year! And this year, don’t we deserve it?

Read below, and plan ahead for 2021 marketing with our FREE 2022 Retail Marketing Calendar Template.

5 Musts for your Holiday Marketing List!

1. PLAN IN-STORE EVENTS.
Our clients will recognize this as my go-to suggestion, but this year is certainly different! Planning an indoor event might not be possible this year, but with a little pivoting, we could still make customers feel special and ready to support your business! This year try your hand at live social media events. We’ve seen a few live shopping events attended very well with tons of shopping being done in the comment section! You still may be able to use themes for your live events to make the attendees feel like they’re at a real event. Some ideas for events that I just shared recently with a new client (you know who you are!): Mimosas with Moms, Wine Down Wednesdays, Teaching Nights (Teach literally anything: hair, makeup, decor, cooking, gift wrapping, how to dress, etc. The list goes on and on!) Of course, you could also try shopping appointments to make customers feel more comfortable and it wouldn’t hurt for you to know who is popping into your shop! Win-win!

2. CURATE YOUR “TOP 10 HOLIDAY GIFTS” LIST.

Your customers shop locally because they appreciate your expertise and are looking for a little added value in their shopping experience (among other reasons). Put together a quick Gifting Guide to make their shopping a breeze. Highlight 10 items from your store that will be sure to bring joy to anyone on their list. Share this list on all of your social media channels (or better yet, add a shop on social media) and be sure to hang it around the store and toss it in bags at checkout. Added bonus: This tip is an easy one to track ROI – Return on Investment. You can track sales on those items that are on the list vs. those that aren’t to see if sales are up! To make your customer’s life even easier, send them the Holiday Gift Shopping List printable we designed! Easy peasy!

3. WIN WITH AN AWESOME IN-STORE EXPERIENCE.

Even though life is definitely different this year, there are still those out shopping local in person. Let’s roll out the red carpet for them!

• Let’s start simply by greeting customers at the door. Be sure that you train each employee on what you’d like the customer to know and be consistent with that message so each customer is getting the same great shopping experience.
• Did you know that customers who shop with a basket in hand will spend 25% more and stay about 15 minutes longer in your store? Be sure to provide a basket and watch out for those customers who are carrying products without one. Always offer to hold the merchandise at the counter or in the dressing room so they can shop with their hands-free to browse.
  
• Bundle similarly themed items together to cross-promote between sections of your store, saving shoppers time and encouraging add-on purchases. Make it fun and easy for your customers by creating themed gifts and items that are well thought out and easily bundled together for a complete gift that’s sure to please.
• Promote gift cards. Statistics show that 80% of gift card recipients will spend more than the face value of the gift card and 40% will spend twice as much! Be sure to go the extra mile and dress that gift card up for the big presentation. Tuck it into a box with tissue paper and package it with a logo and bow on top. Remember, your brand follows you everywhere, so don’t skip the simple steps. Grab our free printable holiday gift tags and look like a real hero!

4. GET YOUR DIGITAL MEDIA ON POINT.

• Do you have an email list? Do you use it? Now’s the time. Your customers expect a little more this time of year. Plan to send them an email each week, but they don’t have to be filled with deals. Offer gift suggestions, recipes, holiday party tips, decor ideas, and more. Just get in front of them and stay top of mind. Try not to overpromote specific products.
• Use gorgeous photos on your social media and be sure to add keywords that people will be searching for during the holiday season. And definitely boost posts on Facebook that are a must-see for your shoppers.
• When you do plan an event, whether online or in-person, be sure to add it as an “Event Listing” on Facebook. This will help you reach a larger audience by allowing your customers to invite their friends and family.

5. ADD VALUE AND MORE VALUE – LET’S COMPETE WITH AMAZON.

I’m going to go ahead and say it. You, Small Business Owner, can compete with Amazon. Can you compete with them on price and free shipping? Probably not. But, how can you compete? Think about it. You can give your shoppers an amazing experience. Make them feel like Kings and Queens. You can offer free gift wrap. What about free local delivery? If a customer can order on your website during the day and have the package wrapped and delivered to their doorsteps by that evening, wouldn’t that be amazing? You could offer personal shoppers. There are honestly so many ways. And, don’t forget, a little customer gratitude goes a long way.

Need help brainstorming? We’re here for you with our strategy sessions.

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