Holiday Marketing Part 2

It is September – and that means the winter holidays are just around the corner. If you haven’t started thinking about your holiday marketing yet, you CANNOT put it off any longer. Now is the time to get crackin’. Here are some tips to help you get a plan in action:

Press Releases – Many newspapers, magazines, websites, and blogs feature lists of products they recommend for the holiday season (as in “Top 10 Gifts,” “The Season’s Top Toys,” etc). Write a great press release (or have me do it by clicking here) and send them to the media outlets you want to be featured in!

Business To Business Marketing- Many businesses buy holiday gifts for their clients, associates, business partners, etc. Contact the businesses in your area and let them know about the products or services that you have to offer, why they would make great gifts, and let them know about any discounts you can offer on large orders.

Customer Newsletter – Your customer newsletter is a marketing tool! Update your customers on any new products or services you are offering, any specials you are having for the holidays, etc. If you are too busy to write a monthly newsletter, try these pre-written newsletters.

Draw Boxes – Create some entry forms on your computer and print them out, or have a local printer do it for you. Grab a small box, wrap it with some cute paper, stick a flier on the front that says “Enter To Win” with a picture and description of your product. Create an opening on the top for the entry forms to go in, and then take the box and entry forms to a local business that attracts the type of customer you want to do business with. Ask the business owner if you can set the box on their counter, and then come back and pick it up in a week. Pick a winner from the box – and follow up with all entrants via email. You may want to offer them a coupon or discount to be used on an item. That way, everyone feels like they won something!

Kids – Marketing to kids can be big business! If you make something, such as a craft that can easily be taught to kids, contact local daycares and see if you can come in and teach a class. Have the parents pay for the supplies in advance, and make sure you include some packaging so that the child can wrap their gift (this could be as simple as a cellophane bag or paper box). Don’t forget to include your business card! When the child takes it home for the parent to see, you may get some extra orders!

You can find more holiday tips in Part 1 of this post, which I wrote on CraftBoom, by clicking here!

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