This is a sponsored post on behalf of Office Depot.
As a small business owner, the holidays can be both exciting and anxiety-provoking. Faced with the realization that you could (and should) see a large increase in sales, you may also find yourself unsure about exactly how to make this a reality.
The truth is, with the exception of a few very fortunate businesses, the “wait and see” method won’t prove very lucrative. Instead, you need to implement the secrets to holiday preparation and success.
Keep reading for the 5 best holiday secrets that every small business owner should know.
My Experience
I started my online clothing store in the summer of 2018 and became a small business owner, and I am now entering year two of holiday preparation. With a 100% growth increase in sales during the 2018 holiday season, I’m fully underway – preparing once again for the season ahead (with the hope to net well into 5-figures within this short season).
While you may not run an online clothing store, the truth is that my simple secrets to holiday success are easily applied to whatever your specific niche may be. So, let’s get started!
SECRET #1: Be Organized & Set Clear Deadlines
This secret may seem like a no-brainer, but in truth it can be the largest detriment to your holiday success if not executed effectively. Whether you are one for electronic organization or paper and pen (I am the latter), the holiday season is when you want to step up your organizational game.
With the large selection of organizers from the exclusive Realspace line at Office Depot and OfficeMax, I am able to take meticulous notes, maintain organization, and feel confident that important information is not forgotten.
Additionally, I utilize monthly and weekly calendars. While this is a matter of personal opinion, I never skimp on the monthly calendar view as I find this allows me to see the bigger picture and prevent that dreaded feeling of surprise when a date has approached and you find yourself unprepared. I then follow up with specific weekly calendars for exact details and tasks. (Looking for the perfect monthly calendar? I have created free calendar printables you can download here ), which you can have printed at your local Office Depot and OfficeMax with same-day pickup.
Along with organization, clear deadlines are crucial. Simply knowing you want to take an important step is not effective. In fact, chances are that you will miss the majority of well-planned deadlines if they are not written down and determined. As a result, I make certain to write down every last important deadline (i.e. photoshoot, edit photos, make postcards, make email draft, send email draft, address postcards, mail postcards, advertise on social media, start sale, sale email reminder, etc.)
SECRET #2: Start Early
There is a reason why you see Halloween merchandise sold in stores starting in July and even holiday items lining aisles by early August. People like to shop early and effectively skip (when possible) the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Case in point, while it doesn’t always work out the way I plan, I have a goal of finishing holiday shopping by early November and I know I am far from alone.
With that in mind, imagine if you didn’t start photographing your holiday merchandise until Thanksgiving came to an end. With this mindset you would effectively miss out on a very large percentage of possible customers.
If summer has come and gone and reading this is only increasing your anxiety (noting that you may have missed a very important window), then take a deep breath and get to work. It is always better late than never and while you may not be able to complete everything on your agenda, you will be able to implement an epic game plan for the following holiday season.
SECRET #3: Do Your Research
The only thing worse than failing to prepare for the holiday season is failing to do ample research to make your preparations effective. That said, we are blessed to live in a world of online resources putting our customers at our fingertips.
While there are endless ways you can search for trending merchandise and holiday inspiration a few recommendations include:
- Running a social media poll (i.e. “If you could pick one item from my shop to be given for the holidays, what would it be?” -OR- “What is the average amount of money you spend per person when holiday shopping?” -OR- “Do you prefer a larger discount or free shipping?”)
- Reaching out to past customers (just another reason to build that email list) and ask them the same questions above.
- Search Pinterest. Consumer interests are easily found by noticing what is trending on Pinterest in your niche.
- Compare your personal sale statistics. Look at what worked last holiday season and what didn’t. Determine your best-selling month and find out why- copying what worked for the holidays.
SECRET #4: Run Sales and Promotions
Perhaps more than ever, customers are looking for sales around the holidays. Many have large lists for which they are shopping and paying full price for something may be an immediate turn off. As a result, prepare to run ample sales. If you want to really stand out from the crowd with large sales (i.e. 30%+ off or free shipping) then you may wish to increase your base prices slightly in order to accommodate the above.
While sales can be carried out in a variety of ways, I recommend running a baseline sale starting the day of Halloween. I then bump up my sale to be even more cost effective by mid-November and final/largest sale price the end of November until the week before Christmas.
SECRET #5: Promote
And last but certainly not least, promote… promote… promote!
What good is all your hard work with photos, advertising, deadlines, and research, if you fail to promote your products and sales?
Email aside, my favorite way to do this is by designing custom post cards for my VIP customers at Office Depot or OfficeMax. Not only do they allow you to create your own designs, but they are there to help if you find yourself uninterested in the design element. Furthermore, they make the entire process super simple.
With the ability to design in store or online the entire process took me very little time and was very cost effective. I opted to design online and had the postcards shipped directly to my home. I can then address, add a personalized note (I find good old snail mail is far more beneficial with encouraging sales and repeat customers than email which often gets filed into a junk folder around the holidays) and mail them out at my local Office Depot or OfficeMax thanks to their pack and ship services (also a very effective resource for shipping out your holiday sale items). You can send items via FedEx Express, FedEx Ground at most Office Depot or OfficeMax stores or USPS from select stores, and for smaller items they also sell postage stamps. It’s so convenient when you’re already there for other items!
(Most Office Depot and OfficeMax stores offer FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and select stores offer USPS shipping and mailing services to national, international and military base locations. You can even drop off packages 7 days a week, including nights and weekends. Plus, they also offer postage stamps without having to make a separate run to the U.S. Post Office.)
Along with postcards, Office Depot and OfficeMax are also great for creating banners, flyers, and many more resources to help promote your holiday sale. Furthermore, it an awesome one-stop location not only for business needs but for holiday gifting as well (stay tuned for my next post on creating creative gifts from Office Depot and OfficeMax)!
And there you have it, my 5 best holiday secrets for the small business owner. Don’t let the holidays pass you by without implementing all 5 and having the most lucrative season yet!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Office Depot.
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