The document provides tips for small businesses to use marketing strategies during the holiday season to drive sales. It recommends advertising products and promotions, decorating storefronts for the holidays, extending business hours, partnering with other local businesses, and using social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to promote events and special offers that encourage customers to visit the store, bring friends, spend more time browsing, and return again. The document stresses the importance of having a marketing plan, managing the marketing budget carefully, and preparing for an increased customer response by providing excellent customer service.

1. Marketing
for the
Holidays

2. Using marketing to get SALES
Get them in the “store”
Get them to bring a friend
Get them to stay longer
Get them to come back
Get them to tell others

3. Get them in the “store”
Advertise products/service
Radio, print, direct mail, holiday cards
Advertise sales/promotions
Free shipping, % or $ off, BOGO, Free
gift w/ purchase, donate for discount
Display holiday merch in store front
Decorate for the holidays

4. Get them in the “store”
Extend hours
Partner, cross promote
Create a buzz
Press Releases (not a sales pitch)
Gift packages, stocking stuffers
Repackage what you already have

5. Small Business Saturday
Facebook Ads
Store signage
Facebook Badge/E-marketing
See what others are doing
Help setting up social media tools
(Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,
YouTube)
www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday

6. Get them to bring a friend
Guest appearances by designers,
authors, other businesses
How-to presentations
Parties/events
Food is a great motivator
Girlfriend nights

7. Get them to stay longer
Offer free tea, coca, cookies while
they shop
Offer gift wrapping
Set up shopping zones
Samples
Make sure sales team is educated

8. Get them to come back
% off next purchase
Stagger promotions
Announce new product releases
Connect on social media
Collect customer data
Customer rewards/punch cards
Make it EASY and ENJOYABLE

9. Get them to tell others
Be visible in community
Donation drop off site
Gift guides
Gift cards
Wish lists
Offer something special/unique
Letters from Santa, Secret Santa
delivery, Reindeer Food

10. Don’t overspend on
marketing, keep in
mind ROI and make
sure your Marketing Plan
is in place to avoid feast
& famine!

11. Be PREPARED
for the response
and offer GREAT
CUSTOMER SERVICE

12. Contact
 www.trainingnd.com
 Twitter: CTechB
 www.facebook.com/trainingnd
 701-223-0707
 Laurie Morse-Dell ldell@trainingnd.com