Immediately after Halloween it seems that retailers are already putting up thier Christmas decorations - trying to capture as much of the Holiday market as possible. Typical ways that retail stores use to capitalize on the holidays include extended hours and sales. This is all well and good, but today I want to give you an early present by giving you some novel ways to think about holiday promotions.
Many people are fed up with holiday crowds, thus the growth of some traditional retailer's sales. There also seems to be a trend towards buying fewer gifts, but those gifts tend to be higher-ticket luxury items. In the type of marketing we all should be doing we start with the customer in mind. What do we know about people this time of year? There's too much to do and too little time! People have more shopping to do tahn they usually do and with those crowds and long lines, people are under a tremendous amount of stress. People tend to clean and decorate their houses. These are just some of the factors affecting people during the holiday season. I'm sure you can think of many more.
Take these things into consideration, and take the stance of being a giver. Here's an idea I've never seen. While people are getting their gifts wrapped, they get a free chair massage! You could partner up with a local spa, or even a massage school who could also give every customer a promotional coupon. You save your customers time, take away their stress, and create a fusion marketing partnership with the spa. If you are in a household service business, offer a free holiday housecleaning or some free winterizing. If you aren't in the cleaning business - again team up with a cleaning service. Give-aways are great. Give away free Christmas trees - depcould buy a couple hundred for $10 a piece. The deal could be - spend $100 and take homa free tree. Give away turkeys, or complete turkey dinners - a lot of grocery stores have this promotion. Everybody gives away calendars; aim for something different but still useful. How about ice-scrapers if you live in the north? Blankets, sweatshirts, caps - are all good promotional items when the weather turns cold.
Holiday cards are great. People enjoy getting them and displaying them with pride. And don't forget to send Thanksgiving cards! In this politically correct age (gasp) you have to be sensitive to people's religious sensibilities. Send Happy Holidays cards and not Merry Christmas Cards - unless you are absolutely sure your customer celebrates Christmas.
A florist might include a free gift-wrapped ornament with a certain level of purchase that can be sent to a different address. Two gifts for the price of one. Buy one one free offers are great at holiday times. Use your creativity this holiday season and think about how you can solve your future customers problems and earn their business.
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