How to Attract Customers Toward the End of the Holiday Season
By: Christina Healy
It’s no secret that the holiday season is an extremely busy time for most businesses. Online shopping sales are at a high, and physical store locations are flooded with eager buyers. Therefore, businesses need to be strategic in their marketing campaigns, especially when the season starts to wind down. Here are five ways to keep up the hustle and bustle as the year comes to an end.
1. Discounts
Offering discounts and special sales can be the most effective way to bring customers back once the holiday spike recedes. At the end of the year, people are usually at their all-time highs of spending money, and you will stand out if you offer good deals. Remember: People love seeing the word “Clearance.” You can set up your winter merchandise as clearance and attract buyers. Offer deals such as a BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free!) or special markdowns, and advertise them on the homepage of your website.
2. Stocking Stuffer-Sized Items
During the holidays, it is common that many are buying presents for a wide range of people. Maybe they need something at the last minute to contribute to a gift swap, a Secret Santa, or for their nephew’s girlfriend that they didn’t know was coming for Christmas dinner. Therefore, the end of the holiday season is a perfect time to market stocking stuffer-sized items. Can any of your items be sold in smaller sizes? Even if you can’t do it this year, keep it in mind for next year. You can attract buyers by creating a separate section on your website for these specific items, and then targeting the right audience.
3. Express Shipping
Nothing is worse than telling a loved one that their present just didn’t come in time, and that they will have to wait till the new year to receive it. Stand out this year and offer express shipping to your customers when it gets down to crunch time. Having the option of express shipping could just be the reason why someone makes their last-minute purchase with you instead of a competitor.
4. Personalized Emails
The holidays are a time of year where it is essential for customer loyalty to be recognized. Reach out to your existing customers through personalized emails and encourage them to come back for last-minute deals by offering them discounts or incentives. Have them refer a friend for 20% of their next purchase. Show how much you appreciate their past purchases, and remind them why they should come back for more. Sending frequent emails will keep your store on your customers’ minds.
5. Stay Active When Other Businesses Slow Down
Although there is always room for new approaches, it is just as important to keep up with your existing holiday marketing strategies until December 31st when that clock strikes midnight. Don’t stop sending out emails. Don’t stop updating your website and continue pushing out content on your social media platforms. Stay active and don’t let your audience lose sight of you while competitors might be quieting down as the year comes to a close. Stay loud because, no matter what, there will be someone looking for that last-minute buy.