Taking on large corporations during the holiday season can be daunting for small businesses. However, with the right strategy and a well-prepared checklist, you can compete and even outshine the giants in the holiday marketing game. Ready to get started? Here’s your roadmap for holiday marketing success:
1. Know Your Niche
Small businesses often have the advantage of a niche audience. Understand your niche and what sets your products or services apart. Tailor your holiday marketing strategies to connect with this audience.
2. Write Attention-Grabbing Subject Line
Create short, compelling subject lines that spark curiosity and showcase your small business’s holiday offerings. Avoid generic phrases and, instead, emphasize what makes your offerings unique.
3. Personalize for Your Small Business
Small businesses have a personal touch that big brands can’t match. Use this to your advantage. Personalize your holiday messages, addressing your customers by name and highlighting your small business’s personality.
4. Keep It Concise and Engaging
Make sure your holiday is engaging, easy to understand, and visually appealing. Use headings, bullet points, and images to maintain a captivating flow.
5. Tell Them What to Do Next
Make your holiday calls to action clear, actionable, and focused on the unique benefits of shopping with your small business.
6. Use Mobile-Friendly Design
Make sure your holiday emails look fantastic on both desktop and mobile devices. Small business customers often shop on the go, so mobile compatibility is crucial.
7. Use Images that Showcase Your Small Business
A picture really is worth a thousand words so, choose high-quality images that emphasize your brand and align with your holiday offerings.
8. Don’t Hide Your Identity
Ensure your emails have a sender name that people recognize and use a professional email address. Show your customers that your small business values their interaction by avoiding generic addresses such as noreply@yourcompany.com.
9. Offer Easy Unsubscribe Options
Always offer a simple opt-out option for recipients to unsubscribe to your emails to maintain a list of genuinely interested customers.
10. Be On Time
For small businesses, timing is critical. Schedule your holiday emails for when your audience is most active but be mindful of over-emailing and aim for the perfect balance.
To make your small business’s holiday marketing campaign successful, plan carefully, follow this checklist, and pay attention to the details. Remember, it’s not just about beating the big brands; it’s about showing what makes your small business unique.
Michelle, Equivity’s Assistant Marketing Director, brings over 20 years of marketing experience and holds a degree in International Business. For more insights and updates, connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.