As the end-of-year holidays quickly approach, small business owners should consider taking a couple of extra steps to drive sales, increase brand awareness, and connect with their local communities. Here are some strategies and tips entrepreneurs can use to boost business

Plan Strategic Holiday Promotions

The end of the calendar year is often packed with holiday events, making it the peak shopping season for many consumers. Using promotions and deals during this time can attract more customers to your business, encouraging them to make more frequent and larger purchases. Frequency and successful promotions include:

• Bundle packages → Bundle packages typically influence consumers to spend more money because they feel like they are getting their money’s worth. Bundle packages usually increase your average order size; however, this may mean that consumers may be less likely to buy in the future months depending on your offerings. 
• Limited-time discounts → Holiday sales are traditionally advertised through limited-time discounts, such as percentage-off of products, BOGO deals, free product with minimum purchase, free shipping and more. For this type of discount to succeed, you need to create a sense of urgency, so consumers feel they have to buy the product/service immediately. Creating a countdown for deals or a timer until the discounts expire are good strategies to create that sense of urgency.
• Speciality Holiday Items: If your products are easily changeable, consider creating holiday-themed items to drive sales. Consumers often get swept-up in the holiday spirit and enjoy buying products that contribute to that spirit. However, make sure to consider the costs of creating a limited-time product/service compared to your usual offerings. 

While these promotions are important, marketing them to your consumer base is crucial, so make sure to have a marketing plan that will reach consumers at the right time and in the right places. 

Properly Stock Inventory and Manage your Supply Chain

The holiday season causes a surge in consumer activity, making it crucial for small businesses to prepare for the increase in demand, especially if they are offering holiday promotions or deals. Start by increasing inventory for popular items or planning alternative options in case popular items sell out. This will ensure consumers are still satisfied, even if their first choice isn’t available. For businesses relying on suppliers or third-party services, confirm delivery times early. The holiday rush can strain logistics networks, so clear communication with partners helps ensure timely deliveries and reduces the risk of delays.

Reflect and Set Goals for the New Year

As the year wraps up, it’s a great time for small businesses to reflect on achievements and challenges. Strategies and business plans can change from year to year. Reviewing your performance over the past year can reveal insights that can lead to clear, actionable goals for the new year. New goals for small businesses can include applying for funding, creating a more robust business plan, expanding your customer base, improving internal operations, launching new products, and more. Setting measurable goals keeps your team focused and motivated, helping your business grow with purpose in the year ahead.

If you are feeling lost on what goals to set or how to set yourself up to achieve these goals, WISE Women’s Business Center can help! For personalized assistance and long-term planning for your business, we provide free counseling sessions with business experts. A WISE counselor can meet with you regularly throughout the year to make sure you are accomplishing your goals and provide you with the right resources when you are facing challenges. Visit our counseling page for more information. 

Pay Attention to Local Holiday Events

Participating in holiday events is a great opportunity for small businesses to introduce their brand to the local community and form personal relationships with consumers. Start looking for events that fit your brand the best; however, be mindful that some of these events seek vendor applications 2-6 months in advance, so planning ahead is key! Here are some events and communities to look into in the Central New York area:

• Crazy Daisies in Syracuse hosts a Holiday Art Fair alongside other events
• During the last weekend in January the town of Homer in Cortland County hosts their annual Homer Winterfest with food, fun, stalls, and entertainment
• Between November 29th and December 5th, the North Country Festival of Trees will be hosted with a variety of events throughout the week
• December 1st: Cazenovia is hosting Christmas walk and Tree Lighting with vendors and fun holiday-themed events 
• November 29th/30th: The Clinton Chamber of Congress is hosting Clinton Shoppers’ Stroll and Holiday Parade (they host a lot of events throughout the year so make sure to check their calendar!)

With the holiday season quickly approaching, small businesses have an opportunity to engage customers, boost sales, and enhance their brand presence within the community. By planning strategic promotions, preparing inventory, setting new goals, and participating in local events, entrepreneurs can set themselves up for holiday success and sustained growth into the new year. The WISE Women’s Business Center is here to support your journey with expert guidance and tailored resources to help your business thrive. Take advantage of these tips and local support to make this holiday season a memorable and profitable one for your business!