The holiday season is a great time to connect with your customers and show them how much you appreciate their business. If you're a small business owner, there are a few things you can do to make your holiday marketing stand out. Here are some tips from the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce:

Create Interactive Content That Gets People Engaged

People love getting involved in the holiday spirit, so why not give them some content that they can interact with? You could create a holiday-themed quiz or poll, or even just post some festive photos and ask people to caption them. Whatever you do, make sure it's something that will get people engaged.

Hold a Giveaway or Contest to Boost Your Business

Everyone loves getting free stuff, so why not hold a giveaway or contest? You could give away a prize related to your business (like a gift certificate), or something more general (like an Amazon gift card). Just make sure to promote it heavily beforehand so people know to enter.

Share a Gift Guide

If you sell products, put together a gift guide featuring your best items. This is a great way to show people what you have to offer and get them thinking about giving your products as gifts. Make sure to include a mix of items at different price points so there's something for everyone. You can offer your gift guide in store as well as online. This is a PDF-to-JPG converter. Using it to convert your gift guide into an image makes sharing the guide on social media much easier.

Get Festive With Your Packaging

Make your products stand out under the tree by choosing festive packaging. You could go with traditional red and green, or get creative with patterned wrapping paper or even personalized ribbon. Whatever you choose, make sure it's eye-catching and will get people excited about opening your product on Christmas morning.

Engage With Customers on Social Media

Social media is a great way to connect with your customers during the holidays (and all year round). Make sure to post regularly and respond quickly to any questions or comments people leave on your page. You could also run some social media-specific promotions, like holiday-themed hashtags or Instagram filters.

Host a Festive Event

If you have a brick-and-mortar location, consider hosting a special event during the holidays. This could be anything from an ugly sweater party to a holiday cookie decorating workshop. Whatever you do, make sure it's something that will get people in the door (and spending money).

Give Back by Supporting a Local Charity

The holidays are all about giving back, so why not support a favorite local charity? You could host a food drive, collect toys for children in need, or even just donate yourself. Plus, promoting your charity work is great PR for your business!

Showing Customer Appreciation

The holidays are also a great time to show appreciation for your loyal customers. If you have a loyalty program, consider offering extra points or discounts during the holiday season. You could also send out handwritten thank-you cards or small gifts to your best customers. Whatever you do, make sure it's something that will make them feel appreciated.

Partner With Other Local Businesses

Collaborating with other businesses is a great way to reach new customers and build relationships. If you partner with businesses that complement yours, you can cross-promote each other ' s products or services. For example, if you sell handmade jewelry, team up with a local boutique that sells clothing. They can promote your jewelry in their store, and you can promote their clothes on your website or social media.

Get Creative

The holidays are all about being creative, so don't be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to your marketing. There are endless possibilities when it comes to promoting your business during the holidays, so use these tips as inspiration and let your creativity shine! 

There's no doubt about it, the holidays are a crucial time for businesses. If you want your business to thrive during this season, you need to get creative with your marketing efforts. From posting interactive content and holding giveaways to partnering with other businesses and supporting local charities, there are plenty of ways to spread holiday cheer this season.  By following the tips above, you'll be well on your way to making the most of the holiday season!

Access even more great resources to help your business grow and thrive in our community by joining the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce.