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3 Ways Small Businesses Can Sweeten the Deal for Customers This Holiday Season

Dec. 22, 2020

Running a successful boutique is enough to keep you super busy 365 days a year. But while you’ve got to work on building your audience and serving your customers year-round, the holiday season is the ideal time to engage your customers even more. (‘Tis the season for gift-giving, after all!)

As the weather gets chillier and our moods get merrier, now is the time to ramp up your holiday marketing efforts and encourage your customers to shop at your boutique during the Christmas season. With the right promotions and perks, you can cement your boutique in their minds as the best place to go for their gift-shopping.

Here are four great ways to sweeten the deal for your customers this holiday season:

1. Free gifts

Let your customers know that when they purchase a gift for their loved ones, you’ll throw in a free gift for them. Run a promotion where you include a free gift with every purchase or every qualifying purchase over a certain dollar amount (encouraging larger purchases or multi-buys).

Feel free to promote the free gift and get them excited about it… or keep the free gift a surprise to build the anticipation! (Not sure what sort of free gift to throw in? Here are a few ideas of one-size wholesale boutique items that your customers might enjoy.

2. Holiday promos

Run a seasonal promotion, whether you offer BOGO deals on certain items, a flat percentage of your entire store, free shipping, or some other exciting offer.

Don’t be afraid to get creative! Festive promotions that have to do with the season are loads of fun. You could celebrate 12 days of Christmas, featuring a new deal every day for 12 days. Or you could have a Christmas-y sale with a discount on all red and green items. Use your imagination! (Click here for advice on how to run a successful promotion.)

3. Do a giveaway

Spread a little Christmas cheer by hosting a giveaway. It’s a great way to thank your customers for supporting your small business all year. Again, get creative with how you theme your giveaway for the holidays! Having people tag a friend in the comments to enter is a classic, but you can make things a little more festive by requiring your followers to share a favourite Christmas song or winter tradition in the comments to enter, too.

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Joseph Heller is a small businesses expert and CEO of SuppliedShop.com. Supplied makes it easier for small boutique owners around the world to access high-quality, affordable wholesale boutique items, whether to stock their physical store or IG shop.