Creating Holiday Greetings that Stand Out
The holidays are a time for family, festivities and fun. Whether it’s flying out to see Grandma or sending out holiday cards to your old college friends, it’s also a time to acknowledge the important people in your lives. As a small business owner, those important people also include your customers.
You know perfectly well that a holiday greeting can be an important part of your marketing efforts. It can help generate goodwill, reminding customers that you’re still thinking of them and stand ready to assist them if they need anything.
The downside is that while you’ve made a point of sending out holiday greetings, so have a lot of other companies. You’ve probably gotten more than a few holiday messages from companies you’ve dealt with over the years, and while they might have given you a nice feeling for a few seconds, it wasn’t long before they were sitting in your trash folder.
If you’re going to send out holiday greetings, why not send ones that your customer will remember? Here are a few ideas to make them stand out in a crowd.
The time-honored calendar. In this computerized age, you would think the old-fashioned wall or desk calendar would have vanished, but it is still a popular item. Many people still use calendars to list appointments, write down work schedules, and note birthdays and other special days. People also use them to remember due dates for bills or to track medications taken. Many customers will make a special point of visiting or contacting a business to get their annual calendar, giving you an opportunity to thank them and possibly generate more business.
Give them a discount. Everyone appreciates being able to save a little money during the holidays. Send a little note offering a discount in January, free shipping, or perhaps a special reward after their fifth visit. If you have special customers, you could send gift cards or restaurant gift certificates.
Invitations. If you have a brick-and-mortar storefront, create an after-hours event. Throw a party or open house or have a special demonstration, for example a cookie tasting at a bakery. If your business is online, use your imagination to create something similar and broadcast a live event.
Your customers are special because they are YOUR customers. Make a point of letting them know you think they’re special during the holidays, and they will love you all year.