Whether you run a retail or service-based business, the holiday season is typically busy. If you’re not assisting shoppers, you’re helping your clients book their appointments before year-end. There’s a lot to do, and time moves quickly.
Use this opportunity to show your customers how much their business is appreciated. After all, it’s a less expensive way to keep existing clients than it is to engage new ones. And, although every day is the right day to show your customers you care, the holidays can have more meaning because people tend to feel stressed.
Continue reading for helpful ways to reach out to your customers around the holidays, so they keep you front of mind throughout the entire year.
Send a card
A holiday card can go a long way, as everyone likes to feel appreciated.
Let clients know that you appreciate them and look forward to servicing them in the future. If you have a couple of clients who you haven’t interacted with in a while, this will remind them that you are still here for them. If they’re regulars, they’ll appreciate the gesture.
Sending a physical card in the mail is preferred, but an email is also sufficient. If you have a mix of regular clients and those who come in periodically, consider more personal cards for those you’re closest with.
Send a gift
Consider being creative with this idea; if your business has samples to mail or give away in-store, use those. You could also offer a special promotion during the holiday season.
If your customers typically buy online, surprise them with free shipping or a bonus sample.
If your business is service-based, surprise them with a digital resource as a way to say hello.
Send gift suggestions
Choosing gifts for all your loved ones can be difficult. That’s where your business comes in.
If your business sells physical goods, suggest items their loved ones would enjoy. Emailing gift guides is an excellent idea, as are lists of your most popular products. You can also recommend products from your favourite retailers.
This isn’t just an option for businesses that sell products; service-based businesses can get in on this, too. Create an engaging email or a series of social media posts with holiday ideas. Accountants and Financial Advisors might give clients ideas on how to stay on top of their Christmas budget.
You know your customer base the best, so help them with strategies to get through the season and maybe make gift-giving a little less stressful.
Hold a giveaway
Giveaways are an effective and efficient way to engage with your customers online and in-store.
A social media giveaway allows you to show off your products or services while asking for legitimate engagement on your posts. It’s a fun and easy way to extend your reach and get more people involved with your business.
Service-based companies can give away a consultation or a treatment, whichever is relevant to the business. Those with physical goods will typically choose to gift an item.
You can offer a discount to everyone who participates, so everyone walks away with something. Just make sure you alert your customers to the giveaway through social media, email, or blog posts.
Send notifications about your holiday season hours
Ensure you inform your customers about your holiday hours. It would be frustrating for someone to show up at your store or office only to find that you’re closed for a week. However, if you’re going to be open longer hours during the holiday rush, make sure your customers are informed.
This is also an excellent opportunity to remind customers to book appointments or get their orders in early.
Offer a way to give back to the community
This is a fantastic way to drive engagement while also giving back. Arrange a way your business can give back this holiday season. You could hold a promotion where 15% of sales go to a charity or organise an event to help drive donations to the food bank.
Ask yourself how your business could help the local community, and your customers and clients will indeed get involved.
Final Thoughts
There are many different reasons to get in touch during the holidays, it can be beneficial to engage with your customers meaningfully. Spread the holiday spirit this season while being helpful and informative, and they’re sure to keep you in mind.
If you have any questions, feel free to Join the conversation…