As a small business owner, you know that making connections with customers is important any time of the year. Thankfully, a busy holiday season presents even more opportunities to communicate with customers since they’ll (hopefully!) be visiting your store more often.
A memorable product assortment, exciting promotions and convenient shopping experience are all things that make lasting impressions on customers. And these elements don’t have to be super complicated or expensive…even the smallest details make a difference. So, this year, get creative with a DIY holiday project (or two!) to help your small business stand out and make your marketing shine.
7 DIY Christmas ideas for 2024:
- Refresh merchandise with holiday-ready retail tags.
- Let business cards double as referral cards.
- Use stickers to spruce up packaging.
- Package in-store orders with branded bags.
- Add style to shipped orders.
- Offer local gift delivery and easy in-store pickup.
- Step up your social media game with a giveaway.
- Create a seasonal calendar.
1. Refresh merchandise with holiday-ready retail tags.
Whether pinned to a sweatshirt or tied around a jam jar, customized retail tags are an easy way to add branded holiday flair to almost any item. Order a special batch for the holiday season (maybe something with gold foil for a little shimmer) and even encourage your customers to use the backside as a “To/From” gift tag.
2. Let business cards double as referral cards.
Business cards can be used for so much more than, well, business cards – especially during the holiday season. You might use business cards as referral tools all year, but right now is a great time to really lean into it. Generate some word-of-mouth marketing by placing a card with a special refer-a-friend perk in each order. Whether you offer free shipping, a festive freebie or a discount on their next purchase, you’re creating a thoughtful connection with your customer…and enticing them to come back. Don’t forget to show your appreciation for their loyalty by thanking them for their business as well.
3. Use stickers to spruce up packaging.
Great packaging can make a difference, especially in the age of Instagram and TikTok unboxings. Place your logo or a unique design onto stickers and make sure they go on everything you send out during the holidays. You can even use sheet stickers instead of tape when wrapping products in tissue paper! Or, add something fun to every order with a sticker single – shoppers will love getting a gifted bonus item from your business.
4. Package in-store orders with branded bags.
When branded with your logo, shopping bags are an easy way to spread the word about your business – why not let your customers carry your brand forward? You can either order a batch of bags printed with your logo or a holiday motif, or customize your current plain paper bags with logoed stickers or a personalized stamp. You can even reward your best holiday shoppers with a special tote bag – they’ll use it well beyond the holiday season, and this kind of specialty swag will make them feel extra appreciated.
5. Add style to shipped orders.
If you’re mailing orders to customers, coordinate your packing with the rest of your marketing materials. Add your logo to your return labels and packaging tape, and order holiday-ready mailer boxes and shipping envelopes so everything you send out will arrive in style. Want to get even more personal with packages? Add a handwritten thank-you note or holiday postcard to each order to show your appreciation.
6. Offer local gift delivery and easy in-store pickup.
In the past few years, we’ve seen a surge in contactless deliveries and pickups. Continue offering these services throughout the holiday season to give your customers some added convenience. Streamline the process by designating a pickup zone outside of your brick-and-mortar shop or studio, or offering doorstep delivery of wrapped, ready-to-gift items. And don’t forget to spread the word about these services with posts on your social channels or as a P.S. on your next postcard mailing.
7. Step up your social media game with a giveaway.
Get customers excited about the holidays – and your small business – with a giveaway. Create a social media post that asks customers to enter, and require them to follow your account and tag a friend or two in the comments. This will increase your visibility in a super low-cost way, and can help you gain new followers and engage your existing ones. Whether you decide to give away a branded tote bag, complimentary service, store gift card or another piece of merchandise, a giveaway is a surefire way to create some excitement around your business.
Vistaprint Tip
Add a festive feel to your social posts with a holiday-inspired template from VistaCreate. Find one you love, then customize it with your brand colors, logo and business name.
8. Create a seasonal calendar.
We’re all familiar with Advent calendars…but what about a holiday marketing calendar for your small business? Consider creating a calendar that you can print on flyers and:49p hand out to your customers, or print on a poster and display in your shop. It can just cover the month of December, or start as early as October (don’t forget about spooky season!) and run into the new year. Fill the days and weeks with promotional offers, customer challenges, in-store events, giveaways, rewards and more – get creative and get shoppers excited.
