Tag: travel

How to Attract Holiday Shoppers as a Small Business Owner

The holiday season can account for a significant share of annual revenue for many small retailers, artisans, and online sellers. Shoppers are looking for convenience, unique gifts, and enjoyable shopping experiences. With a little creativity and planning, you can attract more customers and increase holiday sales without spending a fortune on marketing.

Whether you operate a storefront, an e-commerce site, or a booth at craft shows and pop-up markets, these affordable ideas can help your business stand out during the holiday season.

Create a Festive First Impression

Storefront Businesses

Your window display may be the first thing shoppers notice as they walk past or drive by your store. A welcoming display can catch their attention and encourage them to come inside. Try these low-cost ideas:

  • Add holiday window clings or festive signage.
  • Use battery-operated lights to highlight displays.
  • Place decorated planters or seasonal decorations near the entrance.
  • Feature popular gift items in the window.
  • Create a simple “Holiday Gift Guide” display with gifts at different price points.

Pop-Up and Craft Show Vendors

Customers often decide within seconds whether to stop at your booth. Make your space inviting and easy to browse with ideas such as:

  • Holiday-themed decorations.
  • Battery-powered string lights.
  • Attractive product groupings by price.
  • Clear signs such as “Gifts Under $25” or “Stocking Stuffers.”

Online Sellers

Your website and social media profiles are your digital storefront. Give them a seasonal update that helps shoppers discover what you offer and find items they want to buy. Consider:

  • Adding seasonal website banners.
  • Updating profile and cover photos on social media.
  • Creating gift collections and holiday shopping categories.
  • Featuring seasonal products on your homepage.

Offer Easy Gift Solutions

Many holiday shoppers are short on time or unsure what to buy. They appreciate suggestions that help them find a suitable gift without spending hours searching. Gift collections can also encourage customers to purchase more than one item and help you sell inventory that has been moving slowly.

Make gift shopping easier by creating:

  • Gift bundles.
  • Curated gift baskets.
  • “Top Picks” collections.
  • Lists of staff favorites.
  • Gift guides organized by recipient, such as teachers, moms, coffee lovers, or pet owners.

Make Shopping Feel Special

You don’t need an expensive event to make shopping enjoyable. Small touches can create a welcoming atmosphere and give customers a reason to visit your business. Try:

  • Offering free gift wrapping with a minimum purchase.
  • Providing complimentary gift tags.
  • Serving hot cocoa or offering holiday candy during special shopping hours.
  • Creating a small holiday photo backdrop where customers can take pictures with family and friends.
  • Staying open later one evening each week.

Encourage Repeat Visits

Simple incentives can encourage customers to return before the holidays end. Consider these options:

  • “Shop Three Times, Get $10 Off.” Customers can present receipts from two previous purchases to receive a discount on their third purchase.
  • Punch cards. Offer a reward based on the number of visits or the amount spent.
  • Bounce-back coupons. Give customers a coupon they can use in January to encourage another visit after the holidays.
  • Gift card bonuses. Offer a small bonus gift card when customers purchase a gift card above a certain amount.

Showcase Local and Handmade Items

Independent businesses have something that big-box stores often cannot offer: a direct connection to the people who make their products and the communities they serve.

If you operate a storefront, consider these ways to attract shoppers while supporting other local businesses:

  • Set aside space for local craftspeople to display and sell their products. Use small signs to identify the creators.
  • Invite a local craftsperson to host a trunk show in your store.
  • Use signs to highlight products made locally or with locally sourced materials.
  • Share your business’s story and explain how shopping with you supports the local community.

Use Social Media Consistently

You don’t need to pay for advertising to increase your visibility. Regular, useful posts can remind customers what you offer and give them reasons to visit or shop online.

Create a social media calendar for the rest of the holiday season. Planning ahead will help you stay consistent when business gets busy. Your posts could include:

  • New arrivals.
  • Gift ideas for different types of shoppers.
  • Customer favorites and testimonials. With permission, share customer videos or photos.
  • Behind-the-scenes looks at your business.
  • Progress on your holiday decorating.
  • Staff recommendations.
  • Demonstrations showing how to use your products.

Encourage Customers to Share Photos and Reviews

Content created by your customers can provide valuable word-of-mouth marketing. When people share pictures of products they’ve purchased or show how they use them, potential customers get a real-life look at what your business offers.

Encourage customers to:

  • Share photos of their purchases.
  • Tag your business in social media posts.
  • Leave reviews.
  • Show how they use your products.

Ask permission before reposting customer photos or other content on your own website or social media accounts.

Partner with Other Local Businesses

Working with other businesses can help you reach new customers without having to carry the entire marketing cost yourself. Consider partnering with businesses whose products or services complement yours.

Ideas include:

  • Cross-promotions.
  • Joint giveaways.
  • Shared holiday events.
  • Passport shopping programs that reward customers for visiting participating businesses.
  • Gift baskets featuring products from several local businesses.

Build an Affordable Holiday Email Campaign

Email remains a cost-effective way to stay in touch with customers and remind them about holiday shopping opportunities. If you already have an email list, use it to share timely information and helpful gift ideas.

Your emails could feature:

  • Holiday gift guides.
  • Weekly featured products.
  • Last-minute gift reminders.
  • Event announcements.
  • Local shopping promotions.
  • Coupons and special offers.

Keep your messages useful and relevant, and make sure customers have agreed to receive your marketing emails.

Create a Reason to Shop Now

Many shoppers wait until the last minute to buy gifts. Timely reminders can encourage customers to shop earlier, when more choices are available. Use email and social media to highlight genuine deadlines, limited inventory, or special offers.

For example, you might use messages such as:

  • “Limited Holiday Inventory.”
  • “Order by December 18 for Christmas Delivery,” if that deadline is accurate.
  • “Only 10 Remaining,” when stock is actually limited.
  • “Holiday Collection Available Through December 24,” if the collection will no longer be available afterward.

Be honest about deadlines and inventory. Customers should be able to trust the information you share.

Sell Gift Cards

Gift cards are convenient for shoppers who aren’t sure what to buy. They also provide your business with revenue now and can bring customers back for future purchases.

Consider offering:

  • Physical gift cards.
  • Digital gift cards.
  • Bonus gift cards, such as a $5 gift card with a $50 purchase.

Before offering a bonus, make sure the cost fits your budget and the promotion is worthwhile for your business.

Use Clear Price Points

Holiday shoppers often have a budget in mind. Make it easier for them to find suitable gifts by grouping products into price ranges and displaying the prices clearly.

For example:

  • Gifts Under $10.
  • Gifts Under $25.
  • Gifts Under $50.
  • Premium Gifts Over $100.

These categories can work in your store, at a craft show, or on your website.

Promote Stocking Stuffers

Small, affordable items can encourage customers to add one more purchase to their shopping bags. They also give shoppers easy options for coworkers, friends, and people who are difficult to buy for.

Depending on what your business sells, stocking stuffer ideas might include:

  • Candles.
  • Soaps.
  • Jewelry.
  • Specialty foods.
  • Accessories.
  • Seasonal decorations.

Display these items near checkout or group them together online to make them easy to find.

Try a “12 Days of Christmas” Promotion

A “12 Days of Christmas” promotion can build excitement without requiring large discounts or an expensive marketing campaign. Feature a different product or offer each day to give customers a reason to check back.

Ideas include:

  • A featured product.
  • A small giveaway.
  • A limited-time bundle.
  • Free shipping on qualifying orders.
  • Bonus loyalty points.

Plan the promotion in advance and choose offers that fit your budget and profit margins.

Thank Your Customers

During a season filled with marketing messages, a sincere thank-you can make your business stand out. Customers who feel appreciated may be more likely to return throughout the year.

Simple ways to show your gratitude include:

  • Handwritten thank-you notes. These can be especially meaningful when you sell higher-priced products or work with a smaller number of customers.
  • Personalized emails. A brief, genuine message can help customers feel that their business matters.
  • Small gifts with a purchase. Choose something affordable that complements what they bought.
  • Public appreciation posts. Thank your customers on social media without sharing personal information or photos unless you have their permission.

Final Thought

You don’t need a large holiday marketing budget to attract shoppers. A welcoming display, helpful gift suggestions, regular communication, and partnerships with other local businesses can help you make the most of the season.

The goal isn’t to outspend larger retailers. It’s to make shopping with your business convenient and worthwhile. By planning ahead and focusing on what your customers need, you can create a better shopping experience and give people more reasons to choose your business during the holidays—and return after the season ends.

How Small Purchases Grow Local Economies

Americans love flowers. We buy fresh flowers and plants to decorate our homes and offices. We give flowers to those we care about to express love, encouragement, sympathy, gratitude, and thanks. Americans spend $71 billion annually on flowers. That works out to $261 per adult per year, although some people spend a great deal more than that.

I read an article this week in which the writer lamented that her boss spends $1,400 per week on fresh flowers for her home. She felt that the expenditure was wasteful. The flowers wilt and are discarded after six or seven days, at which time they are replaced with a new batch.

While some people will agree with the writer, others may wish they had the ability to spend $1,400 per week on flowers. My thoughts, however, were directed toward a different question: How many small business owners profit from this woman’s weekly flower purchases?

When you place an order for fresh flowers from your local florist, you are supporting that small business. The margin above the wholesale cost of the flowers helps the florist pay the costs of operating her shop, including employee wages, rent, utilities, and insurance. But the purchase extends far beyond the florist shop.

The florist purchased the flowers from a grower or, more likely, from a flower wholesaler. The flowers had to be shipped from where they were grown to the retail shop. Each of these steps was accomplished by a business that directly benefited from the final purchase.

There are many businesses involved in the supply chain that starts with a grower planting flower seeds and ends with flowers in a shop, ready for purchase. Each business involved potentially benefits from every purchase made at a local flower shop. Here is a list of businesses that may benefit directly from each sale:

  1. Florist
  2. Flower farm
  3. Seed supplier
  4. Fertilizer supplier
  5. Irrigation supplier
  6. Greenhouse supplier
  7. Agricultural labor contractor
  8. Floral wholesaler
  9. Refrigerated warehouse
  10. Transportation company
  11. Fuel station
  12. Packaging manufacturer
  13. Ribbon supplier
  14. Greeting card company
  15. Credit card processor
  16. Bank
  17. POS software provider
  18. Internet provider
  19. Commercial landlord
  20. Utility companies
  21. Refrigeration maintenance company
  22. Accountant or bookkeeper

Additionally, many businesses benefit indirectly. The employees of the flower shop use their earnings to meet the needs of their families. They spend money at local grocery stores, restaurants, retail shops, doctors’ offices, and hair salons, just to name a few. This is referred to as the economic multiplier effect.

It is estimated that each dollar spent at a local small business contributes an additional $2–$4 to the local economy.

This spending cycle begins with a customer making a purchase at the flower shop. The florist then uses the money to buy more flowers, pay employees and delivery drivers, and pay other bills such as rent and utilities. This is the first round of the spending cycle.

In the second round, the employees and businesses that were paid by the florist spend the money they received to purchase groceries, buy supplies, and pay their bills.

The process continues as the money distributed in the second round is used by those recipients to pay their bills and reinvest in their businesses. In each round, some money is saved, some is used to pay taxes, and some leaves the local economy.

Thus, the $1,400 spent by the boss on flowers each week helps support economic activity throughout her local community. That weekly purchase doesn’t just benefit the florist. It helps support the growers, suppliers, transportation companies, employees, and other businesses connected to the purchase.

So, the next time you want to purchase flowers for yourself or as a gift for a friend, remember that purchasing from your local florist:

  1. Sustains the florist.
  2. Supports a network of growers, wholesalers, truckers, landlords, and service providers.
  3. Creates income for workers.
  4. Causes additional spending throughout the community.

One note of caution: Be sure your flower purchases fit into your budget.

But when you have room in your budget, buying flowers from your local florist can do more than brighten someone’s day. It can help brighten the local economy, too.

How to Create Buzz for Your New Small Business

Many clients I meet with are launching new businesses. It is important for them to attract attention and make their presence known in order to gain their first customers.

My husband and I opened our pizza restaurant in a busy shopping center in a small town. Our future customers watched with interest as the 7,000-square-foot addition to the shopping center was constructed and divided into four retail units. They peeked through the windows to watch the progress of the interior and tried to estimate how much longer it would be until our restaurant opened for business.

Despite all this attention, we still wanted to make a big splash, so we invested in a marketing blitz. Here are some of the strategies we used.

Join the Chamber of Commerce

Local Chambers of Commerce provide valuable support and connections for small business owners. We attended Chamber meetings and met many local business owners in the months leading up to our opening.

Chamber members are often very supportive of fellow members, and many of them became regular customers of our restaurant.

Hold a Grand Opening Celebration

We worked with our franchise team and the Chamber of Commerce to plan a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting event.

We advertised on the local radio station, and the Chamber president, town manager, and a local radio reporter attended the event. The reporter interviewed us, and the interview aired on the radio for several days. We also shared samples of our pepperoni pizza and breadsticks with attendees.

Place Yard Signs Around Town

We purchased inexpensive yard signs and placed them throughout town in the yards of friends and in front of businesses that gave us permission. Yard signs are highly visible to passing drivers and helped increase awareness of our upcoming opening.

Send Out Coupons

Our franchise provided legal-sized coupon sheets that we were required to distribute monthly. About a week before our grand opening, we had thousands of coupon sheets inserted into the local newspaper.

This strategy helped introduce our restaurant to potential customers before we officially opened our doors.

Advertise Locally

Local radio advertising is an affordable way to attract attention from new customers. We began running ads several weeks before our grand opening.

We also placed advertisements in high school basketball programs and local hotel guest information booklets to increase visibility within the community.

Engage the Local Community

We intentionally used local businesses for as much of our build-out as possible, including carpentry, plumbing, and HVAC services. We used a local print shop for our yard signs and employee manuals, purchased office supplies from a nearby stationery store, bought insurance from a local agent, and hired a local accountant to prepare our taxes.

As a result, many of those businesses visited our restaurant when we opened, and many became loyal customers.

We opened our business in 2000—before social media marketing existed in the way it does today. If I were opening a new business now, I would also include these strategies.

Establish an Online Presence Early

Create a website, establish your Google Business profile, and set up your social media platforms before opening day.

I would begin publicizing the business several weeks before the planned opening. Short videos and reels could be used to show the progress of preparing the restaurant, introduce employees, and preview menu items. These types of posts help build anticipation and excitement.

Share News with Friends and Business Contacts

Use email, newsletters, social media, and even traditional mail to announce your new business to friends, family, and professional contacts.

I would include photos of the restaurant, food, and staff, along with links to the website and menu. Coupons and special offers can also help encourage first visits.

Use Content Marketing to Build Interest

YouTube videos and blogs can help educate potential customers about your business, answer frequently asked questions, and share tips or behind-the-scenes content.

A historic building in our town is currently being renovated to resemble its appearance from 50 years ago. The owners are documenting the renovation process on YouTube and sharing stories about the building’s history. Local residents have also shared memories connected to the business. One of those videos has received more than 69,000 views.

This type of storytelling helps people feel emotionally connected to a business before it even opens.

Build Relationships with Complementary Businesses

Partner with businesses that serve the same customer base but do not compete directly with your company.

For example, if you own a lawn care business, you might build referral relationships with power washers, HVAC companies, carpet cleaners, plumbers, or handyman services. All of these businesses serve homeowners and small businesses, making them valuable referral partners.

It is important to promote your business widely in the weeks leading up to your opening. You want excitement and curiosity to build so that when you finally open your doors, customers are eager to walk through them.

What creative ideas have you seen businesses use to promote a grand opening?

Attract Holiday Shoppers Online and In-Store

If you want a successful holiday season, your first task is to attract shoppers to your business. You can do this by creating enticing marketing promotions, decorating your store or website to capture attention, and offering a warm, welcoming atmosphere once customers arrive. Here are some creative ideas to help you draw in potential shoppers this season.

Brick-and-Mortar Retail Stores

  • Design eye-catching window displays. Use creative holiday décor—especially pieces that include movement—to attract attention. Feature new or seasonal merchandise and rotate displays every week or two to keep things fresh.
  • Showcase your bestsellers. Include a “Christmas Wish List” in your window with products ranging from your most affordable to your premium items to show that you have gifts for every budget.
  • Add digital displays. Use a small screen or slideshow to highlight featured products and inform potential customers of your inventory even when your store is closed.
  • Create a festive atmosphere. Holiday music and simple refreshments—such as hot cider, coffee, or cookies—encourage shoppers to linger.
  • Offer samples. If you sell food products, let customers taste-test items before buying.
  • Provide seating. A comfortable spot for companions of shoppers can extend how long customers browse.
  • Host exclusive experiences. Reward loyal customers with special early-access shopping events or trunk shows.
  • Plan special appearances. Invite Santa or a local musician to entertain shoppers and bring in more foot traffic.
  • Provide gift-wrapping services. Partner with a local school or club to offer gift wrapping as a fundraiser.
  • Give back. Donate a portion of profits to a local charity and promote this partnership in your advertising and in-store signage.
  • Highlight local products. Share the stories of your local suppliers with framed displays or flyers near their merchandise.

Restaurants

  • Offer limited-time holiday menus with festive entrées, desserts, and beverages.
  • Collaborate with nearby businesses. Partner with local retailers to host early shopping breakfasts or special dining-and-shopping packages.
  • Support local artisans. Allow artists or craftspeople to display and sell their items in your waiting area.
  • Create relaxation packages. Partner with a nearby spa for a “break from the holiday hustle” special, or offer a couples’ package that includes a massage or carriage ride.
  • Offer holiday catering or “take-and-heat” meals for customers who want festive food without the work.
  • Host themed events. Plan fun nights like “Ugly Sweater Night” or “Grinch Night,” and reward participants with a free appetizer or dessert.
  • Give back to the community. Support toy drives or local charities and reward customers who participate with discounts or free items.
  • Feature live entertainment. Invite local musicians or choir groups to perform during the season.

Online Shopping Sites

  • Run strategic promotions. Announce limited-time offers on your social media platforms and create urgency with countdowns or flash sales.
  • Engage your customers. Use email campaigns to promote new products and upcoming specials.
  • Add festive website elements. Incorporate holiday-themed banners, animations, or gentle falling snow to create a seasonal feel that keeps shoppers on your site longer.
  • Simplify purchasing. Offer free shipping, easy returns, and multiple payment options—including digital wallets—to reduce purchase hesitation.
  • Bundle gifts. Create curated gift sets and lists organized by price point, recipient, or interest.
  • Encourage return visits. Send special discounts to first-time buyers or reminders to customers who left items in their cart.

Final Thoughts

These strategies can help attract shoppers to your store, restaurant, or website—and keep them engaged once they arrive. Be creative, offer variety, and maintain a welcoming atmosphere. When your business feels festive and customer-focused, you’ll not only increase holiday sales but also build long-term loyalty that lasts well beyond the season.

Remote Work Trends You Should Know

The way we work has changed dramatically in recent years. Remote work, once limited to a few industries, became mainstream during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a necessity has now evolved into an expectation for many employees. Flexibility in work location is often used as a bargaining chip to attract and retain talent, and new workplace trends have emerged as a result.

In this blog, we’ll look at three of the most talked-about trends—coffee badging, workcations, and digital nomadism—and what they mean for small business owners and managers.

Coffee Badging

Coffee badging is when employees make a brief appearance in the office—long enough to swipe their badge, grab a coffee, and connect with colleagues—before heading home to work remotely. While not every employee literally swipes in, the term has stuck to describe this trend.

In fact, I sometimes coffee badge myself on days I work remotely. I’ll come in for a staff meeting, chat for a few minutes afterward, and then return home where I can be more productive without office distractions.

The positives of coffee badging:

  • Creates opportunities for employees to connect in person, which can spark collaboration and problem-solving.
  • Breaks the isolation of remote work.
  • Helps employees maintain visibility and presence in the workplace without being tied to the office full-time.
  • Supports work-life balance while keeping connections intact.

The drawbacks of coffee badging:

  • Brief interactions may not be enough to build strong teams.
  • Employees who live far from the office may be excluded.
  • Some workers show up only to be seen, without contributing.

How leaders can make coffee badging effective:

  • Focus in-office meetings on activities that benefit from face-to-face interaction.
  • Use these times to recognize and encourage employees.
  • Ensure fully remote employees aren’t left out of opportunities or recognition.
  • Create a welcoming environment with coffee, snacks, and comfortable spaces.

Workcations

A “workcation” happens when employees travel to a vacation spot but continue working while they’re away. The appeal is obvious—new scenery, a chance to unwind after work hours, and often a boost in creativity. But without boundaries, workcations can blur the line between work and rest.

Tips to make workcations effective:

  • Employees should communicate clearly with their manager about work hours, especially if in a different time zone.
  • Reliable internet is a must—check this before booking.
  • Take at least a few true vacation days during the trip to fully recharge.
  • Plan around mandatory meetings and let travel companions know your schedule.

Digital Nomadism

Digital nomadism goes a step further: it’s not just a week away, but a lifestyle of traveling and working from anywhere. Enabled by the internet, this trend has grown significantly in the last 15 years. Today, many digital nomads are not just freelancers but full-time employees negotiating this flexibility with their companies.

Benefits:

  • Flexibility to live and work anywhere.
  • Exposure to new cultures and lifestyles.
  • Potential for improved work-life balance.

Challenges:

  • Navigating work permits and visa requirements.
  • Understanding tax and employment laws.
  • Coordinating across time zones with colleagues.
  • Protecting sensitive company data abroad.

Final Thoughts

Remote work has created both opportunities and challenges. Coffee badging, workcations, and digital nomadism are trends that reflect employees’ desire for flexibility and balance. As a small business owner, you don’t need to embrace every trend, but it is wise to understand them.

Take time to evaluate which positions in your company can be done effectively outside the office. Develop clear guidelines for remote work, and balance flexibility with accountability. Done right, offering remote options can help you attract and retain top talent who might not otherwise consider your business.