10 Ways to get More Business During Christmas

The madness of Black Friday may be over but there are still many consumers running around getting last minute Christmas gifts. Here are some tips to help spread holiday cheer and get more shoppers this year.

1. Decorate the store and show how festive you are!

2. Put together a holiday gift baskets for shoppers to buy

3. Crank up that Christmas music and get people in the holiday spirit!

4. Offer gift wrapping with purchase

5. Offer small stocking stuffer items

6. Decorate your businesses Christmas tree

7. Plan a fun holiday Event and upload it on $LN

8. Don’t forget to smile!

9. Post a Christmas Deal on $LN to get them excited!

10. And of course, wish all your amazing loyal customers a Merry Christmas!

About Grace

Grace is our Production Manager. She received her degree in video production and communications from Ohio University. She is part of the production team which helps to make $LN "fun and cool". grace.roulston@savelocalnow.com

Checklist: How to handle Small Business Saturday like a champ!

Small Business Saturday is a tradition started in 2010 by American Express to encourage consumers to visit their local and smaller sized businesses. Falling on the day after Black Friday when big box stores are knocking down prices (and sometimes people) to get rid of products, Small Business Saturday offers shoppers a more comfortable experience with unique items. We obviously think it is a good idea to shop local any time of the year but we love the idea of having a special day for the businesses. Thus, here is a quick checklist for things a small business owner can do to prepare for the day. (Hint: A lot of these you can do using your Save Local Now account!)

 

Visit the American Express Website

 They have a lot of free resources for you to use! Everything from logos and printables to shopping bags and doormats to let your customers know you are participating in the event. You can also join community circles and use social media templates to spread the word.

 

Update your email contact list

 Clear out the bouncers and add any new ones you might have acquired. Also have fresh email sign up sheets ready for the big day.

 

Create a holiday deal that encourages referrals

There is nothing you can do in your own marketing efforts that outweighs the recommendation of a good friend. With everyone looking to spend some money in the next two months, now is a good time to launch this deal and let it expire after the new year.

 

Create a countdown to the big day

Post it to your social media accounts or send it out in email. Get creative with it! You can post a new picture of some great item in your store with every new day or post something that will be on your menu to entice local shoppers to stop by for the Small Business Specials. If you are a service or less visual business you can still keep it fun by adding quick videos or snap shots of the staff to let people see your fun side!

 

Update your information

A lot of people will be in from out of town. Make sure your address and contact information is correct both on your Save Local Now profile, and on any other travel or business listing sites.

 

Encourage year-round savings

Encourage every new customer who comes through the door on Small Business Saturday to download the Save Local Now app. Remind them that they can find you, and all the other local businesses in the chamber on Save Local Now any time of the year, and even follow their favorites.
We are wishing you all the very best of luck for Small Business Saturday as well as the rest of the holidays! Please remember to check back in with us at the blog for more tips, tricks, and holiday fun! Also, If you have a great holiday idea or story to share with us please do so at blog@savelocalnow.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

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About Alicia

 

Alicia is the Brand Curator and Marketing Manager for Save Local Now. Alicia hails from Northeastern Ohio, but spent a few years after college living like a gypsy and pursuing her diverse interests. She is part of the production team, which helps to make $LN "fun and cool". alicia.busa@savelocalnow.com

10 Reasons to Shop Local

1. Shopping local creates jobs.
Most local stores hire within the community. Making them successful allows them to hire more people, which creates more jobs which means even more money spent locally!

2. Shopping local saves you money.
It might appear cheaper in big box stores or online but every little bit counts…including gas and shipping. When you shop at the store that you can walk to you won’t have to pay for any of that! Who doesn’t want to save on gas?!

3. shops do more to give back to the community.
Most local businesses do a lot to support our communities through local charities, school and community events. Doing good feels great!

4. Better customer service.
Studies have shown us time and time again that people receive better customer service when they shop locally.

5. Avoiding Walmart.
Do we have to say more?

6. Shopping local keeps services in business.
Local shops go hand in hand with the local services such as the tailor, hairdresser and banker. If there are no shops then there are no services…which means you’d have to cut your own hair.

7. Keep dollars Local
Fact: Locally owned businesses put a greater revenue share back into the local economy compared to chain stores.

8. Support entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is what fuels America’s economy. Be patriotic! Support innovation and prosperity!

9. Help the environment.
Not only are you helping your wallet by not spending money on transportation but your also helping the environment. Shopping local means less sprawl, congestion, habitat loss, and pollution.

10. Local shops offer more unique products
Shopping locally provides you with the opportunity to discover something different. You’re not likely to find the same thing at a local store as you would at the mall. Find something unique like a vintage prom dress or maybe even a unicorn!

Don’t forget: Small business Saturday is November 30th. Get out and buy local! Use the Save Local Now app to find all the great deals and holiday events your local stores have to offer!

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About Grace

Grace is our Production Manager. She received her degree in video production and communications from Ohio University. She is part of the production team which helps to make $LN "fun and cool". grace.roulston@savelocalnow.com

Get Ready for This Holiday Season

The holiday season is among us! I know, hard to believe right? So, how are you going to get crowds to deck the halls at your business this year? Don’t worry if you don’t have an answer to that just yet, we’ve got a few tips to help you out!

Host an Event

Hosting events is a great way to promote yourself and get people going through the door. Think about it, are you more likely to go to a mall with smelly food courts and pretentious stores or, go to that really cute store around the corner that’s hosting an event that gives you free cupcakes with purchase? I vote cupcake. If your feeling really creative, get that local cupcake store to work with you. Cross promotion is the best way to get the local community involved and it’s a win win for both of you! Be creative and festive also by hanging up decorations and playing seasonal music to get people in the holiday spirit. You can also take to social media. Hold Facebook competitions where winners receive prizes that encourage them to come to the store. You’ll not only build your following, but you’ll also get more shoppers in your store.

Sell Small

Everyone’s looking for a great way to save. Selling products that make good gifts makes everyone happy. Put together a small gift package like roll on perfumes, travel sized hair products, lotions, and packets of tea and voila you’ve got a great product you’re customers will love and appreciate. These items can be marketed as great stocking stuffer too! It’s also a great way to get shoppers to sample your products as well, which will encourage them to come back again and again which brings us to our final tip…

Encourage Loyal Customers

Everyone wants to feel like they matter, and you should be treating your loyal customers like VIP. These loyalty programs can be super effective during the holiday season. It can be as simple as sending them a holiday card or giving them a free ornament with purchase. These little things mean a lot to the customer and makes them feel like they get something special when they shop with you. Your employees also deserve a little appreciation. Host a Christmas party or have an employee appreciation night and allow them to bring their friends. Show them how grateful you are for their hard work and maybe they’ll be encouraged to work even harder.

Of course we’ll always be here to provide more ideas but these quick tips should help get you started! What are you waiting for? GO!

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About Grace

Grace is our Production Manager. She received her degree in video production and communications from Ohio University. She is part of the production team which helps to make $LN “fun and cool”. grace.roulston@savelocalnow.com