Getting An Early Start On Holiday Season Preparations

Yes, October is barely a week old. But that doesn’t mean that it’s too early to prepare for the forthcoming holiday shopping rush. In fact, it’s the perfect time of year to begin your preparations. Many Canadians have already begun their holiday shopping in an effort to beat the soon-to-be huge crowds. Many others simply like getting their holiday shopping out of the way.

The holiday shopping season will practically be here by the end of the month. It’s a common tradition for the day after Halloween to be one when the orange and black get exchanged for the green and red in malls everywhere. So what will you do to get an early start on your holiday season preparations?

Get busy growing your online audience.

There is no time of year when it’s not recommended to have a strong online presence. All throughout the year, you have opportunities to grow your customer base by engaging with consumers on social media, regularly updating those who’ve subscribed to your email list and constantly updating your website with new content. As Ryan Pinkham of Constant Contact reminds us, using social media and email is vital to succeeding during the holidays.

“Email allows you to create a series of timely messages to announce your holiday plans, remind people about important dates and deadlines, and thank people for shopping small during the holiday season,” he writes, “Social media allows you to tell your story in different ways, across a variety of channels. You can create a posting schedule before the season arrives, and use these different platforms to connect with customers and keep them engaged throughout the season.”

Hire seasonal workers.

Things are about to pick up. You’re going to need a little extra help. Get to work on your recruitment strategies in order to find talented individuals who are looking for seasonal job opportunities.

“If you expect to require additional help for the holidays, make your hiring plans now,” insists Barbara Weltman on TheStoryExchange.org, , “With the unemployment rate low, expect to have trouble finding the people you need for the holiday season. Be sure to budget for payroll expenses. GlassDoor can help you determine what hourly rate to pay your seasonal staff.”

Launch your holiday specials now!

Why not get a head start on the holiday rush by announcing your holiday discounts before your competitors? Who says you can’t have a holiday sale in October? As Pinkham informs us, to get people into your store, you’ll need to make sure you have a compelling offer. He suggests such actions as offering coupons or hosting holiday events.

“Hosting a holiday event is the perfect way to thank employees and customers for their continued support throughout the whole year,” he notes, “It’s also a great opportunity to bring customers into your store and provide a memorable holiday experience.”

No matter which advertising strategy you decide to use to prepare your business for the holiday season, you’ll need funding to make it work. At Synergy Merchants, our merchant cash advance program can get you the cash you need immediately! For more information, call us at 1-877-718-2026 or email us at info@synergymerchants.com. You can also apply online for a free, no obligation quote!