Small business owners, the holidays are here. If you want to make the most of the season, you need a solid plan in place. From decorating your store to hiring seasonal help, there are a lot of things to think about. But don't worry, we're here to help. In this post from the Oberlin Business Partnership, we'll give you all the tips and tricks you need to make sure your small business is ready for the holiday rush.

Dress Your Store for the Holidays

One of the first things you need to do to get your small business ready for the holidays is to start decorating your store. This will help create a festive atmosphere that will put your customers in the holiday shopping mood. But don't go overboard—you want your store to look festive, not cluttered. A few well-placed holiday decorations should do the trick.

Hire Seasonal Help as Needed

Another important thing to do when getting your small business ready for the holiday season is to hire some seasonal help. This extra set of hands will be invaluable during the busiest time of year. When hiring seasonal employees, be sure to take your time and find people who are a good fit for your business. You don't want to end up with a bunch of grinches working in your store!

Make Marketing Updates for the Holidays

During the holidays, people are bombarded with marketing messages from all sides. To cut through the noise, you'll need to make some changes to your marketing strategy. First, take a look at your messaging and make sure it's holiday-themed. Second, ramp up your social media presence—now is not the time to be shy on social media. Finally, consider running some holiday-specific promotions or discounts. These changes will help ensure that your marketing efforts are successful during the busy holiday season.

Make an Easy Gift Guide With PDFs

If you want to make it easy for your customers to find gifts for their loved ones, create a gift guide using PDFs. This guide can include items from your store as well as other businesses in your community. Be sure to promote your gift guide on social media and in other marketing materials. You can easily convert PDF to jpg using a free online tool, which can be especially helpful when creating shareable social media content. You can even create a special section on your website devoted to gift ideas.

Help Last-Minute Shoppers

No matter how well they plan, there will always be some shoppers who leave their holiday shopping until the last minute. To help them out, offer some last-minute gift ideas on your website or social media channels. You can also extend your hours or offer delivery services for those who wait until the last minute.

Support Your Local Community

The holidays are also a great time to support your local community. There are many ways you can do this, such as donating items from your store to a local charity or hosting a food drive at your business. By giving back to those in need, you'll not only be helping others—you'll also be improving your brand's reputation. And that's something everyone can feel good about this holiday season.

The holidays are an important time for small businesses—if you want to make the most of it, you need a solid plan in place. From decorating your store and hiring seasonal help, to marketing changes and creating an easy gift guide using PDFs—there's a lot to think about! But don't worry, we've got you covered with all the tips and tricks you need to make sure your small business is ready for the holiday rush. So what are you waiting for? Start getting prepared today!

Looking for business support? The Oberlin Business Partnership champions our community’s economic and cultural growth through networking, events, and advocacy. Become a member today!