The holiday season is a crucial time for small businesses. In fact, according to the National Retail Federation, holiday retail sales in the United States alone totaled nearly $887 billion in 2021. That's why it's so important to have a strategy in place to make the most of the holiday season.

There are a few key things you'll need to do to get your small business ready for the holidays. First, you'll need to decorate your storefront and hire seasonal staff. Next, you'll want to update your marketing approach for the season and create an affordable gift guide using PDFs. Finally, don't forget to give back to the local community and attract last-minute shoppers. By following these tips from the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce, you'll be well on your way to having a successful holiday season.

Hire Seasonal Help

TouchBistro notes that an important part of preparing your small business for the holidays is hiring seasonal staff. This can be a great way to meet increased demand during the holiday season without overburdening your regular employees. When hiring seasonal staff, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, start early. The sooner you start looking for seasonal employees, the better chance you have of finding qualified candidates. Second, be clear about what you're looking for. What kind of skills and experience do you need? And finally, don't forget about training. Make sure your seasonal employees know what they're doing before they're let loose on the sales floor or customer service line.

Create a PDF Gift Guide

One of the best ways to market your small business during the holidays is by creating a gift guide using PDFs. If you first generate your material – including graphics, text and color scheme – in Word, PowerPoint, or even Excel – you can easily generate a PDF with a free document converter. This is a great way to showcase your products and services while giving potential customers some ideas on what they can buy from you this holiday season. Plus, it's relatively affordable and easy to do if you follow these steps:

1) Research popular gift items within your niche market

2) Find creative ways to package those items into an attractive PDF

3) Distribute your gift guide through social media channels and email lists

4) Use paid advertising platforms like Google AdWords or Facebook Ads

5) Monitor click-through rates (CTRs) and conversion rates so that you can adjust your approach as needed

By following these steps, you'll be able to create an effective gift guide that will help boost sales during the holiday season without breaking the bank.

Decorate Your Store for the Holidays

One of the first things you'll need to do to get your small business ready for the holidays is decorating your storefront. This will help attract customers and get them in the holiday spirit. But before you start hanging up lights and putting up decorations, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, consider your budget. Decorating doesn't have to be expensive, but it can add up quickly if you're not careful. Second, think about your brand identity. What kind of message do you want to send with your holiday decorations? And finally, don't forget about safety. Make sure all of your decorations are safe and secure so they don't pose a hazard to customers or passersby.

Make Holiday Updates to Your Marketing

Your marketing approach also needs to be updated for the holidays. This is a great time to reach out to new customers and remind existing ones about what you have to offer. There are a few things you should keep in mind when updating your marketing approach for the holidays.

First, think about what kind of message you want to send. What are your goals for this holiday season? Second, consider your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your marketing efforts? And finally, don't forget about timing. Make sure your marketing materials are released in time for people to see them and act on them.

The holidays are a vital time for small businesses when it comes to boosting sales and attracting new customers. There are a few key things you'll need to do to get ready for the busy season, including decorating your storefront, hiring seasonal staff, updating your marketing approach, and creating an affordable gift guide using PDFs. By using these tips, you can ensure that your small business is ready for a successful holiday season.

Connect with and learn from other local business leaders by joining the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce.