Preparing for Holiday Shopping - Small Business Edition

Social Media Tips to Boost Sales

Now is the time to begin your holiday social media campaigns. One thing you will want to focus on is what sets your business apart. As a small business, you are already unique - so leverage that and concentrate your efforts on reaching the right customers and not the masses.

Use Small Business Saturday to your advantage! Last year, Small Business Saturday generated $4.68 billion dollars in sales. With longer shipping times projected for this year along with increased shipping costs, shoppers will be looking for local alternatives. 

If you are a product focused business, Instagram and Facebook both have options to help you highlight your holiday sales and offerings. Instagram offers Instagram Shop, a convenient way for potential customers to shop your Instagram content directly. All you need is a product, a website, or an eCommerce platform like Shopify connected. Having an online shop tied to your Instagram account also increases your customer service, something small businesses are known for. 

You can also created a Catalog on Facebook. This will help you reach high-intent shoppers by optimizing the way your ads reach people across Facebook apps and the web. You can pair a catalog with different types of ads to promote your products, including dynamic ads, carousel and collection format, collaborative ads and more. You will need to create and manage your catalog in Commerce Manager, which is available on desktop only.

Content + Product Tips

November is the time to ramp up your holiday marketing strategy. Build brand awareness and promote content that leads to conversions.

1) Be sure to create holiday focused content with strong Calls to Action. Customers are looking for holiday content, deals, and ideas. Show them what you have and don't make them work for it.

2) Host giveaways or promotions that will generate demand and incentive to purchase.

3) Show your face and keep your small business as the focus. Part of why people like small businesses is because of the people behind them! 

4) Partner with other local, small business to help promote each other's products or services. This helps you both reach new audiences.