Top 10 holiday marketing questions every business needs to answer!

As holiday seasons descends upon us, it is a perfect opportunity to take a few moments to optimize your marketing activities.

Even if you only follow a few of these tips you’ll be well on your way to making it a happy holiday season.

Let’s begin...

Do you have one member of staff (at least) who is responsible for your social media accounts?

Give one person responsibility and let them experiment with building a community around your business during this time. Ask them to find the channels ‘where your potential customers are at’ and look to engage with them there. This is a perfect way to connect with

Are you posting pictures of your existing customers looking delighted?

Following the same principle, having one person who is snapping pics of people’s purchases is a great way for them to spread the word far and wide. You may even build a ‘wall of smiling faces’ in the real world where you display your community members for others to see too.

Have you adjusted your opening hours on your online listings?

A straightforward tip, but you may forget in the frenzy of sales that you need to adjust your hours. And think about all the channels, from Google Maps, to Facebook, to Yelp, and beyond. After all, you wouldn’t want people to think you are shut!

Have you looked to partner with other businesses to bundle services/products and increase?

If you can help each other win, you get more. So how about finding people with complementary services and teaming up? If you sell essential oils, then team up with a massage therapist; if you are selling books, how about connecting with a local cafe or restaurant where you can to start build a vibe of people visiting once they’ve purchased. Think: who could you team up with? What would you offer together?

Are you looking at how to bring loyal existing customers back?

Maximising life-time value (LTV) of a customer is the name of the game for many businesses. If you have in mind that it is a long game, you will treat people right and bring them back. Could you have a loyalty card/scheme? Or how about making sure they are on your email list for upcoming special events, made just for people like them?

Either way, you bring them back at a very low additional cost to you.

Do you have a recommendation program in place?

Your customers have friends like them, so how can you encourage them to bring them along? It may not be a direct financial reward, and the latest cultural emergence seems to favour simply making people feel appreciated.

Have you prepped staff about ways you can delight customers?

Spontaneous 'treats' like a free cake when people by a coffee gives them the warm and fuzzies they are being looked after.

If you are a local business, have you connected with local journalists yet?

Local papers and online sites are always looking to new stories and angles.

If you look to make friends with those who have ‘reach’, you may well be able to help them out too.

Should you plan an event?

Whether it is online or off, bringing people together at this time has to be a winner.

And finally…

Where can you look to spend more money and get more people ‘walk through the door’?

There is a cost to acquiring every new customer that arrives, so take a look at all the existing marketing channels you have set up and ask:

“What is working well, and how could I spend more on this marketing channel?

All in all, take 30 minutes out of your usual business operations to reflect and make the most of this opportunity. Make it about them, your customers, and help them spread the word about what you do.

Martin Shervington is CEO of PlusYourBusiness.com and one of the Google Small Business Advisor crew.

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Martin is a keynote speaker, author (business, personal development), marketing consultant and Official Google Small Business Advisor Founder and community manager of 'Plus Your Business' he spends much of his time supporting businesses make the most of Social, Search and Spend, including Google+, Adwords and Reviews.

"When it comes to social media, Martin Shervington is one of the most clever and hard working people you'll find. He'll help you take your game to the next level."

GUY KAWASAKI

 "Reviews are the lifeblood of most local companies, and Martin and his team provide the wisdom and guidance you need to master this business imperative."

JAY BAER  - Best selling author of "Youtility"

"@MartinSherv...can help YOU grow your business. Smart guy. :)"

CHRIS BROGAN - New York Times best selling author