It's the holiday season and the perfect time to make more people notice your business and bring in customers. Here are eight simple ideas to make your business stand out:

Team Up with Other Businesses

Make friends with nearby businesses. Give discounts to customers who show receipts from your partner store. Think about teaming up with a toy store if you sell kids' clothes or work with a restaurant near a movie theater.

Example: Cohort Craft Brewery and Dakota Steam Learning's Holiday Sip and STEAM

Host Holiday Workshops

Make people excited about the holidays by organizing workshops. Have activities like making holiday crafts, wrapping gifts, or cooking unique festive dishes. It's hands-on and adds a happy touch to the shopping experience.

Bring in Outside Entertainment

Go beyond the usual decorations and music. Have live entertainment like musicians, storytellers, face painters, or magicians. Make sure it fits your business. Tell people online and put up signs to attract regular and new customers.

Example: The Box's Parade of Trees Family Night

Use Social Media

Use social media to tell everyone about your holiday deals. Share info about your sales and events. Share helpful tips, too. For example, if you sell things, share gift guides. If you do catering, share ideas for parties and decorations. Being creative on social media helps engage your customers.

Example: Windsor Block's Highball Christmas Eve

Hold a Raffle or Contest

Get customers involved and make them excited by organizing a raffle or contest. It adds fun and makes your business a go-to place for holiday fun.

Example: New Year's Eve 2024 at The Hotel Alex Johnson

Donate to Charity

Spread kindness by giving back to the community. Pick a local charity and give a part of your sales to them on a specific day or from a specific product. It helps a good cause and shows your business in a positive light.

Example: Rapid Valley United Methodist Church's Souper Supper

Include a Gift with Purchase

Encourage customers to spend more by giving them a gift with their purchase. Have different gifts for different spending levels. This boosts sales and gives customers a nice and memorable shopping experience.

Example: Sprockets Fun Foundry's New Year's Eve Family Fun Event

Offer Time-Sensitive Deals

Understand that people are in a rush during the holidays. Offer deals only for a short time tied to Christmas, upcoming parties, or other events. This makes customers decide to buy quickly.

By trying out these easy ideas, your business will not only become a holiday go-to. Still, it will also keep customers interested in the coming year. It's the season to stand out and make people happy!

Did we miss any important tips for promoting a business through the holidays? Let us know!