Nine Planning Tips for Makers to Boost Holiday Sales without Getting Overwhelmed

We are entering the busiest time of year for makers....

Between craft fairs, pop-ups and online orders, the fourth quarter is not just hectic but it’s the time when most small creative businesses make up to 40% of their revenue for the whole year! How can you capitalize on holiday sales without getting overwhelmed? You need a solid plan and that’s why I’ve outlined some of the key things you should do before, during and after this season so you can make the most out of it!

Before I get to the tips, I’d like to invite you to two FREE webinars from our friends at Constant Contact:

28 Ideas to Light Up Your Holiday Marketing – Thu, Nov 10, 2022 11:00 AM PT – RSVP here
Light Up Your Holiday Marketing: Ask Us Anything – Thu, Dec 15, 2022 11:00 AM PT – RSVP here

And, if you’re ready to use email marketing to grow your business, you can get 30% off your first three months with Constant Contact right here just for being a part of the Dear Handmade Life community.

TASKS TO DO BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Update your website and social media bios.
Make sure that your website is up to date with your current stock and info, add a holiday deal or greeting to your landing page and add any holiday specials or info to your social media bios (we love using Linktree so we can share multiple links in our bio).

Plan list growers.
Your online shop will see an increase in traffic making it the perfect time to capture those email addresses. Even if someone doesn’t buy this season, they may turn into a customer down the road. Use a special holiday discount opt-in on your site to grow your email list or run a contest to build your email list.

Create launches for holiday products.
Instead of just adding your holiday products to your website and posting once on social media, create an intentional launch. This means doing teasers, creating content revealing new products, offering early bird specials or other incentives and posting on multiple channels (social media, your emails and even text). BONUS: Increase the traction of your launch posts by boosting them on social media with paid ads.

Plan your shipping cutoff windows.
Do your research ahead of time and figure out when you can realistically take your last orders and create, pack and ship them in time for holiday arrival. Then, stick to your plan. If you make exceptions and take orders after your deadline, you’ll create unneeded stress. Add your deadlines to your website, online shops, emails, email signature, and even your social media platforms to make sure your customers know what to expect. Don’t forget to let them know when your shop will reopen after your holiday break.

TASKS TO DO DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Take care of yourself.
Just because this is a busy time doesn’t mean it’s time to throw your self care out the window. Taking the time to take care of yourself during stressful times will actually increase your productivity and shield you against burnout. So, schedule that yoga class, walk, lunch with a friend or binge watching session.

Share the process over IG Stories or go Live.
Create an intimate connection with your audience by sharing behind the scenes of your holiday prep on Instagram or Facebook Live or over stories. Packing orders may seem boring to you but your audience loves to see this type of content that feels exclusive and personal. It helps build trust and increases relatability.

Take notes on what is working and jot down ideas for next season.
You know that great idea you came up with in the middle of the night but didn’t write down? You don’t? Oh yeah, that’s because you didn’t write it down! You may think you’ll remember the tips and adjustments that you learn this season to make next season smoother but if you don’t write them down, they’ll be lost. Have a note in your phone where you can add this info in real time and then set aside a few hours to go through your notes and adjust your plan for next year accordingly.

TASKS TO DO AFTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Thank and treat your customers.
Just when you think it’s time to relax, here comes Nicole piling on some more stuff onto your TO-DO list. Sorry friends but these after holiday marketing opportunities can be a big sales boost and build your rapport with your audience. Send a thank you email and go the extra mile by adding a special gift, a little post-holiday treat yo’self deal or a gift with purchase for your customers goes a long way.

Give your audience an on-brand gift.
Get creative and make something special to give to your audience. Investing just a few hours into creating a little digital something for them shows them that you value them and increases that trust factor. Create something that feels relevant to your audience and is on-brand like a guide, checklist, holiday recipe, playlist for the new year, a tips & tricks sheet etc.

I’ve also gathered some awesome FREE resources from our friends at Constant Contact:

and don't forget these free webinars!

28 Ideas to Light Up Your Holiday Marketing – Thu, Nov 10, 2022 11:00 AM PT – RSVP here
Light Up Your Holiday Marketing: Ask Us Anything – Thu, Dec 15, 2022 11:00 AM PT – RSVP here