Holiday Survival Guide for Small Business Owners
Stay Sane, sell more, and celebrate the holidays (and your contributions) smarter!
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The holiday season can be a magical time, but for small business owners, it can also be the most stressful time of the year. Between managing your inventory, launching seasonal promotions, and trying to enjoy the season as a normal person, you also feel the pressure of competing with big box stores and online shopping; itâs easy â and normal â to feel overwhelmed.
However, the holidays should be joyful - and they can be productive at the same time!
Below, find a survival guide packed with practical tips to help entrepreneurs stay focused, less stressed, while making the most of the holiday season.
Start With Strategy
Before diving into your holiday rush, we can take a moment to plan. Starting now, well before the pressures of Black Friday and Christmas shopping takes over, will help you feel more prepared in the long run.
Set clear goals â Whether you want to hit a revenue target, launch a new product or platform, or want to feel justified in taking a few days off to recharge.
Start with a holiday season planner to map out your campaigns, shipping deadlines, and block off the days you will take off (because you deserve time to rest!)
Prioritize tasks that will help you drive the most impact to your goals. Not everything has to be done at once.
Delegate early with hiring seasonal help, outsourcing business support, or automating seasonal email marketing
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Prepare Your Products Like a Pro
Having inventory issues is a one-way ticket to turning your holiday cheer into total chaos. You can get ahead of the rush by reviewing your stock and ordering anything you may need â early.
Bundle products into gift sets to increase your average order value
Highlight your bestselling products to create urgency with limited time offers and promotions
Communicate your shipping cutoffs clearly and early on your web and social platforms.
Market Smarter, Not Harder
Your holiday marketing does not have to be overwhelming. With a little bit of preparation, you can stay visible all season without burning yourself out.
Schedule your social media campaigns in advance using features on Buffer, Meta business Suite, or Canva.
Use seasonal visuals and hashtags to reach your target audience. #ShopSmall, #HolidayDeals, #GiftLocal
Reward your loyal customers with exclusive discounts or early access to seasonal stock.
Protect Your Peace
You business (and you) needs YOU at your best â so do not forget to take care of yourself
Block time off in your calendar to do anything but working â even if it is just for a few hours
Set boundaries with clients and customers (response times, order deadlines, shop hours)
Practice quick stress-relief techniques like gentle yoga, meditation, or journalling.
You cannot pour from an empty cup, especially during the holidays.
Celebrate Your Customers
The holidays are a great time to build deeper connections with your community!
Host an in person event to showcase your products and celebrate in a casual manner!
Share behind-the-scenes moments on social media â decorating, packaging, or team traditions
Send handwritten notes or small gifts in orders to loyal customers to show appreciation
đ¸ Tag startworksIt on instagram in your holiday posts for a chance to be featured!
The holiday season doesnât have to be a hustle â it can be a time of growth, gratitude, and connection. With a little planning and a lot of heart, small business owners can thrive during the busiest time of the year.
We are here to help you do what you do best. If you have any questions or concerns, you can find us at The Longview Gallery every Friday for âWork from the Office Fridaysâ or stop by any Wednesday during Office Hours with our IT team. Weâre always ready to help troubleshoot and answer any questions you may have.
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