It may feel like summer just ended, but the holidays are right around the corner! The key to a successful holiday season for your business or organization is starting early and planning ahead. By working through the details and ordering the items you want now, you’ll be ready to drive sales, show appreciation to your customers and employees, and end the year on a great note. Working with a local partner like AlphaGraphics Kansas City makes it even easier to get through the busy holiday season. We can handle the design and production of your holiday cards, in-store and exterior signage, marketing materials, and more. September is the perfect time to begin to prepare for your business’s holiday initiatives. Plus if you plan early enough, you might be able to plan something for Halloween and Thanksgiving! Here are five things to start thinking about now.
1. Order Your Gifts EARLY
Promotional gifts are a holiday season staple. Personalized and branded gifts are a great way to show your appreciation for your top customers or clients. We recommend investing in premium gifts as a guaranteed way to stand out. Whenever your client wears a piece of high-end branded apparel or uses a gifted tech item, your company will be top of mind. The vast variety of promotional gifts available means that you can choose items to fit any budget, in any shape or size. Whatever type of gift you decide to go with, be sure to order early. Due to COVID-19 related supply chain disruptions, manufacturers are experiencing challenges with a reduced inventory. In addition to the lower inventory, the production of personalized items is expected to take longer this year. Plan ahead now and make sure you order all promotional items well in advance. Your customers will feel appreciated by the gifts and your business will benefit from the added brand awareness.
2. Employee Appreciation Matters
The past two years have demanded a lot of flexibility and perseverance from every member of your team. This holiday season, it’s more important than ever before to show your appreciation for your staff. Thank them for all they’ve done for your business. Many of the same gifts you use to show appreciation to top clients are also perfect for your staff members. You might even choose additional customizations on these items, embroidering names into apparel or personalizing things like coffee and tea sets. One option is an
agBox full of branded gifts. This unexpected gesture will help build pride in your brand and show your employees how much you value them.
3. Send Out Your Season’s Greetings
Exchanging holiday cards is another beloved holiday tradition that can also help to strengthen your relationship with clients. By sending out physical holiday cards, you can help spread some festive cheer while connecting with your customers on a personal level. To increase the impact of your holiday cards, have a design and print partner like AlphaGraphics Kansas City create a custom design for your cards. You can even get creative with die-cutting, embossing, foil stamping, and folding to create a stand-out card that will earn a special place on the mantel! Including a hand-written note or enclosing a photo of your team in the card will help reinforce your relationship — especially if your business has transitioned to doing more business remotely.
4. Prepare for Holiday Promotions
If you rely on the holiday season for a large percentage of your annual revenue, it’s time to start brainstorming how you’ll get customers in through the door. Many consumers expect to see sales and special offers around the holidays, so running a promotion is a great way to drive more sales. Prepare for these promotions well in advance with marketing materials. It’s smart to use a blend of digital materials, like email blasts and social media advertising, as well as physical materials, like postcards, mailers, and flyers. Creative signage for both inside and outside your storefront will capture the attention of passersby and help you capitalize on spontaneous purchases.
5. Deck Your Halls
If your business sees a lot of your customers in your office, the festive decor is key to feeling the magic of the holiday season. Help create a great holiday shopping experience for your guests by sprucing up your storefront and making the inside of your business look merry as can be. Unique decorations will help you stand out from other businesses to draw in more customers, too! Go beyond tinsel and wreaths this year with creative signage that can transform your entire business into a winter wonderland. Choose a wall, window, and floor graphics or pull-up banners to add splashes of holiday cheer to every surface. Think about how you can blend holiday motifs with your branding for a truly unique experience.
Make the Holidays Festive with AlphaGraphics Kansas City
When your business is ready to design and produce materials for the holiday season, reach out to your local AlphaGraphics center. Our print and marketing experts can help you create a comprehensive strategy for making the most of the holiday season and all of its revenue-driving potential.