In order to make the most of the season, your business needs a plan. By taking the time to prepare now, you can set your business up for success and make the most of the holiday rush. Not sure where to start? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Keep reading for the Greater Omaha Chamber’s top tips on how to get your small business ready for the holiday season.

Add Holiday Cheer to Your Storefront

One of the first things you need to do to get your small business ready for the holidays is to decorate your storefront. This is a great way to attract attention and get people in the door. Plus, it gets you into the holiday spirit!

If you're on a tight budget, there are plenty of ways to decorate your store without breaking the bank. Streamers, balloons, and lights are all affordable options that will make your store look festive. You can also get creative with DIY decorations. There are tons of tutorials online for easy and inexpensive DIY holiday decorations.

Hire Seasonal Help

Another important step in getting your small business ready for the holidays is hiring seasonal staff. This is especially important if you're expecting an influx of customers. Extra hands on deck will help you keep up with demand and ensure that your customers have a positive experience.

When hiring seasonal staff, be sure to give them adequate training so they know what's expected of them. You should also make sure they're familiar with your products or services so they can answer any questions customers may have.

Hone Your Marketing Strategy

As part of getting your small business ready for the holidays, you'll also want to update your marketing strategy. This is a great time to take advantage of seasonal discounts and promotions to attract new customers and boost sales. You can also use holiday-themed marketing materials, such as postcards or email newsletters, to reach your target audience.

Create a Helpful Gift Guide

If you sell products or services that would make great gifts, now is the time to start promoting them! One way to do this is by creating a PDF gift guide that features some of your best-selling items. Be sure to include pricing information and any special offers so shoppers can easily find what they're looking for. Just write up a guide in Word and change it to a PDF with this free PDF converter. Having the guide available as a PDF makes it more useful in promotions. You can promote your gift guide on social media, in email newsletters, or on your website.

Make Sure You Have Enough Inventory

No one wants to run out of stock during the holidays! That's why it's important to make sure you have enough inventory on hand to meet customer demand. This is especially true if you sell popular items that are in high demand during the holiday season. If possible, try to order extra inventory so you're prepared for any last-minute shoppers.

Give Back to Your Local Community

The holiday season is also a great time to give back to your community. There are many ways you can do this, such as donating products or services to charity auctions or hosting a food drive at your store. Giving back not only helps those in need, but it also makes your business look good and builds goodwill among potential customers.

As you can see, there are many things you need to do in order to get your small business ready for the holiday season! By taking the time to prepare now, you can set yourself up for success and make the most of the holiday rush. So what are you waiting for? Start planning today!

Grow your business by building relationships with other local entrepreneurs and accessing unique resources offered by the Greater Omaha Chamber. Join us today!