7 Easy Last Minute Ways To Boost Your Small Business’s Holiday Sales With Digital Marketing

7 Easy Last Minute Ways To Boost Your Small Business’s Holiday Sales With Digital Marketing is the fifth in a series of articles that we'll be posting this fall. Small Business Marketing Tips To Build Sales In A Down Economy will teach you how to use do-it-yourself tools like SMS, email and social media to effectively market your business.

Entry By Jason Brick

The holiday season -- those heady weeks from Black Friday to Christmas Eve -- is the happiest time of the fiscal year for most retailers. People are out and about shopping and spending, but competition for their business is fierce. 

The best results for getting customers in your store come when you've been working your marketing plan for some time, but that's not always easy for small businesses. Whether you're running late, or want to boost sales when the season isn't what you'd hoped for, digital marketing can give you the real-time boost you need.

1. Put your keyword and short codes on everything--print, voice, radio, and electronic ads
The more people they reach, the larger your blast list will be. The larger your blast list, the better performance you'll see from your digital marketing efforts.

2. Include QR (quick response) codes on all print and display ads
This lets people sign up for your messages or other mobile-oriented content with the push of a camera button on a smartphone.

3. Hold events in the middle of the week
Weekend sales put you in competition with everybody; midweek you'll get more attention. Announce events through your email, SMS, and social media networks. A countdown starting three days out is a good way to stay front of mind.

4. Take advantage of pay-per-click advertising like Google AdWords
These offer same-day implementation, real-time tracking, and complete control over final cost. They can save the day, even after print and radio advertising deadlines are long past. 

5. Offer extra benefits
Give people who opt in to your SMS marketing programs something special, like early admission to a major sale or an extra 5% discount. They'll become more engaged with your company, and share your keywords with friends. Similarly, you can offer a special bonus for people who share your posts and bring in more fans for your social media.

6. Don't let four business hours go by without making contact
People are out and about throughout the season. If one message catches them with family, the next might find them just around the corner from your shop. Many people are frugal and check their list twice when holiday shopping, but others are susceptible to impulse gifting.

7. Keep the campaign rolling
The weeks just after Christmas keep retailers busy with money from gift cards and exchanged merchandise. Your digital campaign will bring some of that money your way. You can also focus your SMS and email coupons to help clear extra stock that didn't move during the holiday rush.