Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Why December Is a Pivotal Month
2. Boost Holiday Sales with Limited-Time Offers
3. Update and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
4. Use Social Media to Drive Engagement
5. Encourage Gift Card Purchases
6. Reflect on 2024’s Marketing Performance
7. Create a Marketing Plan for Q1 2025
8. Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction: Why December Is a Pivotal Month

For local businesses, December represents both a sprint to maximize holiday sales and a time to prepare for the year ahead. Consumers are spending more than usual, and according to the National Retail Federation, holiday sales can account for up to 20% of a business’s annual revenue.

At the same time, forward-thinking businesses are already laying the groundwork for success in 2025. With the right mix of short-term tactics and long-term planning, you can make December your most profitable month while setting the stage for an even better year ahead.

1. Boost Holiday Sales with Limited-Time Offers

December is the perfect time to create urgency around your products or services. Limited-time offers not only encourage customers to act quickly but also help you stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Ideas for Limited-Time Offers:

• Flash Sales: Promote discounts that last only 24–48 hours to create a sense of urgency.
• Countdown Campaigns: Use a countdown clock on your website to build excitement for upcoming sales.
• Free Shipping or Discounts: Offer free shipping or percentage-off discounts for online orders during the holidays.

Pro Tip:

Highlight your offers on social media, your website, and email campaigns to ensure maximum visibility.

2. Update and Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is often the first place customers learn about your business, especially during the busy holiday season. An up-to-date profile ensures you’re giving potential customers the right information when they search for your products or services.

What to Update:

• Holiday Hours: Clearly list any special hours for December.
• Photos and Posts: Add festive images and updates to show off your holiday spirit.
• Promotions: Highlight any holiday sales or deals.

Why It Matters:

Businesses with complete Google profiles are 2.7 times more likely to be considered reputable, according to Google.

3. Use Social Media to Drive Engagement

Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are essential tools for connecting with your audience during December. By creating engaging and festive content, you can drive traffic to your website or store while building relationships with your followers.

Social Media Content Ideas:

• Holiday Gift Guides: Showcase your top products or services as perfect holiday gifts.
• Contests and Giveaways: Encourage followers to like, comment, and share posts for a chance to win a holiday prize.
• Behind-the-Scenes Posts: Share how your team is preparing for the holidays to add a personal touch.

Tip:

Invest in paid social ads to target last-minute shoppers who might not follow your page yet.

4. Encourage Gift Card Purchases

Gift cards are a win-win for businesses and customers during the holidays. They provide a quick and easy gift option for shoppers while bringing in revenue now and ensuring future visits to your business.

How to Promote Gift Cards:

• Email Campaigns: Send emails reminding customers about the convenience of gift cards.
• In-Store Displays: Place signage near checkout areas to catch shoppers’ attention.
• Social Media Posts: Highlight gift cards as the perfect last-minute gift idea.

5. Reflect on 2024’s Marketing Performance

Before you start planning for 2025, take time to evaluate what worked and what didn’t in 2024. Understanding your past performance will help you make informed decisions moving forward.

What to Analyze:

• Website Traffic: Which pages performed best?
• Social Media Engagement: What types of posts got the most likes, shares, and comments?
• Email Campaign Metrics: How did open rates and click-through rates compare to your goals?
• Ad Campaign ROI: Which campaigns delivered the highest return on investment?

Tools to Use:

• Google Analytics: For website performance.
• Facebook Insights: For social media engagement.
• Lewis Marketing CRM: For email campaign stats.

6. Create a Marketing Plan for Q1 2025

December is the ideal time to start planning your marketing strategy for the first quarter of the new year. A strong start to 2025 can set the tone for the rest of the year.

Steps to Build Your Plan:

1. Set Goals: What do you want to achieve in Q1 (e.g., increase sales by 10%)?
2. Plan Campaigns: Focus on New Year’s promotions, clearance sales, or other relevant events.
3. Create a Content Calendar: Schedule social media posts, email campaigns, and blog updates in advance.

Pro Tip:

Incorporate lessons learned from 2024 to fine-tune your approach.

Frequently Asked Questions