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5 Mistakes Businesses Make During Holiday Season
Marketing mistakes in the holiday season are widespread. Let’s look at 5 common mistakes a business makes and ways to avoid them.
Wed, 12/23/2009 - 10:51 by Ishita Sood
It's a good idea to set up a coordinated lunch or dinner with the employees. It is not only a means to socialize but also takes any worries or stress from employees minds Holiday seasons are thought to be the best times of the year business-wise. But businessmen forget clients and customers during this time, as they give more importance to family. One should make a conscious marketing effort to attract new customers and increase customer loyalty during this time.
3 Gift Ideas For Employees
1. Give Them Candy and Chocolate
Everyone enjoys a taste of candy and chocolates in the holiday season. Giving employees a box of candies is a good idea to bring them some childlike joy.
2. Professional Photo Session
Another great idea for a holiday gift is to hire a photographer and take professional pictures of the entire team.
These pictures can be used on email signatures, newsletters, business cards etc. It will give the employees a sense of bonding with the company.
3. Free Lunch/Dinner
Setting up a coordinated lunch or dinner with the office employees is not only a good way to socialize with employees but also clears stress from their minds.
Here are 5 common mistakes that can be avoided during the holiday season:
1. No Marketing Plan
It’s the holiday season and if you don’t have a plan of marketing, your holidays won’t bring any benefit to your business. One should take some time to decide what is to be done during such a time and how.
Offering seasonal discounts and promotional offers are good ways to capture as well as retain customers.
People love the holiday season as it’s all about giving and receiving. Products and services can be repackaged with holiday offers and themes.
Business must keep offers which can lure customers and clients in mind.
2. No Communication With Customers
Many business owners mistakenly think that since it’s the holiday season, offices will be closed and business clients won’t be bothered much.
But this attitude is wrong. Instead, one must follow up with customers and make them feel special during this season.
The holiday season demands a call for communication. Businesses must give out holiday greetings and cards during this time, which just shows the clients your loyalty and support.
3. Leaving Clients on Their Own
Another common mistake made during the holiday season is not being in touch with clients.
One must find out what the clients are up to and how their work is going. All this should be done in such a way that the clients don’t feel it is meddlesome. One can suggest improvements to enhance clients’ business. It is a great way to connect and bond.
4. Forgetting To Check E-mails
E-mail marketing is one of the most sought ways to stay in touch with everyone and market your business.
Forgetting to check mails during the rush hours like holidays can be a huge source of burden. It increases customers’ queries. Not replying will mean how little interest you take in their business.
One should send e-mails at least once a month to all customers to let them know what you offer.
For example, if a customer has bought two products in the past, tell them about new offer on the latest designs and improvement in your products.
5. Not Being Prepared for the Demand
It is unrealistic to assume that there won't be enough sales during the holiday season. One should always anticipate increased business demand so that there is no out-of-stock situation.
One must always be sure of current availability of stock before investing time and effort into marketing during holidays. For e.g. if one has a business dealing with computers, make sure that all spare parts are there. In case of urgent repairs or renewal, one must not have an "out of stock" situation. This will not only harm the business but also those customers who have kept faith so far.
