This is the season for giving and what better way to give back to your community than by supporting local businesses? Shopping locally has a major impact on the local economy, and during the holidays, that impact is even greater. Here are some tips from the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce on how to make your holiday shop local campaign a success.
How to Kick Off Your Campaign
1. Get the word out there.
The first step is to let people know that your campaign is happening. Create social media posts, put up flyers around town, and partner with other local businesses to help promote the campaign. You can even offer discounts or special deals to customers who shop at local businesses during the holidays.
2. Make it easy for customers to shop locally.
It’s no secret that people are busier than ever during the holidays. So make it easy for them to shop local by offering extended hours, gift wrapping services, and even delivery options if possible. The easier you make it for customers to shop with you, the more likely they are to do so.
3. Get involved in the community.
One of the best ways to promote your business is to get involved in the community. Sponsor a toy drive, host a holiday party for local families, or make a donation to a local charity. When people see that you’re invested in making your community a better place, they’ll be more likely to support your business as well.
How Businesses Can Promote the Campaign
1. Spread the word yourself! Talk to your customers about the campaign and why it's important to shop local.
2. Offer discounts or deals for customers who shop locally. This is a great way to encourage people to participate in the campaign.
3. Showcase other local businesses on your social media channels or in your store. This is a great way to show your support for your community.
4. Use the hashtag #ShopLocal when promoting your campaign online. This will help people find your campaign and learn more about it.
How Businesses Can Incentivize Shopping Local
1. The best way to incentivize shopping locally is to offer discounts, coupons, or special deals. For example, you could offer a 10% discount for customers who show their receipt from another local business. Or you could partner with other local businesses to offer joint incentives—such as a discount at one business when a customer shows their receipt from another local business.
2. Another way to incentivize shopping locally is to host events or promotions that focus on supporting small businesses. For example, you could host a holiday market featuring only local vendors, or you could promote Small Business Saturday with special offers and discounts.
3. An additional method to try is a PDF gift guide. A digital gift guide is a great way to entice local shoppers. Write a guide using your word processing software, and change it to a PDF using this free file converter. Once complete, you can share it on your website, use it in email promotions, and offer it to your followers on social media.
How Businesses Can Support Each Other
1. Co-host events. One of the best ways to show your support for other businesses is to co-host events. This could be anything from a holiday party to a charity fundraiser. By teaming up with another business, you can reach a wider audience and make a bigger impact. Customers will appreciate your commitment to giving back, and they'll remember your business when they're ready to make a purchase.
2. Collaborate on marketing efforts. Another way businesses can support each other is by collaborating on marketing efforts. This could involve sharing each other's social media posts, running joint promotions, or even co-branding products or services. When businesses work together, it sends a strong message that you're all in this together. Customers will appreciate your efforts and are more likely to support businesses that are supportive of each other.
How to Give Back This Holiday Season
1. One simple way businesses can give back this holiday season is by donating a percentage of sales to a local charity. This is an easy way to make a big impact with very little effort! If your business can donate even just 1% of sales during the holiday season, it can make a huge difference in the lives of those in need.
2. Another great way for businesses to give back is by organizing a food drive. This is especially important during the winter months when many people struggle to put food on the table. Businesses can partner with local food banks or soup kitchens to collect non-perishable items that will be distributed to those in need. This is a great way to get employees involved in giving back, and it can make a big impact on someone's life this holiday season.
When it comes to holiday shopping, there's no better way to give back to your community than by shopping locally. Local businesses are the backbone of any community, and during the holidays, their impact is even greater. By following these tips, you can make sure your holiday shop local campaign is a success!
Connect with and learn from other local business leaders by joining the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce.