How Your Carbondale Small Business Can Make the Most of Holiday Shopping Local Campaigns

'Tis the season for giving—and for shopping local. Every year, small businesses across the country ramp up their marketing efforts to encourage holiday shoppers to buy local. Why? Because when people shop local, everyone wins. Local businesses see a boost in revenue, which leads to job growth and a stronger economy.  Local shoppers save on their purchases, and they get treated to better customer service than they would at a chain store. And all consumers enjoy the benefits of a thriving community with more local amenities and activities.

As the holidays draw near, small businesses are busy ramping up their marketing efforts in order to encourage holiday shoppers to buy local. So how can your small business make the most of holiday shopping local campaigns? Keep reading to find out.

Starting a Shop Local Campaign for the Holidays

If your small business doesn't already have a plan in place for participating in holiday shopping local campaigns, now's the time to start putting one together. The first step is to decide what kind of campaign you want to run.  Some businesses might choose to offer special promotions or discounts for shoppers who buy local, while others may focus on highlighting their unique products or services.

Another important factor to consider when planning a shop local campaign is your target audience. For example, if you own a toy store in a major urban area, you might want to focus your efforts on young families and parents who are looking for unique gifts.

Promoting a Holiday Shop Local Campaign

Once you've decided on a campaign idea, it's time to get the word out. Traditional methods like hanging posters in store windows or passing out flyers are always effective. But don't forget about digital marketing tools like email newsletters and social media posts—these can be extremely powerful for reaching a larger audience.

Incentivizing Shopping Local During the Holidays

Most people are familiar with the benefits of shopping locally, but let's be honest—during the busy holiday season, convenience is often king. That's why it's important to offer incentives that make shopping at your small business more appealing than at big box stores. Try offering free gift wrapping, personal shopper services, contests or giveaways, extended return policies, or same-day delivery. A loyalty program is another great way to encourage customers to return. Whatever you decide, make sure it's something that will truly make your customers' lives easier during the holidays.

Supporting Other Small Businesses

One of the best things about shopping local is that it supports other small businesses in your community. Get involved with other small businesses in your area and collaborate on marketing and event planning. This is a great way to network and build relationships with other entrepreneurs—and it doesn't hurt that it'll also help promote your business to a wider audience.

For example, try collaborating with fellow local businesses to create an eye-catching gift guide for your customers. Fill it with product images, sales info, and any other giveaways or contests you’re hosting. If you aren’t sure where to begin, start with a simple Word document then use this free tool to convert it to a more attractive PDF format. Then, each business can send the gift guide to their customers, as well as making it downloadable through their website. This an extremely cost-effective way to spread the word about the campaign to the benefit of everyone involved!

Giving Back This Holiday Season

Finally, remember that the holidays are also about giving back. Consider hosting a food or clothing drive at your store or donating a percentage of sales to a local charity. There are endless possibilities—just use your imagination and let your company's values guide you. 

As the holiday shopping season approaches, now is the perfect time to start planning your shop local campaign. Whether you choose to offer special promotions and discounts to local shoppers or focus on other marketing strategies, remember that the most important thing is to make it easy and convenient for your customers to choose local. So get out there and spread the word!