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Holiday Marketing with a 2020 Twist
Posted on October 7, 2020
Sola Salon Studios
Whether we are all in need of a little extra holiday cheer or we just can't wait to leave this year in the past...you've likely started to see the holiday season start creeping in earlier than ever this year. Like most things in 2020, the holidays are sure to have their own twist, so we're here to help you get a jumpstart on your holiday marketing and cross this year's finish line with a bang.
Plan Ahead 📆
If we've learned one thing this year it's how to have a plan B, C, D and X. Even if your plans have to change, adjusting your plan is easier than not having a plan at all. As you know, the closer we get to that New Year's ball drop, the crazier things get. So get started now and take full advantage of this valuable holiday marketing window!
✔️ Write down your end of year goals. This year has undoubtedly caused unexpected setbacks for your business. It's perfectly understandable if you set goals at the beginning of the year that you just won't be able to meet. This year threw us all curveballs, but that doesn't mean you can't still end this year feeling like a success. It's ok to throw old goals out the window and strive for new ones. This is the perfect time to take a look at your numbers, revisit your business plan, and set new, achievable end-of-year goals.
Decide what numbers you want to hit in the last 3 months of this year - how many clients you want in your chair, how many dollars in your bank account, etc. Once you have goals you can strive for between now and December 31st, you can plan your holiday promotions accordingly to ensure you are on track to end 2020 like a total boss 👊
✔️ Decide what promotions you will run
Are you a nail-tech thinking you want to run a spooktacular nail art special? A color expert looking to capitalize on the latest fall color trends? Do you want to offer holiday packages or specials on gift cards? Will you run a special for all the holidays or focus on one?
Figure out what aligns with you and your brand, then determine the details of the specific promotions you want to run. Include information like start and end date, what you are offering, where you will promote (will you post on social media, in-salon, email, text blasts?), any graphics or images you need created, budget, goal, and any other important information.
✔️ Order products and supplies. If you are planning to deck the walls of your salon or sell any seasonal inventory, make sure you're stocked. Connect with your local sales rep to see if they have any holiday products or promotions you can offer your guests. If you're planning to give a gift to your best clients, visit the Dollar Store or Amazon to grab gift bags, tissue paper and ribbon. And don't forget to stock up on branded gift cards and gift card holders and remind your guests that gift cards for a salon day make a great gift for anyone in your life!
We've listed the major holidays below to make sure you don't miss a marketing opp!
Halloween: Saturday, October 31st
Daylight Savings Ends: Sunday, November 1st (Just because that one always catches us off guard!)
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26th
Black Friday: Friday, November 27th
Small Business Saturday:Saturday, November 28th
Cyber Monday: Monday, November 29th
Hannukah Begins: Friday, December 11th
Christmas: Friday, December 25th
Décor Galore ✨
Get to decorating! You don't have to go over the top with your holiday decor, but some fall leaves or decorative pumpkins certainly won’t go unnoticed by your guests. When you spend time making your salon feel homey, it shows your guests that you care. And, decorating is fun and we could all use a little more fun right now! Some fake snow or twinkle lights paired with a signature holiday scent will instantly turn your salon a winter wonderland. Not only will the décor help spread holiday cheer, but it might get your guests in the mood for some extra holiday spending 🤑
Retail #LikeABoss 💸
Don’t forget to add some eye-catching décor to your retail display! Draw attention to special product offerings like holiday gift sets and gift certificates, and don’t forget the stocking stuffers. Consider retailing items exclusively during the holiday season that you don't carry year-round (so your guests stock up!). There are so many people to shop for around the holidays, make it easy for your clients to check a few stops off their shopping list. Remind your guests - either through conversation or a visual display in your salon - of all of the special products, gift certificates, and special services you are offering during the holiday season.
Holiday How-To’s 🌟
So much of our lives have gone virtual this year, it only feels right to bring some virtual reality into your holiday marketing too! Show off your skills on an Instagram or Facebook Live. Teach your clients an easy-at-home holiday updo or festive makeup looks to get people excited about the holiday season and, more importantly, remind them to book their appointments with you! Showing them how to recreate the in-between appointment magic will give them more confidence and you credibility.
If going live isn’t your style, you can pre-record a video and post on IGTV or YouTube, or get creative with Instagram Story or TikTok - depending on where the majority of your target clientele lives online.
The Gift of Beauty 💌
There’s truly no better gift than the gift of self-care! Are you reminding your clients you offer gift cards when they talk about how much they love their experience with you? Do your clients know where they can purchase gift cards for friends and family?
Adding gift cards to your marketing strategy is a win-win: clients can make their salon visit a one-stop-shop for services and gifts, meanwhile you get paid on the spot AND a referral for a new client. To reward guests for buying gift cards, offer them a $20 gift card for every $100 in gift cards purchased.
P.S… Did you know that through SolaGenius clients can purchase gift cards from you online - any time, anywhere?! That’s right, clients can now easily purchase a gift card directly from your SolaGenius booking page or from your unique booking link. Click here to learn more.
Hooray for a Giveaway 🎉
Everyone loves freebies! Doing a Facebook or Instagram giveaway is the perfect way to boost your biz and fill your books for the rest of the year. Post a scroll-stopping picture with an exciting, easy-to-understand caption of your giveaway details (don't forget to include: how to enter, what the prize is, end date and where you will announce the winner).
We recommend having your followers tag three friends in the comments and follow your account for an entry. You can even add extra entries for followers who post the giveaway on their personal IG Story and tag you for some extra exposure. This allows each comment to drive clients’ friends and family to find your page, get them to follow you, and potentially lead to new client bookings. Add the value of the prize (ex. “This product set is valued at $120!), make the photo festive with some background decor, throw in some emojis and you’re ready to go!
No matter how you decide to market you business this holiday season, don’t be afraid to get creative and offer your loyal clients a little something to end this crazy year #SolaStrong 💯
