The winter holiday season is a crucial time for small businesses because it can bring in significant revenue as the fiscal year comes to a close. For this reason, it is essential to have a well-thought-out marketing plan in place well before the season begins. Starting too late can result in a rushed and unprepared strategy, which may not be as effective in attracting customers. By planning ahead and early, you can be fully prepared to take advantage of the increased holiday demand and maximize revenue potential.
Schedule Planning Time
By beginning holiday marketing planning during the summer, you’ll have enough time to craft and implement a carefully considered strategy. Schedule dedicated time on your calendar each week to work solely on it. Set reminders and treat it like any other important meeting. It’s summer, so get creative with your planning spots. Grab your favorite beverage and sunglasses, and find a nice breezy location outside to sit and work. Revisit your research on your target audience, develop any new messaging, and analyze past marketing campaigns to identify areas that require attention or changes so your upcoming campaign can be even more successful.
Map Out Your Marketing Plan
To create a successful holiday marketing campaign, starting with a detailed plan is important. This plan should outline the specific goals and objectives you want to achieve and the tasks and deadlines needed to accomplish them. To build this plan, consider working with a team member, accountability buddy, or digital marketing agency. Additionally, it can be beneficial to collaborate with a complementary business to pool resources and cross-promote each other’s products or services during the holiday season. As you develop your plan, include a short list of the marketing software, design tools, and other resources needed to execute your campaign effectively.
Build A Better Budget
Planning can greatly benefit small businesses in maximizing their marketing budget. Early bird discounts and special rates on advertising and printing can be taken advantage of, resulting in significant cost savings. Thorough market research can also lead to more targeted and effective social media marketing campaigns that can save money. Email marketing campaigns can build anticipation for holiday promotions and cost-effectively increase audience engagement. With increased competition during the holiday season, starting early on your marketing strategy can give you an edge over your competitors.
Capture Attention with Content
By capturing your customers’ attention before your competitors can, you increase your chances of converting them into sales. High-quality and compelling digital content stands out and builds excitement when it resonates with your audience. For example, you can create blog posts that showcase your holiday products or services, tips for holiday shopping, or gift ideas for different people. Social media content can include holiday-themed graphics, videos, or interactive polls that engage your followers and increase brand awareness. Additionally, you can use email campaigns to send personalized messages, special offers, and exclusive discounts to your subscribers.
In Conclusion
To sum up, starting holiday marketing ahead of time can be highly beneficial for small businesses. With a firm plan in place, businesses can capture their customers’ attention and generate excitement for their holiday promotions, leading to increased sales and greater success. The time and resources you invest now into your holiday marketing strategy can have significant payoffs for your small business during the busy holiday season.
Need help with digital marketing planning for the holidays? Contact us today to learn how the experts at Fisher Green Creative can help grow your small business.

Jenny Green, Co-Owner of Fisher Green Creative, specializes in digital strategy development, social media marketing, and SEO for small businesses. Away from helping clients or studying the latest marketing trends, Jenny volunteers her time coaching youth soccer, enjoys a cold craft IPA, and works to save the elephants. Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn or email.