Small Business Holidays

Small businesses are in store for HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Holidays are a time for cheer. And a recent Constant Contact survey says B2C small businesses planning their holiday marketing strategies will have something to cheer about come 2014! 65% Small businesses selling to consumers are optimistic about how they'll close out 2013. expect 2013 revenues to exceed 2012 Great news, considering SMALL BUSINESSES this is an important time of year... 31% 31% say fall is their say winter is their busiest season busiest season 052% 059% say one-quarter to one-half of say holiday customers become repeat, their annual profits come from their busiest season loyal customers For long-lasting holiday marketing success, find ways to keep in touch with 1IP: new Customers, like including "join my mailing list" forms in your stores. So. small businesses must be 31% 3 preparing round-the-clock for 2 the holiday rush, right? Not as say they start much as you'd think. planning 2-3 months in advance BUT 28% say they don't plan in advance Small Business Saturday, 34% introduced in 2010, is slowly gaining adoption among small businesses More than one-quarter have participated in Small Business Saturday 66% 52% of this will not have not participated in Small Business Saturday in previous years participate this year 43% are unsure Stay competitive with the big box retailers by running TIP:a coupon or promotion for Small Business Saturday. ******** What value do small businesses .79% see in Small Business Saturday? Awareness! said it will help create awareness for their business ***** 45% said it will deliver new customers 43% said it will deliver a quick boost in sales 29% like the marketing materials provided Of the 31% actively planning 41% months in advance, here's how: say they increase in-house marketing activities 35% increase online and in-store promotions 21% run Small Business Saturday-specific promotions 21% order more inventory Customers are important for Email holiday success. Here's how small businesses are attracting Social media Discounts/ new customers: coupons 50% 35% 31% Face to face OPEN interactions In-store events 28% 19% TIP. During the holidays, reach customers in multiple ways to stay top-of-mind. If you're • running a holiday coupon via email, share it on your Facebook and Twitter pages. Customers can find Other ways that new new customers: customers find them: 82% 77% online searches say customer referrals lead to new customers 24% mobile searches There is no shame in asking satisfied customers for help! Things such as "forward TIP: to a friend" buttons in your emails, or a referral discount, encourage easy sharing. For more helpful suggestions on how you can make the most of your marketing efforts this holiday season, visit the Constant Contact blog: blogs.constantcontact.com Constant Contact Source: The Constant Contact Holiday Survey, 2013