| If you have been in business long you know that | | | | your company. 9. Give a free holiday tips report |
| the bulk of your sales will come from the months | | | | out with every purchase. Provide tips on saving |
| leading up to and going through the holiday season. | | | | money, holiday decorating, etc. 10. Make sure |
| The time to start your marketing for this season | | | | everything on your site is working and up to date. |
| is July or even earlier! Online sales are expected | | | | Build a special holiday section for your holiday |
| to reach 12 billion dollars this year so be sure you | | | | customers. 11. Have a gift ideas section for your |
| get a piece of that huge pie! This is a 1.5 to 2 | | | | shoppers who have trouble picking out gifts. Be |
| times increase over 1999 as more people adjust | | | | sure and have gift certificates or cards available |
| to online shopping. Here are some ideas that could | | | | as well. 12. Mail out gift idea cards to your |
| help you get a slice of that holiday shopping pie: 1. | | | | customers/mailing list. 13. Send out coupons with a |
| You could offer a free holiday gift with every | | | | chance at a free gift with every coupon returned. |
| order over $25 or any set amount. 2. Offer free | | | | 14. Do not forget customer service. Provide a |
| or discounted shipping with every order. 3. Send | | | | little extra for your customers so they come |
| Christmas cards to your mailing list offering them | | | | back for more. 15. Become the company with the |
| a special discount or deal. 4. Offer a gift wrapping | | | | most Christmas spirit. Donate a portion of all sales |
| service for your customers. Make their shopping | | | | to a popular children's charity. 16. Provide a quality |
| as easy and hassle free as possible. 5. If you do | | | | product at a good price along with good customer |
| home parties, have a Christmas shopping party to | | | | service and your customers are bound to remain |
| split the shipping costs and/or wrapping costs. | | | | loyal to your company. Take these ideas and add |
| Have a holiday themed party with gift certificates | | | | to them. Once you start trying new ideas you will |
| and free samples. 6. Start a gift referral club with | | | | be able to think of more and more. Don't be |
| other businesses. If a customer is looking for | | | | afraid to try new and creative ideas. Test the |
| something you do not offer, give them a place | | | | results and keep track of what works and what |
| they can get it and other businesses will do the | | | | doesn't. What might not work in spring might be |
| same for you. 7. Have a holiday themed contest | | | | very effective during the holiday season. The |
| on your site to draw in more customers. 8. Work | | | | holiday marketing season is a chance for you to |
| with charity. Offer $x off for everyone who | | | | expand your business and gain more customers, |
| brings in a old toy for kids' charity. For online | | | | but you must give them a reason to come to |
| shoppers have a donation button. This will attract | | | | you and then to come back to you! |
| customers as well as provide good publicity for | | | | |