Are you getting ready for the holiday season? Even if you're not explicitly planning a sales push around the holidays, there are things you can do to get your business in a good position heading into the busiest time of year. Here are some tips from the Skokie Chamber of Commerce on preparing your small business for the holiday season.

1. Decorate Your Storefront

Get into the holiday spirit by decorating your storefront. This will show customers that you're open for business and entice them to come inside. Be sure to take down any Halloween decorations and replace them with winter-themed ones. You could also put up a holiday wreath or string some lights around your store window.

2. Hire Temporary Staff

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, so you may need to hire some extra help. This doesn't necessarily mean hiring full-time employees; you could simply bring on some part-time staff members to help out during the peak hours. This will free up your time so that you can focus on other aspects of running your business.

3. Make Your Marketing Strategy Relevant to the Season

The holidays are a great time to ramp up your marketing efforts. You could send out "Happy Holidays" cards to your customers or run a festive social media campaign. You could also offer holiday discounts or host a holiday-themed event at your store. Whatever you do, make sure your marketing strategy is relevant to the season.

4. Create a PDF Gift Guide

PDF gift guides are a great way to show your customers that you care about their holiday shopping experience. By providing a PDF guide, you can help your customers find the perfect gift for their loved ones. PDF gift guides can be easily customized to include the recipient's name, age, and interests. You can also include a personalized message from you to your customer. This is a great way to show your customers that you appreciate their business and want to make their holiday shopping experience as enjoyable as possible.

Use Word to create an attractive gift guide featuring your store’s products. This converter is free and will convert your doc into a PDF. Then you’ll be able to share your guide on social media and through email marketing.

5. Secure Enough Inventory

Nothing ruins the holidays quite like being out of stock on popular items. To avoid this situation, order more inventory than you think you'll need. This way, you'll be prepared for any last-minute shoppers who come into your store looking for gifts.

6. Give Back to the Community

The upcoming holidays are the perfect time to give back to those in need. There are so many ways to make a difference in someone's life, and even the smallest act of kindness can have a big impact.

So this holiday season, take some time to volunteer at a local soup kitchen or donate clothes or toys to a children's charity. The holidays are all about giving back, so consider doing something nice for your community. For example, you could hold a food drive at your store or offer discounts to local charity organizations.

7. Lure Last-Minute Shoppers

As the holidays approach, everyone's schedule gets more hectic. last-minute shoppers are looking for the perfect gift, but they don't have a lot of time to spare. How can you make sure they choose your store?

There are a few things you can do to attract last-minute shoppers. First, make sure your store is well-lit and easy to navigate. Customers shouldn't have to hunt for what they're looking for - it should be clear and easy to find. Second, offer discounts and special deals. last-minute shoppers are looking for a bargain, so give them one! Finally, provide excellent customer service. last-minute shoppers are often stressed, so if you can help them out and make their experience positive, they're more likely to come back - and tell their friends.

The holidays can be a make-or-break time for small businesses, but with a little bit of preparation, you can set yourself up for success. By decorating your storefront, hiring temporary staff, and making your marketing strategy relevant to the season, you'll be well on your way to making this holiday season a successful one.