It’s time for a holiday marketing plan!

Sure, it’s only Halloween, and the last pumpkins are still being harvested here in North Carolina. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be making clear-cut plans about your holiday marketing goals. If your farm or agri-business offers goods at the holidays, it’s time to get busy (and creative) with getting the word out about what you have to offer.

Did you know that 40% of holiday shoppers start to buy before Halloween? And many people who like to get their gifts locally are in that category, so there is a definite “holiday marketing window” that you need to take advantage of.

So, where do you start for inspiration on your holiday marketing plan?

Get Pinspired

One of your very first research avenues should take you to Pinterest. Spend some time searching products similar to those you sell and see what other sellers are doing to make those products stand out to pinners. Also, pay attention to the descriptions that pinners are giving those pins when they save them to their boards. Those very words could become “buzz words” for your advertising strategy. If you don’t yet have a Pinterest profile for your business, this is certainly good timing for it. Even if you only have time to create one holiday-themed board before the festive season, do that and make it shine with not only your own products in all their holiday glory, but other tie-in images, too.

Review Last Year’s Results

If you were in business last holiday season, evaluate your efforts and be honest with yourself about what worked, and what didn’t. Obviously, you’ll want to put your money and time into the strategies that were most successful for you last year, but don’t be afraid to try something new, as well, this time around. Take your ideas and put them in writing, along with goal dates, so you have a concrete marketing plan to follow for the season.

Make Sure Holiday Shoppers Can Find You

Nothing is worse than having a holiday display at your farm or agri-business and not get to show it off. You want to make it super easy for customers to find you, so take a few moments to perfect your local listings. Make sure all the information you’ve submitted to Google and Facebook is correct–especially directions and holiday hours. Some items to double-check include:

• Have you filled out all of the fields?
• Have you taken advantage of the call-to-action button on your Facebook profile?
• Have you replied back to any recent reviews of your business (or asked customers to share reviews)?
• Are you actively posting on Facebook and other social networks?

Branch Out with Gift Cards

If your agriculture operation has a loyal following, one of the best ways to acquire a new base is by offering gift cards for the holidays. These don’t have to be complex or expensive, either. Even a set of 3×5 cards, festively printed from your own computer, can serve as a wonderful way to introduce your offerings to a whole new set of potential customers.

Take Advantage of Those Holiday Fairs

Have you noticed your Facebook feed being taken over by announcements of holiday fairs and events? Try to see those as a personal invitation to your farm or business as a way to get in front of an audience who is actively in “buying mode.” Sign up for at least one holiday event where you can display your products, share information about your farm, and create new relationships with local citizens.

At this time of year, every single day is vital to your holiday sales success. Try to do something each day between now and New Year that actively promotes your business–even if it just posting something festive to your social networks. Making your farm stand out as people navigate the busy and hectic shopping season means that they just may think of you first when it’s time to buy that next present or plan that next holiday meal!