What are some ways a small business can celebrate holidays?
I started to wonder how small businesses can celebrate holidays. I find that holidays can offer a great opportunity to reflect and be appreciative. I am just not sure how to celebrate the upcoming holiday without people thinking I am just trying to get more visibility. Any suggestions on how to do this?
Expert Answers
Sort by Date
Sort by Votes
May 26, 2016
And what exactly is wrong with getting more visibility? Of course, going over the top and become really flashy is probably not the best approach, but having a discreet celebration is not only fun for your own employees, but also sometimes get the attention of other people around you.
I have once had a hotdog sale in the office park my business was located at the time. We used the money to fund a charitable cause, and not only did we become better known as a company, we also helped the charity with the proceeds of the sale of 200 hotdogs resulting in R 2000.00 (roughly $140.00). The charity posted on their social media page, and I got one new client from their social media followers. All-in-all, a win-win.
As long as you do it in style, and do not go super-flashy and overboard, just about anything that is applicable to the holiday will generally be well received. Even if it is not well supported, people will not think less of you for what you are doing.
Good luck!
Kobus
May 26, 2016
Get more visibility. It looks like you are a photographer, so have a share your favorite holiday photo celebration. You could do this on a Facebook work/business page. Also Sara, do me a favor, become successful and never apologize for being who you are.
May 26, 2016
I completely agree with Kobus. Isn't visibility what you want?
Maybe:
- Raise awareness of your business through a charitable campaign as Kobis said.
- Reduce a price on a service for a holiday promo (was thinking of this one on my end, but since Memorial Day is only a couple days away, might extend Small Business Month out of May and into June).
- Social media campaign honoring what the holiday means to you, your family and your business?
Above all, be creative! Do something different, memorable. And like Kobus said, do it in style. Don't let it get away from the meaning of the holiday and it'll be great for you.
May 26, 2016
Memorial Day is a day to remember the Veterans and what they did to help this country and to keep us free. I don't know what business you have, but an excellent thought is the "Missing Man Table" used by many restaurants and other businesses with walk-in customers. There are a lot of versions of it online including the one by Chick-Fil-A http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/georgia-chick-fil-restaurant-commemorates-veterans-missing-man-table-photo
Keep it focussed on the VETS. You will get a lot of support and looked on as somebody giving back.
May 26, 2016
Large businesses often have sales or special edition releases. As a smaller business, normally you just send out cards or e-mail wishes. It was my job in a 20-man company to send out Chinese New Year, Id, and Christmas messages to a mailing list. We had fun making up the graphics just like the changing Google graphics. It's not expensive or hard and is as I mentioned, quite a lot of fun,
May 26, 2016
Try a lunch time cook-out without watching the clock. You supply the main dishes - remember the vegitarians! You can make it like a potluck for other dishes. This creates good will & comradery!
May 26, 2016
Sara,
I agree with Kobus, there is nothing wrong with visibility.
I also did something similiar, being a bookkeeper, where I had an office in in Industrial park, now I work out of my house or the clients office.
But I had a BBQ on Thursday from 11- on for I know people may cut out early on Friday and it worked out I got the business there to do their books as well as get some of their clients doing there books. I still do the BBQ but i have a gathering here at my house / office every year.
This year I will have two of these one today and possible another one either the 4th of July being on a Monday or I may wait until football season and do a BBQ / party, I know that I did an auction of gift cards etc to raise the money
The money I raise goes to the Boys & Girls Club
Aaron Albucher
May 26, 2016
I have a client who wanted to make a difference in our community. He bought 500 small flags - the ones with wooden sticks that so many of us carried in parades when we were kids. He gave them (for free) to a non-profit who handed them out at our Memorial Day parade. Personally, I loved yelling "free flags!" then the guys with the garbage for sale pushed their carts by. (What does a blow-up Dora the Explorer have to do with Memorial Day? NOTHING!)
Jul 24, 2016
Think of ways to triangulate/dovetail a holiday with your business. How can your business help make the holiday more meaningful/ celebrated/ enjoyed? Consider using various social media channels as a way to drive this type of 'campaign'.
Even if you can find zero relevance between your business and a holiday, tastefully recognizing a holiday is generally a nice gesture by any in any community (from big corporate citizens to Mom & Pop shops to residents).
Depending on where your business operates, consider the various communities/backgrounds of our increasingly diverse nation. Besides traditional US holidays (Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and religious holidays, there are of course other holidays ("opportunities") such as St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Diwali, etc.).
May 27, 2016
Relate your products or services to the theme of the holiday. Colors, functions or purpose of the item will get the customers to get involved. Brand management and your creativity can supply some cleaver outcomes. Keep it ethical and honest.
Jul 7, 2016
Happy employees makes a great deal of goodwill of the Business establishment. It adds credibility in the Business circle. Celebrate your Holidays will your staff so that they remain engaged with the business which will add on to the business prosperity.
Jul 6, 2016
Ms Sara, firstly, don't worry what other people think. Do what you want to do and do it your way. Secondly, whether it is a small business or a big one is not the issue, it is about how you celebrate holidays. Just go ahead and have fun. Let everyone loosen up and enjoy themselves too. Florence MacDonald
May 30, 2016
I prefer celebrating holidays with a lot of friends. For example a picnic with a ball, badminton, with a lot of fun
Jul 14, 2020
You can take a small break to celebrate holidays like Veterans Day, thanksgiving Christmas, New year.
Kobus, you rock! Great advice, great story.