The holiday season is like the Super Bowl for local businesses—everyone is vying for consumer attention, and the competition is fierce. The good news? Consumers are ready to spend. But how do you ensure your business stands out in all the holiday noise? This year, it’s time to go beyond the same-old tactics and sleigh (pun intended) your competition with advanced digital marketing tricks that will drive real results.

Let’s dive into seven must-use strategies that will take your holiday marketing from good to unforgettable.

1. Create a Holiday-Themed Google Business Profile Campaign

If you're not fully leveraging your Google Business Profile (GBP), you’re missing a golden opportunity—especially during the holidays. But why stop at just optimizing it? Create a holiday-themed campaign on your GBP that grabs attention.

Here’s how:

• Deck the Digital Halls: Update your profile with festive images—whether it’s a holiday-themed storefront, your team in festive gear, or a special holiday product display.
• Holiday Offers & Events: Use the Posts feature to announce holiday promotions or events. Imagine you’re running a boutique pet store—why not host a “Holiday Pet Photo Day” where customers can book a festive photo shoot for their pets? Use your GBP to promote the event and link directly to a booking page.
• Pre-Loaded Q&A: Make your customer experience even smoother by pre-answering holiday-related questions in the GBP Q&A section. Common questions like “Do you offer gift wrapping?” or “What are your holiday hours?” can be answered upfront, improving both SEO and customer experience.

2. Run a “12 Days of Giveaways” Social Media Campaign

Social media is buzzing during the holidays, so why not give your audience a reason to engage every single day? A “12 Days of Giveaways” campaign is perfect for driving consistent engagement, no matter your industry.

For example:

• Salon & Spa: Each day, offer something valuable, like a discounted service or a free product sample. Promote these giveaways through stories, Reels, and posts across Instagram and Facebook. To amplify your reach, ask followers to tag friends or share the posts to enter the giveaway.
• Bonus Tip: Leverage TikTok and Instagram Reels to make visually engaging videos showcasing your giveaway items. Behind-the-scenes clips or holiday product reveals can catch attention and boost your engagement like never before.

3. Holiday-Themed Chatbots for Instant Customer Service

People are busy during the holidays, and they want quick answers. Enter chatbots—automated, instant customer service that never sleeps. But make it fun by giving your bot a holiday-themed personality.

Imagine a home improvement store’s chatbot named “Jingle, the Helpful Elf,” popping up to help with questions about holiday decorations or delivery times. And here’s the kicker—have your chatbot drop exclusive holiday discounts for anyone who interacts with it. This not only makes your business more accessible, but it also drives direct sales.

4. Hyper-Targeted Paid Ads with a Local Holiday Twist

Paid ads are a no-brainer during the holidays, but generic ads won’t cut it. The secret is in hyper-targeting your audience with localized, holiday-specific messaging.

Let’s say you run a tax preparation service. Set up Facebook Ads to retarget people who’ve recently visited your site with a message like, “Get ahead of tax season with our Holiday Early Bird Special!” Adding a holiday twist to an otherwise mundane service can capture attention and drive early bookings.

Or try geo-fencing—a powerful tactic that targets people near local holiday hotspots like malls or festive events. For a restaurant near a shopping mall, an ad could say, “Need a break from holiday shopping? Get 15% off lunch today—just steps away from [Mall Name].” This taps into people’s immediate needs in the perfect location.

5. Leverage “Last Minute Deals” with Countdown Timers

The holidays are prime time for last-minute shoppers. Use this to your advantage by running “last-minute deals” with countdown timers that create urgency.

If you own a jewelry store, try running a “48-Hour Last-Minute Sparkle Sale” offering free gift wrapping and guaranteed delivery before Christmas. Use a countdown timer on your website to emphasize the urgency.

Pair this strategy with time-sensitive email campaigns. Use subject lines like, “Last Chance to Grab Holiday Gifts – 24 Hours Left!” Countdown timers increase conversions because people fear missing out, especially when the clock is ticking.

6. Turn Reviews into Holiday Marketing Gold

The holidays are the perfect time to leverage social proof. Encourage customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook, but take it one step further by offering holiday-themed incentives.

If you run a local bakery, consider launching a “Holiday Cheer Review Challenge.” Offer a free cookie or dessert to customers who leave a review and show proof at checkout. Not only does this build your reputation, but it also gives people an extra reason to stop by again.

Service-based businesses can showcase reviews in their holiday email campaigns or on social media. A glowing testimonial paired with a festive promotion can convince potential customers that you’re the best choice for their needs during the holiday rush.

7. Partner with Complementary Local Businesses for Co-Promotions

The holidays are all about collaboration. By partnering with complementary local businesses, you can double your exposure without doubling your ad spend.

For example:

• A fitness studio could partner with a nearby health café to offer a joint holiday health package—“Sign up for a month of yoga, and get a free smoothie every week in December!” Cross-promotions like this not only increase reach but also provide extra value to your customers.
• A florist could team up with a gift shop to offer holiday-themed bundles, combining flowers with curated gift baskets. By pooling audiences, you can offer something unique that no one else is, driving both traffic and sales.

Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Sleigh the Holiday Season

Woman smiling 

The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to dial up your marketing efforts, but you need more than basic strategies to stand out. Implement these advanced digital marketing tricks—from holiday-themed GBP campaigns to hyper-targeted ads and festive chatbot personalities—and watch your sales soar.

The key takeaway? Stand out by being different. This holiday season, the businesses that push the boundaries with creativity and advanced targeting will be the ones raking in sales. So don’t wait—start implementing these strategies now to sleigh the competition and make this holiday season your most profitable yet.

Ready to take action? Get out there and make this your best holiday season ever!

Infographic:  7 Holiday Marketing Mistakes That Can Cost Your Local Business (and How to Avoid Them)

The holiday season can make or break a local business. It’s the most competitive time of the year, and while the potential for sales is high, so are the chances of making costly mistakes.. Below are seven common holiday marketing mistakes and how to avoid them, so your local business can make the most of the season.

1. Starting Too Late

43% of consumers start their holiday shopping before November. Don’t wait until December to start promoting your holiday sales. Begin teasing your offers as early as October to capture early shoppers. Create a content calendar that builds excitement over time, ensuring you’re top of mind when the holiday rush begins.

2. Ignoring Mobile Shoppers

79% of smartphone users made a purchase online using their mobile device in the last six months.  Ensure your website is mobile-optimized. Slow load times or poor mobile navigation can lead to lost sales. Test your checkout process on various devices to ensure a seamless experience for on-the-go shoppers.

3. Overlooking Local SEO

76% of people who search for something nearby visit a business within a day. Boost your local SEO by optimizing your Google Business Profile for holiday hours, updating business descriptions, and posting holiday-related content. Make it easy for customers searching locally to find your store, services, or promotions.

4. One-Size-Fits-All Promotions

67% of consumers expect offers and promotions to be personalized.  Instead of generic holiday promotions, segment your customer base to create targeted offers. For example, offer loyal customers an exclusive early-bird discount, and new customers a “first-time shopper” deal to attract and convert them.

5. Forgetting to Upsell or Cross-Sell

Upselling increases revenue by an average of 10-30%.  Use the holiday season to upsell and cross-sell related products. Suggest gift bundles or holiday packages that include complementary items. For instance, a clothing store could offer discounted scarves or hats when a customer buys a winter coat.

6. Neglecting Email Marketing

Email marketing generates an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent. Use email marketing to remind customers of holiday deals, exclusive promotions, and countdowns to the big sales. Create a series of engaging emails that build anticipation, offering sneak peeks or VIP deals for email subscribers.

7. Lacking a Clear Call to Action

70% of small business websites don’t have a clear call to action.  Every piece of holiday marketing—whether it’s an email, social media post, or landing page—should have a clear, compelling call to action. Whether it’s “Shop Now,” “Claim Your Discount,” or “Reserve Your Spot,” make sure the next step for your customers is obvious.

Conclusion (Powerful Takeaway):

The holiday season presents a massive opportunity for local businesses, but it’s easy to stumble if your strategy isn’t airtight. Avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll not only survive the holiday rush—you’ll thrive. Remember, the holiday season is about more than just sales—it’s about building lasting relationships with your customers that extend well into the new year.