Small businesses have faced significant turbulence over the past few months, grappling with economic challenges that leave them more uncertain than ever. A recent CNN article highlights that while many small business owners express cautious hope, there’s an underlying fear as they look ahead to a change in administrative hands in our country.
Business owners are now focused on how to close out 2024 with solid wins and renewed momentum. Here are five ways small business owners can achieve BIG WINS for their small businesses before January.
Optimize Your Website
Optimizing your website ensures a smooth customer experience, especially as the year-end rush arrives. Nothing is more frustrating for a shopper than encountering an error message, a broken link, or the inability to complete a purchase, which can quickly lead to abandoned carts and lost sales. Before the final push of holiday orders, take the time to thoroughly check all your links, test the checkout process, and make sure that your product listings accurately reflect current inventory. This simple yet often overlooked task can eliminate potential roadblocks that might prevent customers from completing their purchases. Additionally, ensuring your site is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate can encourage more impulse buys. A seamless, hassle-free shopping experience not only increases the likelihood of securing those last-minute sales but could also lead to positive reviews, repeat customers, and a significant boost to your end-of-year revenue totals. A well-optimized website will give you the confidence that you’re maximizing every possible sales opportunity as the holiday season draws to a close.
Holiday Promotions & Bundling Deals
Holiday promotions and bundling deals are powerful tools to drive sales and create a sense of urgency as the year ends. Offering an end-of-year sale with significant discounts on popular items or services encourages customers to make last-minute purchases before the calendar flips to the new year. Bundling lower-priced products into attractive holiday deals allows customers to get more value for their money while also introducing them to a broader range of your offerings. This strategy appeals to new and returning customers looking for great deals, creating an immediate incentive for them to take action. Limited edition holiday product drops can also generate excitement and exclusivity, making customers feel like they’re getting something unique they can’t find elsewhere, adding a sense of urgency to their purchasing decisions.
Moreover, holiday promotions are a great way to re-engage your target audience and past clientele, who are often more likely to purchase or refer others than new customers. Retaining existing clients is over 60% more cost-effective than acquiring new ones, making it especially valuable to focus on re-engaging those who already know, like, and trust your brand. Even if the goal isn’t immediate sales, reconnecting with past clients through exclusive holiday deals can keep you in mind and set the stage for increased referrals and networking opportunities in the new year. By strategically leveraging these promotions, you increase year-end sales, strengthen customer loyalty, and lay the groundwork for a successful start to the following year.
Collaborate With Other Small Businesses
Collaborating with other small businesses for last-minute pop-up events and special promotions can be a strategic way to engage with your local community and boost visibility, especially as the year winds down. These events often arise spontaneously when businesses or venues experience cancellations or unexpected openings, creating an opportunity for proactive companies to jump in and fill those gaps. By positioning yourself as a go-to partner for these last-minute collaborations, you can create buzz around your brand while benefiting from the exposure of partnering businesses. These pop-up events can also introduce your products or services to a broader audience who may not have discovered your company otherwise, fostering immediate sales and brand recognition.
Beyond the short-term benefits, building relationships with other local entrepreneurs through these collaborations can create lasting opportunities for future growth. By working together on last-minute events, small businesses can share resources, promote each other, and co-create experiences that appeal to the same customer base. This mutual support fosters community and can lead to future collaborations, such as joint marketing campaigns, cross-promotions, or co-hosted events. Small businesses are often more agile and flexible than larger corporations to capitalize on last-minute opportunities. By staying proactive and open to these partnerships, you can close out the year on a high note, not just financially, but with stronger ties to other businesses that could lead to even more fruitful collaborations in the future.
Provide a Sneak Preview of What’s Coming in the New Year
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on your marketing efforts and analyze what worked and what didn’t. One key takeaway is the power of email marketing, which is statistically five times more likely to be seen than social media posts. While social media remains a valuable tool for community-building, emails land directly in your ideal customer’s inbox, providing a powerful opportunity to connect with them without battling an algorithm. Since people check their emails multiple times daily, email marketing offers a reliable way to reach your audience and maximize your ROI. Take this time to evaluate your strategy and get laser-focused on how you want to adjust your approach for the year ahead. By learning from your past efforts, you’ll be well ahead of the game when planning for future success.
Looking ahead to the new year, giving your audience a sneak peek of what’s to come can generate anticipation and excitement during the holiday season. Share teasers about new products, events like retreats or conferences, or upcoming programs launching in the first quarter. This keeps your audience engaged and creates buzz around your brand. Offering early access or pre-order options allows your customers to secure spots or products before they’re widely available, tapping into their end-of-year budgets for tax write-offs. This proactive approach boosts sales in the short term while building customer loyalty by making them feel part of an exclusive experience. Preparing in advance and keeping your audience excited for what’s next strengthens immediate sales and long-term relationships.
Consider Online Trainings
Teaching a free webinar or hosting a free masterclass can benefit business growth. You can use the registration for this free event to drive traffic to your email list, be given direct access to the pain points of your desired clientele based on how they respond and what you are hearing them ask for, and you can help them see immediate results which will lead to powerful testimonials. Could you walk them through the presentation with specific calls to action and ensure they understand how to work with you after it is over? If you can show them that you are the expert and that your vast and applicable knowledge serves them well, they will be engaged and curious about how much more they can receive behind the paywall.
Conclusion
Finally, focus on preparation, efficiency, and rest to achieve small wins before January. Start by identifying what’s working in your business and industry, then use that insight to create a plan for the new year—launching a new product, tweaking existing offers, or addressing workflow gaps by growing your team. Managing your time effectively is vital, whether by taking time off to recharge or working strategically to stockpile revenue for future investments. Lastly, prioritize rest by scheduling time off and sticking to those boundaries, as staying well-rested will ensure you can deliver top-tier service and maintain your creativity. By preparing in advance, managing your time wisely, and caring for yourself, you’ll set the stage for a successful start to 2025.
Melissa Pepin and Corry Frazier, small business sidekicks and co-founders at The Business Reboot.
