The holiday season can be a whirlwind for women entrepreneurs. Between managing your business, fulfilling customer orders, and balancing personal commitments, marketing can sometimes fall to the bottom of the to-do list. But don’t worry—it’s not too late to create an impactful holiday marketing plan. Even if you’re running short on time, there are quick, effective strategies you can implement right now to boost sales and engage your audience.
Here are 10 last-minute holiday marketing tips tailored to women entrepreneurs that will help you maximize your holiday sales and spread some festive cheer along the way.
1. Leverage Social Media for Flash Sales
Social media is a powerful tool for last-minute marketing, and one of the easiest ways to drive immediate engagement and sales is through flash sales. These short-term, time-sensitive offers create urgency and excitement, prompting customers to act quickly.
Actionable Steps:
- Announce a 24- or 48-hour flash sale on your top-selling products.
- Use Instagram Stories, Facebook, or Twitter to spread the word quickly.
- Offer limited-time discounts or free shipping, and remind your followers periodically before the sale ends.
Pro Tip: Add countdown timers to your stories to create urgency. Canva offers free holiday-themed templates you can customize to announce your sale.
2. Send Out a Last-Minute Holiday Email Campaign
Email marketing is one of the highest-converting channels, and a well-timed email can still work wonders during the holidays. Focus on creating a last-minute email campaign to re-engage your customers.
Actionable Steps:
- Send out an email promoting any holiday deals, free shipping, or last-minute gift ideas.
- Use holiday-themed subject lines like “Last Call for Holiday Savings!” or “Still Time to Grab the Perfect Gift!”
- Add a call-to-action (CTA) directing customers to your online store.
Free Resource: Use platforms like Mailchimp or MailerLite, which offer free plans and easy-to-use templates to get your email campaign up and running fast.
3. Highlight Gift Cards and Last-Minute Deals
Gift cards are a perfect last-minute option for customers who are short on time but still want to give a thoughtful present. Promote them as an easy solution for shoppers who may have missed shipping deadlines.
Actionable Steps:
- Create a prominent banner on your website advertising gift cards.
- Mention them in your email and social media marketing.
- Offer an extra incentive, like a small bonus gift card with purchases over a certain amount.
Tip: Consider offering digital gift cards that can be instantly emailed to the recipient for maximum convenience.
4. Use Social Proof and Customer Testimonials
In the rush of holiday shopping, customers look for products they can trust. By sharing customer testimonials or reviews, you give potential buyers the confidence they need to make a purchase from your business.
Actionable Steps:
- Create a social media post or story highlighting a positive review or customer success story.
- Use customer-generated content (photos or testimonials) to showcase how your products bring joy to others during the holidays.
- Feature reviews prominently on your product pages or website’s homepage.
Pro Tip: Encourage your current customers to leave reviews by offering them a small discount on future purchases.
5. Host a Festive Giveaway or Contest
A holiday-themed giveaway is a great way to increase brand visibility and engage your audience at the last minute. Plus, it’s fun and gives your followers something to be excited about!
Actionable Steps:
- Create a simple giveaway on Instagram or Facebook, asking followers to like, share, or comment to enter.
- Offer a holiday bundle of your best-selling products or a gift card as the prize.
- Set a short entry period (1-2 days) to keep up the urgency and excitement.
Free Resource: Tools like Gleam and Rafflecopter make it easy to host and manage giveaways, even for free.
6. Optimize Your Website for Mobile Shoppers
Many customers shop on their phones, especially when they’re on the go during the holiday season. Ensuring your website is mobile-friendly will help you capture those last-minute shoppers who are browsing from their phones.
Actionable Steps:
- Test your website’s load speed on mobile devices using Google’s free Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
- Simplify the checkout process by reducing the number of steps needed to complete a purchase.
- Make sure your contact information, gift card offers, and shipping details are easy to find on mobile.
Tip: If you notice your website isn’t as mobile-friendly as you’d like, Shopify and Squarespace offer user-friendly, mobile-responsive templates you can quickly implement.
7. Promote “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” or Local Delivery
If you have a physical store or the ability to offer local delivery, highlight this as a last-minute option for holiday shoppers. Many customers will appreciate the convenience of buying online and picking up their purchases the same day.
Actionable Steps:
- Promote local delivery options or curbside pickup on your website and social media channels.
- Offer special “local-only” deals for customers who choose in-store pickup or local delivery.
- Send a reminder to your email list about your local service options for those who missed shipping deadlines.
Tip: Use Google My Business to highlight these local services so nearby shoppers can easily find you.
8. Create Holiday-Themed Content Quickly
Content marketing doesn’t have to be time-consuming. With a few quick tweaks, you can create holiday-themed content that feels festive and relevant to the season, even if you’re short on time.
Actionable Steps:
- Create holiday-themed graphics or posts using free tools like Canva, which offers a variety of holiday templates.
- Share behind-the-scenes content of how your team is preparing for the holidays, or share a “thank you” message to your customers.
- Write a quick blog post or social media story about last-minute holiday gift ideas featuring your products.
Pro Tip: Short videos or Instagram Reels showcasing holiday deals, gift guides, or wrapping tips tend to perform well during the holiday season.
9. Offer Free Shipping or Express Delivery
Shipping costs are often a barrier to customers, especially during the holidays when time is running out. Offering free shipping or express delivery options can be the final push customers need to complete their purchase.
Actionable Steps:
- Offer free shipping for orders over a certain amount, or provide a coupon code for free shipping.
- Promote express delivery options if your logistics allow for it, making sure customers know the cutoff dates for holiday delivery.
- Highlight these offers in your social media posts, website banners, and email campaigns.
Tip: If free shipping isn’t an option, offering discounted shipping or a flat rate can also be appealing to last-minute shoppers.
10. Partner with Local Businesses or Influencers
Collaborating with local businesses or influencers can help you reach a wider audience and add a fresh element to your last-minute holiday marketing strategy.
Actionable Steps:
- Reach out to a local business and propose a holiday bundle or co-promotion where both of your products or services are featured.
- Partner with a local influencer who can promote your holiday sales or special offers on their social media channels.
- Create a joint giveaway or bundle with another entrepreneur to increase exposure and appeal.
Free Resource: Use platforms like Instagram’s “Collab” feature to team up with others for easy cross-promotion, doubling your reach.
Final Thoughts: Make the Most of the Holidays with Smart, Last-Minute Marketing
The holiday season can be a stressful time for women entrepreneurs, but by implementing these last-minute marketing tips, you can still have a successful holiday sales season without the overwhelm. From leveraging social media flash sales to optimizing your website for mobile shoppers, there are plenty of quick, actionable strategies you can use to boost engagement, drive sales, and end the year strong.
Remember, the holidays are about connection, joy, and community. Let your marketing reflect those values, and your audience will appreciate the effort you’ve put into making their holiday season just a little brighter.
You’ve got this! Happy holiday marketing!