It's that time of year again! The holidays are just around the corner, which means it's time to start planning if you want your small business to survive the festive season unscathed. There's a lot to think about from decorating your storefront to hiring seasonal staff. To help you stay the course, check out this holiday season checklist from the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce for small businesses below.

A Festive Look

First things first, you need to make sure your storefront is looking festive and inviting. This will attract customers and get them in the holiday spirit. But beware, decorating your storefront can be a costly endeavor. Make sure you set a budget and stick to it.

Bring In Seasonal Staff

MVP Staffing notes that hiring temporary staff can be a quick and efficient way to add extra hands during a busy time. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when hiring seasonal staff. Be sure to communicate the role and expectations to avoid any confusion clearly, and offer training to help temporary workers hit the ground running. Also, take the time to get to know your seasonal staff and create a positive work environment.

Provide a Gift Guide

To help take some of the stress out of holiday shopping, Shopify suggests providing a gift guide for your customers. By highlighting a few of your most popular items, you can make it easy for customers to find gifts that will suit their loved ones. And to make things even easier, you can offer special deals and discounts on items featured in the guide. Customers will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and they'll be more likely to shop with you again in the future.

You can create a gift guide in both print and PDF format, with the latter allowing you to reach a wider audience. You can make a catalog available in-store while sending out PDFs via email or sharing with QR codes. The nice thing about PDFs is the ability to make quick updates if your inventory changes. You can remove or add pages to a PDF online, or even make edits directly on the page.

Marketing for the Season

There are a few simple tips that can help you get the most out of your holiday marketing. The first step? Start early. Planning your campaign well in advance will give you a chance to execute it flawlessly. Also, focus on creating memorable experiences. This could mean anything from giving out free samples to putting on special events. Lastly, make sure to take advantage of all available channels. In addition to traditional methods like print advertising, consider using social media and email marketing to reach your target audience.

Connect with the Community

The holidays are a great time to give back to those less fortunate than yourself. There are many ways to do this, but one easy way is through donations. Collecting donations from customers as they leave your store or setting up a drop box for food or clothes are both great options. Giving back not only makes you feel good, but it also helps build goodwill toward your small business in the community.

Bring In the Last-Minute Shoppers

Let's face it, no matter how hard we try, there are always going to be some people who wait until the last minute to do their holiday shopping. But that doesn't mean they're not worth your time and effort! There are several ways to attract last-minute shoppers, including extended hours and special promotions. Whatever you do, make sure you're prepared for the rush!

The holidays are a busy time for small business owners! From decorating storefronts to hiring seasonal staff, there's a lot that goes into surviving the holiday season. Use our list of things every small business owner should do before the holidays arrive. With our help, you'll make it through the holidays without breaking a sweat!

Join the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce to connect with local entrepreneurs and resources that can help your business grow.