Raising Visibility During Holiday Time

With the sounds of back-to-school promotions still ringing in our ears, it's time again to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. Are you hoping to achieve new fourth-quarter sales goals? If so, why settle for the same old marketing tactics? Even if you own a nonseasonal service business, the holidays are a great time to engage in programs that will raise your company's visibility and enhance your image--some may even allow you to help others along the way. This holiday season, try one of these four ideas to increase sales and foster goodwill for your company:

1. Roll out premium customer rewards. Whether you're a brick-and-mortar retailer or you sell online, supersize your customer rewards program. Entice your top-tier customers to spend more by offering a series of premium rewards. Offer past customers special discounts or perks, such as free shipping or double rewards points, on certain products or product areas. If you communicate via e-mail, offer speedy checkout to enrolled customers. For best results, make a succession of approximately three premium rewards offers between Halloween and Christmas. And take a page out of Amazon.com's book by tailoring your rewards to match your customers' purchase histories.