The holidays are coming quickly! Is your small business ready? The best way to execute any marketing plan is to start early and plan thoroughly. Use these creative ways to promote your small business and get the most bang for your buck by making sure your festivities are tax deductible.
HALLOWEEN:
1. Have your logo printed on Halloween candy. Check out these websites: shindigz.com and whcandy.com for ordering and ideas.
2. Attach a business card or promotional flyer to your goodies. A quick, easy way to get the word out about your small business to trick-or-treaters and their families. Tax deductible, too!
3. Send a box of candy to clients in October. They’ll get lots of goodies around Christmas time, but they’re sure to remember the company that started early and sent them something for Halloween, too.
4. Donate any leftover candy to the US troops. Read more about that, here. “Charitable organizations with 501(3)c status like Operation Gratitude and Soldiers’ Angels collect leftover Halloween candy to include in care packages for soldiers. They are two of many 501(c)3 organizations on the IRS-approved list to donate tax deductible charitable goods.
THANKSGIVING:
5. Sponsor a food drive or coat drive. This is a great way to get employees and clients excited about giving back to the community and any money you donate to the cause is tax deductible.
6. Send out a “thankful” postcard or greeting to clients. There is no better time of year than Thanksgiving to let clients know how appreciative you are of their continued support. A genuine, thoughtful message from you can go a long way. Bonus: all printing and shipping is tax deductible.
7. Organize a 5k or other charity event. If you start early enough, you can plan a “Turkey Trot 5k” on or before Thanksgiving day and donate the proceeds to a local charity. Promotional materials like t-shirts or wristbands are tax deductible, and you’ll likely get some free media coverage from the event.
8. Find a way to serve Black Friday Shoppers. Nearly all small businesses capitalize on Black Friday sales, (and you can too!) but you can also offer free hot chocolate or some kind of treat to those wary shoppers waiting in line for doors to their favorite stores to open. Don’t forget to hand out business cards or flyers promoting your holiday sales as well.
CHRISTMAS:
9. Send your clients a gift or card. Keep in mind that you can only deduct $25 worth of gifts for each client in a year. Visit Mazuma’s holiday gift giving guide, here.
10. Join other businesses to host a gift-giving tree. Find a local charity, put a tree in the business district or shopping area, post Christmas wishes on the tree, and have customers pick a wish and buy the desired gift.
11. Hold a “12 Days of Christmas” sale, event or contest. Give away a different prize every day, offer a different discount every day or spotlight a different product every day. All prizes you buy are tax deductible for your small business.
12. Hold a Christmas party at the office. Invite clients, customers, employees, and their families for a breakfast or luncheon. It doesn’t have to be terribly expensive to be fun. Plan some games, throw together a few refreshments, and show your gratitude for all who help make your business great.
How do you promote your small business during the holidays? Share with us on our Facebook page for a chance to be featured on our blog!
