Top 10 holiday season public relations ideas for entrepreneurs

The holiday season is always hectic on a personal level, but for many businesses outside of retail, it offers a slower pace and the opportunity to make an impact with current and potential customers. Here are some end-of year public relations concepts to add some spice and results to your business success.

1. Everyone likes gifts and cards – especially if they’re personalized. Check out Send Out Cards for options to personalize your cards with photos and customized messages. Make this holiday the season to reconnect with customers, tap into your database and show them appreciation. This is especially important for you as you are the face of your business. Do something that will make you and your company stand out; feature a photo of a community landmark or local beauty spot. Take the time to hand-sign your cards and add a personal note. The extra thought goes a long way! Consider a mix of online and paper cards; the online message saves trees and money, and the hand-signed cards sent to a limited number of people will differentiate you and your business with your top clients and prospects.
2. When it comes to client gifts, buy items that are have lasting value. Food items are consumed, and the box with your logo quickly goes away – plus holiday snacks are largely unhealthy. Choose something enduring, and better yet, large enough to show your logo from a distance. Some examples are executive portfolios, umbrellas, backpacks, picnic baskets or briefcases. These items are durable and go out into the community with the owner, acting as a mini-billboard for your company. If you have a more limited budget, consider giving away your value in the form of a calendar that has one piece of savvy business advice for each month of the year. It’s not too late to order a calendar online to which you can add your logo, photos and wisdom (www.calendarworld.com).
3. Consider holding a drawing for a gift certificates for an hour of your consulting services either at your own holiday event or a chamber of commerce event, as they often feature raffle prizes. This allows you to collect business cards from the attendees; post one of your staff at a table in the front of your office to greet people and request their cards.
4. Make it a contest. Give away an hour of your consulting services to the person who donates the most cans of food at your holiday event food drive, or make a random selection from those who comment on your blog if you have one (and this is another reason to have one!)
5. Be a holiday charity drive collection point. If your business has a visible location, offer it as a collection location for a holiday fund, food or clothing drive. The value is enormous for your company as you’ll be mentioned in all of the event promotions, and your reputation and value will be enhanced as a strong corporate citizen through your support of a worthy cause.
6. Partner with a local nonprofit for your event. Ask guests to bring a nonperishable food item for the community food bank or a used coat in good condition for the community coat drive. Invite the local high school honor chorus to sing if you have the space; give a donation to the school music program for this service. Feature a nonprofit such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure® at your open house with a “Sip and Shop” opportunity to sell stocking stuffers. Raffle off donated gift baskets and give the proceeds to a nonprofit.
7. Leverage your social media connections for holiday public relations: post photos taken at your holiday gathering on your business Facebook page, and tag the guests. Send the photos to your local newspaper, as well, if it has a weekly business networking section. People love seeing their names and faces in the media, whether social or traditional outlets. Be sure to include the name of attendees’ businesses if you’re sending to the newspaper.
8. Start a discussion regarding holiday-related business suggestions on your LinkedIn group pages – If you’re an accountant, discuss whether client holiday gifts are tax-deductible. What’s the best small business advice to consider while planning for 2011? If you have a blog or page on your website for posting articles, do this as a Q&A and post the link to the blog/article on LinkedIn.
9. Approach holiday networking events with purpose. If you’re hosting the event provide two timed opportunities within the event for people to divide into small groups of 2-4 people, exchange cards and give 30-second elevator speeches, telling who they are, what they do and what makes them unique – and their major goal for 2011. This is the eWomenNetwork way to get to know people and their businesses, and it works. People enjoy this more organized opportunity to make new connections. If you go to holiday mixers, wear a conversation-starting accessory such as a festive piece of jewelry or scarf, or for men, a splashy holiday tie. Ask people what their biggest business or personal dream for 2011 is – you’ll get some surprising answers and attendees generally enjoy this as a way to break the ice. You may find ways to help others as well as discover new resources for your own business in the process.
10. These last few months of the year are the best time to plan your public relations initiatives for the coming year. Brainstorm all of the ways you can amplify your business brand, value and purpose through your website, blogging, social media, traditional media, special events, speaking engagements, newsletters, e-newsletters, contests, community partnerships, sponsorships, seminars, webinars and more. The opportunities are limited only by your imagination, time and budget – although many public relations initiatives are free or extremely low-cost. Build your public relations plans into your 2011 calendar now, and you’ll generate results and growth in the coming year!