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Writer's pictureMarcia Riner

15 Creative Revenue-Boosting Strategies for Small Businesses during the Holidays


15 Revenue Boosting Ideas

The last two months of the year can be a pivotal time for small businesses. While many business owners focus solely on holiday promotions, there are untapped strategies that can drive significant revenue before the year ends. Below are some unique and effective ways to boost revenue in November and December while standing out in a crowded marketplace.


1. Create Limited-Time Partnerships

Collaborate with complementary businesses to offer joint promotions or bundled products. For example, a bakery could partner with a local coffee shop to create a holiday-themed bundle, or a fitness studio could team up with a wellness coach to offer a discounted “New Year Reset” package. These partnerships expand your reach by tapping into each other’s customer bases.


2. Offer a Pay-Now, Use-Later Incentive

Encourage customers to invest in future services by offering a discount or bonus for paying now. For instance, a spa could sell gift cards with an added value (e.g., spend $100, get $120). This strategy generates immediate revenue and ensures future business.


3. Host Exclusive Events

Invite your top customers to an in-person or virtual VIP event. Think holiday shopping nights with special discounts, pre-order opportunities, or product previews. Make attendees feel valued with personalized touches like handwritten invitations or exclusive early access to new products or services.


4. Revamp Your Abandoned Cart Strategy

November and December are prime shopping months, and abandoned carts can represent a significant loss. Enhance your follow-up strategy with urgency-driven messaging, like, “Your item is almost gone!” or add a limited-time bonus for completing the purchase. For example, “Complete your order by midnight and receive a free gift!”


5. Tap into Giftable Subscriptions

Subscriptions are not just for streaming services; they’re a growing trend across industries. Package your products or services as a recurring offering that can be gifted. For example, a coffee shop might create a “Monthly Brew Club,” or a boutique could offer a quarterly fashion box. Market these as perfect holiday gifts that keep giving all year long.


6. Leverage Last-Minute Shoppers

Cater to procrastinators by promoting quick and convenient options such as digital gift cards, expedited shipping, or pre-wrapped items. Emphasize “no stress” solutions in your messaging to draw in this audience. Make these options highly visible across your website and social media platforms.


7. Upsell with Purpose

Upselling doesn’t have to feel pushy. Train your team to recommend complementary products or upgrades that genuinely enhance the customer’s experience. For instance, a retailer could suggest gift-wrapping services, while a restaurant might offer holiday catering packages alongside standard menu options.


8. Start a “12 Days of Value” Campaign

Launch a 12-day countdown featuring daily deals, exclusive products, or educational content tied to your brand. Each day could spotlight a new reason to shop with you, keeping your audience engaged and excited to see what’s next.


9. Run a Year-End Loyalty Drive

Reward your best customers with an end-of-year thank-you that drives purchases. Offer double loyalty points, an exclusive discount, or a first look at next year’s offerings. This not only boosts immediate sales but also solidifies long-term customer loyalty.


10. Optimize Your Local SEO for Last-Minute Searches

Ensure your business shows up in local holiday searches by updating your Google My Business profile with seasonal keywords, extended hours, and holiday services. Many customers will search for “last-minute gift ideas” or “open late near me.” Be ready to capture their attention.


11. Promote "Tax-Time Savings" for B2B Clients

For businesses targeting other businesses, highlight tax benefits for year-end purchases. For example, a software company might remind clients they can deduct expenses made before December 31. Craft your messaging to include this timely and practical incentive.


12. Host a Charity Tie-In Campaign

Combine giving with earning by tying a portion of your sales to a local charity. Promote that a percentage of every sale supports a meaningful cause. Customers are more likely to spend with businesses that align with their values, especially during the holiday season.


13. Introduce Tiered Pricing

Encourage customers to spend more by offering incentives at different spending levels. For example:

  • Spend $50, get 10% off.

  • Spend $100, get 20% off.

  • Spend $200, get a free item or service.

This approach motivates customers to increase their cart value to hit the next reward level.


14. Offer a Pre-Order Window for January Deals

End-of-year fatigue is real, but January often brings renewed interest in self-improvement and fresh starts. Give customers a reason to think ahead by opening pre-orders for January services or products with a special “reserve now” rate.


15. Streamline the Checkout Process

Slow or clunky checkout experiences can cost you sales. Audit your online and in-store checkout processes to ensure they’re as fast and intuitive as possible. Offer multiple payment options, including digital wallets and buy-now-pay-later options, to accommodate all customer preferences.


Close the Year Strong

The key to boosting revenue during the holidays is staying agile and thinking creatively. By offering unique, value-driven experiences and tapping into timely trends, you can close the year with strong results while setting the stage for a successful 2025.

Not sure where to start or which strategies will work best for your business? Let’s figure it out together. Schedule your free Profit Booster™ Growth and Marketing Audit at ProfitBooster.biz. We’ll help you identify the best opportunities to drive revenue and maximize your business's potential—just in time to finish the year with confidence and momentum!

 


Marcia Riner's Image

Marcia Riner is the go-to guru for all things business growth and greater profitability.  With over 25 years of experience under her belt, she's the brains behind Infinite Profit®, where she's the CEO and business growth strategist. Her Profit Booster® methodology is the secret weapon for entrepreneurs hungry for more profit, growth, and a killer exit strategy that helps businesses outperform in today's challenging market.


Marcia hosts a weekly podcast called PROFIT With A Plan with videos on YouTube @ www.Youtube.com/profitwithaplan and audio @ www.profitwithaplan.com. She is constantly sharing business growth tips on all of her social channels @marciariner. You can also find her other blogs @www.infiniteprofitconsulting.com/blogs

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