Everyone loves toasting the season. And every mobile bartender and venue owner loves having guests raise their holiday glasses. Yet with so many bars, restaurants and event spaces to choose from, how do you make your business stand out and drive seasonal sales? Well, it’s easier than you think. All you need is a few festive marketing strategies and decor updates.
Before the Season Starts
They’re Making a List
Your customers are expecting to hear from companies that provide holiday goods and services. The holidays are the perfect opportunity to re-engage them with a fun and festive email campaign. Despite being busy shopping, customers still check their email, even on the go. Craft a holiday marketing campaign that highlights your seasonal promotions, decor, and menu. Target emails to specific customer segments. For example, send special loyalty discounts to customers who have used your venue or service before. The more you customize and personalize emails, the more likely they are to convert. Using the person’s name in the subject line can improve the open rate by 26%. Don’t forget to add a sprinkle of holiday cheer to your price quotes and email footers as well.
You can also prep for the season by simply making sure your staff will keep guests in a merry mood. Remind them that when a customer has a happy holiday experience they may become loyal customers year round and refer friends and family. Word of mouth is still a great way to market your business.
Once the Season’s in Full Swing
Give the Best Gifts
During the holidays many people who aren’t event planners are tasked with planning memorable celebrations. Make their job easier by offering seasonal products and promotions. Here are a few simple ideas to get you thinking.
Offer a festive drink menu. Create signature beverages with names inspired by the season and your staff like The Snow Day or Patty’s Peppermint Cocoa. Or add classic holiday drinks like the hot toddy and spiced eggnog.
Help planners create customized menus by using promotions as signposts to highlight popular holiday starters, meals, drinks, and desserts. Put your establishment at the top of the list by donating a portion of sales to charity. ‘Tis the season of giving after all. That means planners may be more likely to give their business, and money, to organizations that give back to charitable causes.
Spread Good Will
Another top holiday marketing tip is to engage your audience on social media. Share your holiday promotions and themed drink menu as well as useful content from other sites. Think cocktail recipes and party planning tips. Directly communicate with followers and build brand loyalty by replying to them or sharing their rave review and thanking them. You can also get customers excited by sharing the progress of your donation drive or holiday bookings.
Deck the Bartender, and the Bar
Starbucks, which introduced its iconic holiday cup campaign in 1997, has proven that brands can create holiday traditions that keep customers coming back. Here are a few holiday marketing ideas to help you create traditions of your own.
You’ve decked the halls, the windows, and the tables. Now what about the bar? And the bartender? Have your holiday bartender dress in a festive vest or wear a Santa hat. Put party-goers in a festive mood with bar tools, glassware, and more seasonal decor. Hand out custom keepsake coasters.
Decorating your bar is easy if you purchased it from The Portable Bar Company. All of our bars make it simple to switch out your current panels for holiday-themed designs. Don’t want to deal with tangled strings of twinkling lights? Order an optional LED kit that makes your entire bar glow.