Maximising January Sales: Strategies for Post-Holiday Rush

Aug 05, 2024

The holiday season is a whirlwind for small, independent business owners, and it’s crucial to keep the momentum going into the new year.

In this blog post I’ll be giving you strategies on how to make the most out of creating maximum sales this January and I’ll also touch on how to look after yourself during this busy period.

 

 

 

Importance of January Sales

First off, let’s talk about why January sales are so important. After the holiday rush, many businesses see a dip in sales, but January can be a great opportunity to keep the cash flow steady and start the new year strong. Many people are still in the buying mood, especially with gift cards and holiday money burning a hole in their pockets. Plus, it’s the perfect time to clear out leftover holiday inventory and introduce new products.

So, how do we make the most of this month? Let’s get into some strategies.

 

Preparing During November and December

I know November and December are incredibly busy, but with a little preparation, you can set yourself up for a successful January. Here’s how:

  1. Plan Ahead: During the holiday season, take some time to plan your January promotions. What products aren’t doing as well as you’d hoped? What had you slightly over-ordered? What do you want to push in January? Are there any themes or trends you can capitalise on, like New Year’s resolutions or winter sales that resonate with your business and your customers? Consider where your customers see themselves in January and how you can continue to use messaging in your marketing and advertising so speak directly to how they are feeling.

 

  1. Create a Content Calendar: Just like you did for Christmas, map out your marketing content for January in advance. Schedule your social media posts, email newsletters, and blog articles so you’re not scrambling after the holidays. If you have successfully done this for the Christmas period, you should now have some time to focus your attention on what you want to achieve in January.

 

  1. Stock Management: Keep an eye on your inventory. Do you need to order extra stock of products to feature in January promotions or are you planning on using the existing stock that you have? Think about what your overall goal is for January and act accordingly instead of just reacting as the time comes.

 

  1. Customer Data Collection: During your holiday rush, collect as much customer data as possible. This will help you create targeted marketing campaigns in January. Email addresses, purchase history, and feedback are gold mines for personalised marketing. During your black Friday and Christmas campaigns you should be finding ways to collect customer email addresses so that you can keep showing up and remind them of the value you can provide them… This isn’t about sending promotion after promotion, this is about building trust and sharing your passion behind what you do.

 

  1. Automate Marketing: Use marketing automation tools to schedule emails and social media posts. This will save you time and ensure consistency even when you’re busy.

By preparing in advance, you’ll hit the ground running in January without feeling overwhelmed.

January Marketing Strategies

Alright, let’s dive into some specific marketing strategies for January:

  1. New Year Promotions: Everyone loves a fresh start. We’re full of New Year, New Me energy… Now is the time to promote your products that align with your perfect customer’s New Year’s resolutions, such as fitness gear, planners, or health products.

 

  1. Clearance Sales: If you plan on dropping the price of certain products for your January sales, I want you to always be thinking about how this benefits your perfect customer so you can entice those people to give your products a try as opposed to just getting a load of one-buy wonders that don’t resonate with your brand or your ethos. So use messaging that still speaks to your perfect customer, why your products benefit them and the value behind what you offer. This way you’ll be more tempting to people who are actually interested in what you offer and will be more likely to turn in to purchasers at full price after.

 

  1. Product Launches: If you have thought about launching new products, January is a great time to start this launch process. People are looking for something fresh after the holiday season and now you can start the conversation about something new for the new year.

 

  1. Content Marketing: Publish content that’s relevant to January, such as winter care tips, home organisation, or goal-setting guides. This keeps your audience engaged and drives traffic to your site. Think about what you can relate back to your products, how customers tend to act around them in January and how you can drive further attention and desire.

 

  1. Email Marketing: Send targeted emails based on customer behaviour and purchase history. Personalise your emails to make customers feel valued and encourage repeat purchases. Speak to your customers in these emails like you would have a conversation with them. Keep them friendly and informal but full of help, tips and information.

 

  1. Social Media Engagement: Run interactive campaigns on social media. Host contests, polls, or Q&A sessions to keep your audience engaged and interested in your brand. Keep showing up for your customers and future customers, and your customers will keep showing up for you.

These strategies will help you maintain sales momentum and keep your customers engaged through January.

Remember, a healthy and happy you means a more productive and successful business.

 

Engaging with Customers Post-Holiday

Engaging with your customers after your January promotions is crucial.

Here’s how to keep the connection strong:

  1. Send Thank-You Notes: A simple thank-you note can go a long way. Show your appreciation for their January purchases and loyalty.

 

  1. Request Feedback: Ask for feedback on their shopping experience and your products. Use this information to make improvements and show that you value their opinions.
  2. Exclusive Offers: Reward your loyal customers with exclusive offers and discounts. Make them feel special and encourage repeat business.

 

  1. Loyalty Programs: If you don’t already have one, consider starting a loyalty program. Offer points for purchases that can be redeemed for special gifts, invites to VIP nights, new product launches.. remember to make sure they are desirable by your perfect customer and make it worth their while.

 

  1. Follow-Up Emails: Send follow-up emails with product recommendations based on their holiday purchases. Personalised emails can drive additional sales.

By staying engaged with your customers, you’ll build stronger relationships and encourage repeat business.

 

Analysing and Learning from your January promotions

Finally, take some time to analyse and learn from the holiday season:

  1. Review Sales Data: Look at your sales data to see what worked and what didn’t. Identify your best-sellers and any patterns in customer behaviour.

 

  1. Customer Feedback: Analyse the feedback you received. What were the common themes? Use this information to improve your products and services.

 

  1. Marketing Performance: Evaluate your marketing campaigns. Which channels and strategies were most effective? Use these insights to refine your future campaigns.

 

  1. Inventory Management: Assess your inventory levels. Did you have too much or too little stock of certain items? Adjust your ordering strategy accordingly.

 

  1. Team Debrief: Have a debrief with your team. What went well? What could be improved? Collaborate on strategies for the next busy season.

Learning from the holiday season will help you make better decisions and improve your business performance in the future.

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