A holiday shop local campaign is a great way to benefit the community and strengthen the local economy.  A campaign like this can help to reinforce the local business network, while also helping to bolster the citywide holiday spirit.

If you are interested in running a successful holiday shop local campaign, the Bullitt County Chamber of Commerce suggests a few key steps that you should follow. One of the first things that you will need to do is plan your campaign well in advance by kickstarting a shop local campaign for the holidays, businesses can promote their campaign, incentivize customers, support each other, and give back to the community. Here's how.

How to Kick Off a Shop Local Campaign

A "Shop Local" campaign is a great way to encourage customers to buy from businesses in their own community. Not only does this help to boost the local economy, but it also helps to create a sense of community pride. If you're thinking of starting a Shop Local campaign for your business, here are a few tips to get you started.

First, start by reaching out to other local businesses and see if they're interested in participating. Once you've got a few businesses on board, start spreading the word through social media, local print and online publications, and even flyering. Finally, don't forget to keep the momentum going by regularly promoting your Shop Local campaign. By following these tips, you can kick off a successful Shop Local campaign that will bring benefits to your business and the community as a whole.

How Businesses can Promote a Holiday Shop Local Campaign

By getting the word out there through various channels such as social media, print ads, email marketing, and good old-fashioned word of mouth.  Some potential strategies to consider include: Creating a dedicated website or landing page for your campaign, which can help to build awareness and drive customers to participate in promoting the business. Another is partnering with local media outlets to promote your campaign and get the word out about all of the great things that local businesses have to offer.

How Businesses Can Incentivize Shopping Locally During the Holidays

One way your business can incentivize shopping locally during the holidays is by offering rewards to customers. This could be in the form of a discount or a free product for customers who spend a certain amount at your business. You could also offer a loyalty program where customers earn points for every purchase they make, which can be redeemed for discounts or freebies. Another way to encourage shopping locally is by highlighting the unique products and services that your business offers, as well as holding a raffle or giveaway. 

Customers may be more likely to shop at your business if they know that they can find items that they can't find anywhere else. Finally, make sure to let your customers know that when they shop local, they are supporting their community. This can be a powerful motivator, especially during the holidays when many people are thinking about giving back. By taking these steps, you can encourage your customers to shop local and support your business this holiday season.

How Businesses Can Support Each Other Through Joint Marketing

Joint marketing is when two or more businesses team up to cross-promote each other's products or services. Co-hosting events is another great way for businesses to support each other while also getting exposure to new audiences.  Some ideas for joint marketing and co-hosting events include: Partnering with other local businesses to host themed sales or product launches; partnering with complementary businesses to offer gift guides or holiday shopping recommendations; collaborating on content creation such as blog posts, social media campaigns, or videos; hosting events together at your business or another location. By working together, local businesses can maximize their marketing efforts and reach more customers, ultimately benefiting everyone involved.

For example, try collaborating with other local businesses to create a comprehensive gift guide that each business can share with their email lists and websites. And if you want to take your marketing to the next level, try using this free tool to split it into multiple PDFs that you can share with specific social media groups, allowing you to supplement the campaign with some additional targeted marketing.

How Businesses Can Give Back During the Holidays

One way businesses can give back is by donating a percentage of sales to a local charity or non-profit organization. Another way is by partnering with a local charity or non-profit to help them with their holiday initiatives.  This could involve donating items, offering fundraising assistance, or volunteering your time and employees' time to help out. By taking these steps, businesses can help support their local community during the holidays.

A holiday shop local campaign is a great way for businesses to positively impact the community and strengthen the local economy. By kickstarting a shop local campaign for the holidays, businesses can promote their campaign, incentivize customers, support each other, and give back to the community. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your holiday shop local campaign today!