14th August 2020
It’s August 14th, the sun is shining and I’m writing about Christmas!!
No, I am not going mad, and yes I am talking about the festive season, which seems at odds with the current weather we are having across the UK; aside from the storms, the sun has been beating down for what seems like the longest time since 1976 (if you are old enough to remember you will know what I mean).
And yet, the time is absolutely right to start talking about Christmas on your social platforms, and for those of you who are serious retailers, it’s also time to start mentioning it to clients when they are in the salon.
19 weeks, thats all that is left between glorious sunshine and tucking into your Christmas dinner. Put that into realtime perspective, with clients now visiting salons on average every 9 weeks, that means some most of your clients will only see you twice between now and Dec 25th.
What it also means is that there are only 4 pay days before Santa sets off to deliver his haul of presents to everyone.
Add into the mix that we are in recession (officially) and it all adds up to a perfect storm if we don’t start planning and posting right now! It’s perhaps inevitable that the festive shopping budget for us all this year is going to be looked at and reduced, so it’s time to think about what you have to offer that consumers will want to start purchasing.
Perhaps you haven’t had your product suppliers share their Christmas gift offering with you yet, that’s okay, Im not advocating that you make your social platforms all festive and glittery just yet ….. but you can start talking up the fact that it is 19 weeks to go, and that planning ahead can be a productive way to have an affordable festive gift plan.
If your suppliers have furnished you with information about their offerings, then share subtle hints, post pics of the gift packs (if they are available), post teasers….. coming soon etc!
Talk up your gift voucher options. This season, gifts that are used friendly are going to be more impactful than items that serve no purpose. Lockdown has shown us all how to live with what we need, not necessarily what we crave, and that feeling will continue, because, as history shows us, recession makes us look at every day items much more than the ‘out of reach’ stuffs.
So don’t think you suddenly have to start flooding your social media platforms with festive images. Keep to your normal daily activities (not too many back of head shots please) and start adding some subtle, tasteful (if you can) images and messages about the fact that YOU are thinking of YOUR clients and the fact that CHRISTMAS IS COMING.
Don’t miss out on the opportunities that are available right now.
Keep checking in for posts about your favourite brands festive offerings.
Now I’m off outside to sit in this glorious sunshine!
OH, and don’t forget, make sure you secure those future appointments EVERY TIME!
