It doesn’t matter what your business is, holiday time is SALES time!

So I have to start this off by saying that I, as a human, don’t love the fact that holidays are now associated with discounts and materialism. I mean, I’m a real person. I like connection. It’s important to me that I spend time with my family, and I love using the holiday season to do that – there’s nothing more magical than my boys’ faces when they know they’re going to get to spend a whole day with me and their dad, because it’s a holiday and that’s how we do it.

But as a business owner, I have to admit that there is so, SO much that goes on behind the scenes in the holiday season! And those behind the scenes tasks and challenges aren’t just my struggle, they’re the struggle of every business owner as we head into the winter season.

One of the biggest ones? Holiday themed sales. Which… means needing holiday themed product/service images! Even I, as a photographer, need holiday themed images to use in my promotion this time of year.

Things to Think About to Make Those Holiday Sales

It doesn’t matter what you do, when you’re headed into the holiday season you’ve GOT to think about theming your content and promotions. Everyone is looking for gifts, everyone is feeling the holiday vibes (no matter what they celebrate!) and that means it’s a connection point!

So, when you’re pulling together your materials for holiday time, what should you think about? Especially as a product-based or hybrid business? Lots of things!! So let’s break them down.

Holiday Sales Product Variation Photos

The first thing you need to think about, even before you schedule your branding session for the holidays, is what sales you’re going to run, and what will be included! Are you offering a certificate for massage sessions, that can be purchased at a discount, and then gifted? Or are you going to offer a percentage off your e-commerce shop?

The different things you can offer vary widely, and you’re allowed to choose whatever works best for you this season. No holds barred, that part is entirely up to you. But, whatever it is, it will help to dictate which products/services of yours need holiday product photos this year! So make your sales list, and check it twice (haha, funny right??), and talk it through with your branding and headshot photographer!

Gift-Based Marketing

The next thing on the list you need to think about for the holiday season, is gift-based marketing. Are you going to be doing gift promotions this year? It’s definitely not required, but there are SO many benefits to creating pins on Pinterest that are gift-based, blogging on your website about how your products can be gifted, and making social posts that say the same thing.

So… if you’re doing some campaigns based around how your products or services make amazing gifts, you’re going to need some gift-themed product/service images! Luckily for your service based businesses, that’s going to be easier. You don’t have to work as hard or have specific images taken, you can really use any images of your work. But… if your service changes throughout the year, or is more holiday-centric during a specific part of the year, it’s time to create an image package that reflects those specific traits of what you do!

If you’re a product seller, it’s time to think about setting up some cool flat lays of your products, gift boxes, gift wrap – get creative! Or, like I’ve mentioned, hire a professional branding photographer, tell them what you’re putting on sale this winter season, and… let them do their thing! They’ll absolutely get you sorted out with gift-related images to use on your website, on your social media, and more.

Get Active on Social NOW

Speaking of social media… I know it’s not even October yet, but it’s TIME. Not only is it time to start thinking about the new images you need to have taken by your favorite photographer, but it’s time to get the social campaigns started. Even if it’s just teasing that something is coming!

You have to remember, it takes about 7 times of seeing something for someone to remember it, and honestly that research is pretty old now. We’re constantly bombarded by marketing of one kind or another, and it’s probably more exposure required in this day and age. So you have to start early!

It doesn’t mean switch to exclusively promoting the sale items, or telling your customers exactly what to expect from every turn in the holiday season, but a few detail drops are a GOOD idea!

Not to mention… now is ABSOLUTELY when you should be putting together your social posting schedule for the holidays. I mean… you don’t want to be managing that in real time. Holidays are for spending with your family!!

Need a Branding Photo Package to Support Your Holiday Sales?

I know the holiday season can be a LOT for business owners, between answering more customer questions than usual, dealing with gift orders – it can be a lot. But with the right support from other professionals, it can be a breeze! So, if you need a professional branding photographer to help handle your holiday campaigns… let’s talk!

I would love to help you create a package of images that helps your product or service set stand out, and not only that… but move the needle this holiday season!!