7 Holiday Marketing Tips on a
Limited Budget
by Caron Beesley, Community Moderator
When we think of holiday marketing - which can be critical to your business success - we often think only of promotions and discounts. But you don't have to cut your margins or break the bank to stand out from the crowd any more. Here are seven budget-friendly steps you should consider to promote your small business while meeting the needs of your customers this holiday season.
Host an "Open House"
If you operate a retail business, restaurant or any gift-oriented business, why not plan an open house event in mid-November? Use it to showcase holiday season gifts, menus and merchandise. Offer up a glass of warm cider or mulled wine, and really get people into the spirit of the holidays. This will give customers an opportunity to check out your merchandise or holiday menus in advance. You could throw in a special offer or coupon that customers can redeem anytime up until December 24.
Work the Holiday Magic for Your Faithful Customers
Think of ways to generate repeat holiday business from your existing customers. Special offers, sneak previews, free shipping, or secret sales are all great ways to make your faithful customers feel special without breaking the bank.
Feature Product/Services of the Day or Week
I love this low cost marketing idea from Ivana Taylor at SmallBizTrends: why not create 12 days of "your product" or a product or service of the month? Feature and market a product or service every day or every week during the holidays. Think about focusing on high margin products or items your customers don't know about. "Companies in the food business use this strategy a lot," explains Ivana. "Think beer of the month, cheesecake of the month, or coffee of the month... Maid service companies could feature an extra cleaning detail each month, trainers or consultants can offer featured webinars, reports or newsletters."
And don't forget to communicate this themed promotion on your website, social media, email, posters, and flyers.
Offer Gift Certificates
Whatever your business, selling gift certificates, gift cards and e-certificates is a great way to give your customers a convenient gift option. They also help you generate sales well into the New Year, with recipients often spending more than the value of the certificate.
Partner With Other Businesses
It's likely that many of the businesses in your community also rely heavily on the holidays for a good chunk of their income. Is there a way you can partner with complementary stores or restaurants to cross-promote each other's businesses? For example, a cosmetic store and a hair salon might develop a promotion that offers a time-limited discount off each other's respective goods and services, if the customer frequents both. SBA guest blogger Rieva Lesonsky offers more tips in her blog:
Forget Competition It's Time for Co-Opetition.
Get Involved in Community and Charitable Events
Getting out there and supporting charities or sponsoring or getting involved in community events is a great way to generate awareness for your business during the holidays. Even if you don't have the budget to donate large sums of money, think of other ways to get involved, such as offering volunteer services, equipment or even space.
Use Your Website and Social Media to Promote your Holiday Activities
Your online presence, email marketing, and social media networks are a great way to target and connect with local consumers through timely updates and compelling calls-to-action. Develop holiday themes for your email templates and update your website and Facebook profile picture with a festive look.
Then be sure to channel any offers or promotions through social media. You can even offer deals or events exclusively to your social media fans to help drive foot traffic and generate leads. And don't forget to engage in two-way dialogues. Ask your fans about their holiday activities. For example, a restaurant might highlight a holiday dish of the day on Facebook and ask fans to chime in on their favorite dish or items they'd like to see on the menu.
About the Author
Caron Beesley is a small business owner, a writer, and marketing communications consultant. Caron works with the SBA.gov team to promote essential government resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners start-up, grow and succeed. Follow Caron on Twitter: @caronbeesley.
|
Eggs N' Issues
With Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Eggs N' Issues is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 8:30 am at the Daphne United Methodist Church Community Life Center. Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack will be the keynote speaker. The Topic will be "Multi Dimensional Enforcement in a Growing County".
Sheriff Mack will provide updates on the Sheriff's office as well as information on technology, communications and other ways the Sheriff's office is striving to help assist our citizens as Baldwin County continues to grow. Sheriff Mack will also talk about gun safety in the workplace and new regulations on "carry permits".
Sponsors for the event are NOLA Lending Group, LLC; Hartmann, Blackmon & Kilgore, PC; Harbor Communications; The Lady's Lawn Service and Workshops Etc!.
The registration fee is $10, which includes a hot breakfast. To sign up call (251) 928-6387 or 621-8222. |
Total Resource Campaign Going Strong
The Total Resource Campaign has pr  oven to be quite active. Winners of the first week were Caroline Bishop, Centennial Bank; David Cross, Cintas and Millie Sue Hawk, Welcome Friends.
Winners of the second week were Millie Sue Hawk, and Caroline Bishop. They are pictured with Member Value Vice Chair Don Mecke and Ed Hammele, Chairman of the TRC.
|
Ribbon Cuttings 
The Eastern Shore Chamber welcomed new members and celebrated recent new beginnings of the following members this past month:

The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed new member Advanced Dental Comfort with a ribbon cutting at the 24208 US Highway 98, Ste. C, Fairhope. Attending the event were (left to right, front row): Diane Seifert, chamber ambassador; Kim Daniels, Amber Dickson, Danielle Everett, April Voiles, Nancy Harshberger, Fritz Harshberger, Jennifer Milazzo; Darrelyn Bender, president/CEO ESCoC; Lisa Stogner; and Sally Wagner, chamber ambassador. (Back row): Jeff Ramsland, Larry Hunter, Sean McClay, Cindy Zebyk and Sherry Sullivan, chamber ambassadors; and Kristin Hall. Drs. Fritz Harshberger and Jennifer Milazzo are expanding their services to the Eastern Shore offering dentistry for the entire family and will also offer services such as oral sedation, six month smiles (adult cosmetic braces), and botox/dermal fillers as well as other services. For more information call 251-424-1777 or visit advanceddentalcomfort.com.

The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for member Floor Medic with at 25606 B County Road 13, Daphne. Attending the event were (left to right): Sydney Breaux, Aaron Jagel, Chad Breaux, Ginger Breaux, Jonathan Howze, and Diane Siefert, chamber ambassador. Using powerful truck mounted carpet cleaning machines they clean carpet, tile, stone and upholstery. They also use this same equipment to do water extractions. Offering free pickup and delivery of area rugs they hand wash them after a thorough dusting process followed by a rinse and dry in this area's only rug wringing centrifuge. For more information call 625-0008.
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed new member D'Olive Bay Family Chiropractic with a ribbon cutting at the 29090 U.S. Highway 98, Ste. D, Daphne location. Attending the event were (left to right) Richard Foote and Millie Sue Hawk, chamber ambassadors; Steven Wetzonis, owner; Hannah Littrel; Brenda Carpenter, chamber ambassador and Annette Sebastian. D'Olive Bay Family Chiropractic is dedicated to affordable Chiropractic care for every one whether they have insurance or not. They specialize in treating both children and adults for headaches/migraines; neck, mid-back, hip and low back pain; sciatica; TMJ; and foot, ankle, shoulder or wrist pain. For more information call 621-0240.
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed new member Cintas with a plaque presentation. Chamber ambassador Sherry Sullivan presented the plaque to David Cross, general manager. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, document management, fire protection, and first aid and safety services for more than 900,000 businesses. Cintas is located at 5679 Commerce Blvd., Ste. E, Mobile. For more information call 443-9762.
|
Ambassador of the Month
Millie Sue Hawk, owner of Welcome Friends, was selected as Ambassador of the Month for August. Millie Sue received the honor for having participated in numerous Chamber activities.
A native from "the hills of Tennessee" Millie Sue and her husband, Charles, relocated to Satsuma in 2003 and reside in a water front home on Gunnisson Creek. The couple has five grown children and 13 grand children, ranging from four to 17.
Millie Sue has had quite a busy career, from working as a payroll clerk for Coca-Cola Bottling Co., telemarketing, working in the insurance business and operating Welcome Friends.
One of the first action items Millie Sue accomplished when she brought her business was to contact the Chamber.
"I knew the Chamber would help me get connected," she said. "I couldn't have asked for a better resource."
She added that she has seen how valuable the Chamber is to not only the member businesses, but also the entire business community, with a variety of activities and committees.
When not volunteering for the Chamber Millie and her husband enjoy traveling to Europe, exotic islands and the arctic.
|
Great Deal to Costa Rica 
The Eastern Shore Chamber is collaborating with The Collette Foundation to offer a GREAT deal on a vacation to Costa Rica for 9 days, including transportation, hotel, 14 meals (8 breakfasts, 6 dinners), air taxes and fees/surcharges and lots of fun activities. The dates are October 12 - 20, 2013. There will be an optional 3-night Jungle Adventure Post Tour Extension for an additional cost. The fee is $1,969 per person for triple, $1,999 per person for double, $2,399 per person for single. This is open to friends, family and the community. For more information call the Chamber at 621-8222. Visit: Costa Rica Vacation |
|
Community Calendar |
October 2013
3 Business After Hours/Home-Based Expo, 5 - 7 pm, Gulf Coast Wedding Rentals, 1812 US Hwy. 98, Daphne. An Eastern Shore Chamber event. 621-8222
5&6 Baldwin County Home Builders Assoc. Parade of Homes, 928-9927.
5&6 Grand Festival of Art, downtown Fairhope, ESAC, 928-2228.
6 Baldwin Pops Founder's Day Concert, 6 pm, Henry George Park, Fairhope, 928-3754
6 Fairhope Lions Club Annual Golf Tournament, 1 pm, $60 per player, 626-3343, 990-5118.
9 Flu Shots offered at the James P. Nix Center, 1 Bayou Dr., Fairhope. Cost $15. Bring Medicare, Medicaid or BCBS cards.
12 Phantasy of the Arts, Fairhope Civic Center, $100 tickets in advance, $125 day of, 990-FEEF.
17 Morning Marketing Meeting, 8 am, Scenic Overlook office. An Eastern Shore Chamber event. 621-8222
17 Young Professionals Social, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Fairhope Brewing Company, 914 Nichols Avenue, Fairhope. An Eastern Shore Chamber event. 928-6387
19 11th Annual Dancin' in the Streets: Oktoberfest, Fairhope Sunset Rotary, 7 - 10 pm, De La Mar Ave., Fairhope, Adults $25/$30 day of; under 21 $10/$15 day of, 895-6633 or www.fairhopesunsetrotary.org/oktoberfest.
20 Out of the Darkness Community Walk for American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, reg 1 pm, 455-6453.
26 Turkey Trot Fun Run at Lott Park in Daphne. Benefits Prodisee Pantry. Register at www.active.com.
27 Kiwanis Club of Fairhope Third Annual Gumbo Championship at Fairhope Pier Park, 11 am - 2 pm. Tickets are $15 per person or $50 for four. (251) 622-2804 or www.easternshorekiwanis.org.
|
Housing Statistics
August 2013 |
Houses Sold
267
Average Selling Price
$214,588
Average Days on Market
143
Units on the Market
1,859
Condos Sold
140
Average Selling Price
$312,740
Average Days on Market 167
Units on the Market
962
Unemployment Stats
8/2013 8/2012
AL 6.3% 7.2%
BC 5.9% 7.2%
US 7.3% 8.2%
|
New
Members
As of 9/30/13
Spanish Fort Town Center
(Cypress Equities)
Delana Young
1800 McFarland Blvd. East, Ste. 341
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
342-1491
Rite Aid Pharmacy
Sherry Simmons
6530 Spanish Fort Blvd.
Spanish Fort
626-0015
FirstLight HomeCare of Mobile & Eastern Shore
Danny Feldman
1203 US Highway 98, Ste. 2D
Daphne
281-2004
Cartridge World Daphne
George Harrell
2101 US Highway 98, Ste. C
Daphne
716-1861
Coldwell Banker Reehl Properties
Tania Lazzari
24190 US Highway 98
Fairhope
323-2197
Coldwell Banker Reehl Properties
Kitty Ruzic
24190 US Highway 98
Fairhope
990-6622
Century 21 Meyer Real Estate
Sarah Kuzma
16585 Gulf Shores Parkway
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
968-7516
MG World Importers, Inc.
Edward Wolfe
559 Fairhope Ave.
Fairhope
455-7350
JoAnne Kerr Real Estate, LLC
JoAnne Kerr
106 N. Greeno Rd.
Fairhope
928-8337
JoAnne Kerr Real Estate
Valeria Conner
106 N. Greeno Rd.
Fairhope
928-8337
Aging in Alabama
Kyla Kelim, Eaq.
68 N. Bancroft St.
Fairhope
281-8120
Two Men & A Truck
Leila Holley
1208 B US Highway 98
Daphne
36526
Southern Capital Services
Wendy Bailey
29000 US Highway 98, Ste. 203B
Daphne
626-1140
|
|
Renewed Members
Bayside Taxi, Inc.
Taxi Cab service
Member 7 Years
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama
Insurance Company
Member 18 Years
Warren Averett, LLC
Accountants/Certified Public
Member 5 Years
Baldwin County Sewer
Public Sanitary Sewer
Member 4 Years
Mobile Airport Authority - Brookley
Airport/Transportation Facility
Member 4 Years
Mobile Educators Credit Union
Credit Union
Member 16 Years
Brian Snider
Individual
Member 5 Years
ASP of Baldwin County
Pool & Spa/Supplies/Services/Maintenance
Member 1 Year
The Law Offices of John W. Beck
Legal Services
Member 1 Year
Village Point Foundation
Civic or Fraternal Organization
Member 15 Years
Bounds Family YMCA
Health & Fitness Center
Member 15 Years
Bayshore Christian School
School/Private
Member 11 Years
Circuit Judge Carmen Bosch
Individual
Member 12 Years
Russell, Thompson, Butler & Houston, LLP
William M. Kell
Accountant/Certified Public
Member 6 Years
Bay Area Food Bank
Civic or Fraternal Organization
Member 2 Years
Keith Air Conditioning Incorporated
Air Conditioning Contractors & Systems
Member 1 Year
America Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter
Civic or Fraternal Organization
Member 23 Years
Daphne United Methodist Church
Church
Member 8 Years
Griner Drilling Service
Water Well Drilling
Member 23 Years
Paradise Marine Center
Boat Dealer/Sales
Member 1 Year
Punta Clara Kitchen, Inc.
Candy & Confectionary/Retail
Member 35 Years
Family Security Credit Union
Credit Union
Member 8 Years
Carr Allison
Attorneys
Member 14 Years
National Bank of Commerce
Bank
Member 1 Year
Springdale Travel/Group Department
Travel Agency
Member 1 Year
DiRecManagement Incorporated
Collection Agency
Member 3 Years |
|
|