Holiday studio marketing plans: GO!

It's time to giddy up!

In-Store Preparations

Signage and visual displays

First impressions matter, especially during the holidays when shoppers are actively looking for unique gifts and experiences.

Make your shop impossible to miss:

• Holiday-themed window displays – Transform your windows into eye-catching showcases that stop foot traffic in its tracks

• Sidewalk signage – A double-sided sandwich board is your salesperson on the road (erm, sidewalk). Use it to advertise gift certificates, special workshops, and holiday hours

• In-store displays – Create dedicated areas with clear signage highlighting holiday workshop schedules, store closure dates, and special events

• Counter display for gift certificates – Make gift certificates highly visible at checkout. If customers don't see them, they won't buy them!

Staff training and customer touchpoints

Your staff are your frontline marketing team. Every interaction is an opportunity to spread holiday cheer and boost revenue.

Key training priorities:

• Train front desk staff on all holiday events and workshops, with a focus on promoting gift certificates as the perfect gift for teachers, coaches, friends, coworkers, and family members

• Review scripts for promoting upcoming events naturally during checkout (nobody likes a hard sell, but a friendly mention goes a long way)

• Practice the email signup pitch – Tie it to exclusive holiday offers or early access to New Year events

• Ensure all staff know holiday hours, workshop schedule changes, and closure dates inside and out

• Brief workshop instructors on mentioning events at the end of sessions when customers are most engaged

• Create a quick-reference sheet with key talking points for all staff to keep at the register

Digital Marketing

Website updates

Your website is your digital storefront. Make sure it's holiday-ready!

• Homepage banner with holiday message and featured offers

• Updated schedule page clearly showing holiday hours and special workshops (eliminate confusion before it starts)

• Pop-up or banner for email signup with a holiday incentive to grow your list

• Mobile-friendly gift certificate purchase flow – Most people shop on their phones, so make buying effortless

Email campaign planning

Email is still one of the highest-ROI marketing channels. Plan your sends now:

• Schedule send dates from early November through New Year's

• Plan your content arc: gift guide → holiday schedule → special workshops → year-end gratitude → New Year celebration and winter/school vacation

• Set up an automated welcome series for new subscribers who join during the holidays (This is HUGE - please ask me to help you with this! IT PAYS OFF.)

Social media and events

Meet your audience where they spend their time:

• Create Facebook events for all holiday workshops and special events

• Plan FB/IG posts showcasing gift options, staff favorites, and customer spotlights

• Schedule Stories content for countdowns and behind-the-scenes holiday prep (people love the personal touch)

• Cross-post events to your Google Business Profile for maximum visibility

Don't Miss These Opportunities!

Collaborate with neighboring businesses

It's not too late to plan a promotion with a business near you! Cross-promotions can introduce your shop to an entirely new audience. Check out these collaboration tips to get started.

For more ideas on what to prioritize and how to work with another business, read TCR's recent blog on holiday priorities.

Ornament workshops are still on the table!

Ornament-making sessions are gold for this time of year and can bring in groups you might not otherwise reach. Whether it's your staff traveling off-site or packaging everything up for to-go orders, you can make money NOW doing this! You just need to find the right people to talk to.

Here's how to book them fast:

• Call schools directly and ask to speak with PTA representatives

• Reach out to friends and neighbors—ask who they know in local schools (private schools and church preschools can often be easier to get into versus public schools)

• Ask customers and friends to post in community Facebook groups

• Remember: it's all about who you know! Use your network!

Add a party booking platform to your site

Here's a quick win because it simplifies the booking process for YOU, YOUR STAFF, and YOUR CUSTOMERS. (And don't be surprised when a booking platform like Occasion* significantly increase your corporate bookings)

The bottom line

The holiday season is your chance to shine, wow your loyal, loving customers and attract new customers! With this checklist, you're equipped to create a festive, organized, and profitable end to the year.

What's your first step going to be? Start with the quick wins—train your staff today, update your website this week, and watch the holiday magic unfold.

*Email me and I'll get you right in with Occasion's Leanne for a demo and Q&A

Ooh - be sure you're listed on TCR's Maker's Map. TCR is marketing gift cards from local studios for family far away. (Aunt Freida in Framingham? She can buy her niece, who is a HUGE fan of your studio in southern California, a gift card online for Christmas!)