If you want to make the most of the opportunity your small business has during the holidays, you need to start preparing now. A little bit of planning can go a long way toward making your small business thrive during the holidays.

Here are a few things you should do to get your small business ready for the holiday season according to the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce:

Give Back to the Local Community

One of the best ways to show holiday cheer is by giving back to the local community. Volunteering at a soup kitchen, visiting a nursing home, or collecting coats for a local shelter are all great ways to spread some holiday cheer. No matter how you choose to give back, you're sure to brighten someone's day. Not only will you make someone's holidays special, but you'll also feel good knowing that you've made a difference in your community. So this holiday season, take some time to give back and make your community a better place.

Add Holiday Decorations to Your Storefront

One of the best ways to attract holiday shoppers is to make your storefront look festive. Put up some holiday lights, hang a wreath on the door, and put out a sign that says "Happy Holidays!" This will let customers know that you're open for business and ready to help them find the perfect gifts.

Bring on Seasonal Staff for the Rush

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, so it's important to have enough staff on hand to handle the increased customer traffic. If you don't already have seasonal staff, now is the time to start hiring. Look for people who are friendly and outgoing, and who have experience working in customer service.

Fine Tune Your Marketing Approach for the Holidays

Your marketing strategy should be tailored to the needs of your target audience during the holiday season. For example, if you're selling products that would make great gifts, make sure your marketing materials highlight that fact. You may also want to run special promotions or offer discounts to entice customers to buy from you.

Create a Gift Guides on the Cheap Using PDFs

If you want to attract holiday shoppers, one of the best things you can do is create a gift guide. This doesn't have to be anything fancy—a simple PDF will do. You can even create it in Word and turn your document into a PDF file easily. Include a list of gift ideas, along with information about where customers can find them in your store. You can distribute your gift guide online or in person.

Have In-Store Promotions for Last-Minute Shoppers

There will always be last-minute shoppers who leave their holiday shopping until the last minute. To attract these customers, run in-store promotions or offer express shipping for orders placed close to Christmas Day. This will show them that you're willing to accommodate their needs and help them get their shopping done on time.

The holidays are critical for many small businesses. By taking some time now to prepare, you can ensure that your business is ready for the influx of holiday shoppers. Decorate your storefront, hire seasonal staff, update your marketing approach, and create a gift guide using PDFs—these are all great ways to attract customers and boost sales during the holiday season! And don't forget about giving back to your community—it's one of the best ways to show appreciation for their support throughout the year!

Join the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce to network with other local entrepreneurs and access valuable resources for helping your business grow.