The holiday season can be a busy time for businesses, whether you sell products or offer services. With so much to do, it's important to take the opportunity to show appreciation for your clients and customers. Not only is it less expensive to retain existing customers than to attract new ones, but the holidays can be a particularly meaningful time to show your appreciation, as people may be feeling stressed and in need of kind words. Here are some ways to reach out to your customers during the holiday season to keep your business top of mind throughout the year:

1. Send a card: A holiday card is a simple but effective way to show your appreciation for your clients and customers. Physical cards in the mail are best, but an email will work as well. If you have a mix of regular and occasional clients, consider more personal cards for those you're closest with.

2. Send a gift: Get creative with your gift-giving. If your business has samples to give away, use those. Alternatively, you can offer a special promotion during the holiday season. If you sell products online, surprise customers with a bonus free sample or free shipping. Service-based businesses can send digital resources as a way to say hello, especially if they're relevant to the holiday season.

3. Send gift suggestions: Help your customers choose gifts for their loved ones by sending gift guides or lists of your most popular products. Service-based businesses can also get in on this by sending email or social media campaigns with holiday gift ideas.

4. Hold a giveaway: Giveaways are a fun way to engage with customers and show off your products or services. You can hold a giveaway on social media or in-store, and offer a prize relevant to your business. Service-based companies can give away a consultation or treatment, while businesses with physical goods can offer a product as a prize.

5. Send notifications about your holiday hours: Make sure to inform your audience about any changes to your business hours during the holiday season. This is also a good opportunity to remind them to get orders in or book appointments early.

6. Offer a way to give back to the community: Provide a way for your customers to give back to the community during the holiday season. This can be a great way to drive engagement while also doing some good. You can hold a promotion where a portion of sales go to charity, or offer a special deal to customers who donate to a specific cause.

By following these tips, you can show your appreciation for your customers and clients during the holiday season and keep your business top of mind throughout the year.

- The Accountant.