The Holidays Are Coming!

Yes, it is that time of year again. The holidays will be quickly upon us. Personally, I think it is the best time of year. I enjoy snow (when I don't have to drive in it), lots of food (lots of antacids), and the general kind demeanor of most everyone. But this isn't just a great time for individuals. Businesses get it really good too.

Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, the phone rings. It's a reporter from who knows where, calling to find out what the status of online retailing is for the holidays. What a great question! What an even better opportunity!

The holidays are a great time to build publicity. This is the time of year when people thank you by opening their wallets. Sounds rather commercialized, doesn't it? Don't get me wrong...I love the holidays for their traditions, family, friends and everything else. But if it can build your business in huge ways, why not let it make your holidays even better than they already are?!

First of all, let's concentrate on how to make use of the media in promoting your news stories, articles, etc.

During the holiday season, many media companies are struggling to find relevant holiday stories. This is when you should step in. Make it known that you have a great story (for more information on tying into the holiday season with your stories, check into our audio report on the subject).

Here are 21 ideas that should get the creative juices flowing for you.

1. How sales will be this holiday

2. Best selling items for the holiday

3. How your business is contributing to the community this holiday season

4. Top 10 cool things your employees did to serve the community this past year

5. Sponsor pictures with Santa for a day at the mall

6. Create a product for the top 21 ways to build business next year. (invite to teleseminar)

7. How your company is celebrating the other holidays this season (Hannaukah, Kwannza)

8. How your company is dealing with holiday bonuses, holiday parties, time off and gifts for employees this year

9. Create a quiz that ties your product into the holidays

10. Create a top 10 list that ties your product into the holidays

11. Develop a forecast about your industry for the next year, and submit it to online publications that focus on your industry

12. Say thank you to your customers/clients in a spectacular way

13. Tie your product to the weather

14. Sponsor a holiday contest with a cool prize at the end.

15. Give a major gift to your community

16. Profile your employees that work overtime to handle the holiday rush, and how they fit it all in.

17. Commit to sponsor next year's holiday parade (Johnson Controls got great publicity in Milwaukee for stepping up to sponsor this year's in the face of threats of it's not being held.)

18. Unite with several other local businesses or businesses in your industry to get the cash to do something of note for your community/industry

19. Give something free to every customer who shops/calls/visits on a certain day

20. Sponsor a holiday meal for the homeless or meals on wheels program

21. Sponsor a performance of The Nutcracker or some other holiday program for your community.

Need more information or help? Take a look at our report, to find it.

Special Report #14: How to Piggyback Your Story Ideas onto Holidays and Anniversaries

Find all of our special reports and audio reports at 101publicrelations.com, your source for public relations information!

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Tags: Holidays