Sell Now, Serve Later: A Stress-Free Holiday Strategy for Charcuterie Businesses
The holiday season is here, and for small charcuterie businesses, it’s time to shine! People are hunting for unique, delicious gifts, and a charcuterie board makes the perfect festive present. But how do you promote your business without adding more bookings to your calendar? That’s where I come in!
Here’s my plan: I’ll post anonymously in foodie or local community groups asking for recommendations on holiday charcuterie gift cards. All you have to do is jump in and respond, recommending your own business as a local gem. This strategy puts you in front of holiday shoppers without sounding too salesy or “promotional.” It’s subtle, it’s festive, and it’s the perfect way to bring new customers to your door.
This approach also lets you sell holiday gift cards for redemption after the New Year, giving customers a great gift option while giving you a break from the holiday rush. Here’s why this works and how to make it part of your holiday marketing strategy.
It works - after 27 comments within an hour I went back in and edited my post with the business of choice (could be your business).
Be a Holiday Favorite: Why Anonymous Recommendations Are Effective
Imagine this: you’re in a local foodie group, and you see a post like this pop up:
“Looking to support a local charcuterie business that’s selling holiday gift cards—they’re a hit with my clients every year! Looking to buy about a dozen. Any suggestions on a great local biz?”
This kind of post blends right into holiday conversations and naturally catches people’s interest. All it takes is a friendly recommendation from you, the business owner, saying something like, “I run a local charcuterie business, and we have some unique holiday gift card options that can be redeemed for a fresh board in the New Year! Let me know if I can help!” This approach feels casual, friendly, and authentic, and it makes it easy for people to discover your business.
Plus, others might jump in to recommend your business if they’ve enjoyed your boards in the past, giving you even more credibility. People tend to trust these kinds of friendly exchanges far more than traditional ads, which makes them perfect for a low-key holiday marketing push.
Holiday Benefits of This Strategy:
• Boosts trust and credibility within local community groups.
• Engages potential customers without sounding too “salesy.”
• Builds a buzz around your brand just when people are looking for holiday gift ideas.
Holiday Revenue Now, Festive Boards Later: The Magic of Delayed Fulfillment
The holiday season can be both exciting and overwhelming for a small charcuterie business. With gift card sales, you’re able to book holiday revenue without having to produce a single board until January. You get the benefit of holiday cash flow while giving yourself some breathing room for the busy season. When recipients redeem their gift cards in the quieter months, you can focus on creating beautiful, personalized boards without the holiday rush.
Here’s how you can word it to make it feel even more festive:
“We’re offering holiday gift cards that can be redeemed in the New Year for a fresh, delicious charcuterie board—perfect for cozy January nights or a fun Valentine’s Day treat!”
Why This Holiday Gift Strategy Works Wonders:
1. Helps you manage holiday stress by allowing you to fulfill gift card orders in January.
2. Gives customers a flexible, thoughtful gift option during the holiday season without the hassle of last-minute pick-ups or deliveries.
3. Boosts post-holiday sales during the typically slower months of January and February.
It’s a win-win. You get to spread out the workload while your customers feel good about giving a gift that’s unique, flexible, and festive.
Tips for a Smooth and Successful Holiday Gift Card Campaign
Here are a few tips to make sure your holiday gift card campaign brings joy to you and your customers.
1. Create Clear Terms & Conditions for Post-Holiday Redemptions
It’s important to set clear expectations around when and how gift cards can be redeemed. Add a note on your website, on the gift card itself, or on the order confirmation that gift cards purchased in December are redeemable starting January 2, 2025. This way, customers know exactly when they can schedule their orders, and there’s no confusion during the holiday season.
2. Make Your Gift Cards Festive
The holidays are all about presentation, so make sure your gift cards reflect that! Whether it’s a digital card with a holiday design or a physical card wrapped with a ribbon, a bit of festive flair goes a long way. The more “gift-worthy” the presentation, the more appealing it will be for customers to give and share with others.
3. Stay Engaged in the Group Conversation
When you post (or have me post on your behalf) in a local foodie group, make sure to follow up in the comments! Answer any questions, share a bit more about your business, or provide a link to your website or Instagram page. This builds a genuine connection and increases your visibility in the conversation. You’d be surprised how many people are scrolling for gift ideas this time of year!
4. Offer a Small Holiday Incentive on Gift Cards
To encourage more gift card sales, consider offering a little holiday bonus, like an extra $5 or $10 value on each card purchased in December. For instance, buy an $85 gift card, and the recipient gets $90 worth of charcuterie! This kind of small holiday promotion feels special and festive, and it encourages customers to make a purchase now for use later.
Wrapping It Up: Make the Holidays Bright for You and Your Customers
With a little help from an “anonymous wingman” and a smart gift card strategy, you can bring in new customers, secure holiday sales, and keep the workload manageable. The combination of online recommendations and delayed fulfillment through gift cards is a winning holiday marketing strategy that works in your favor.
So this holiday season, let me be your marketing elf. Together, we can subtly spread the word about your charcuterie business, helping you bring in revenue during the holidays while leaving plenty of time to fulfill orders in the new year. It’s a simple, festive way to make the most of the holiday season without the holiday stress.
Happy holidays, and here’s to a delicious New Year!