5 Ways to Market Your Business for the Holiday Season!

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and now is the time to make sure you get the most of your marketing efforts to help secure sales success in the coming months. Here are a few budget-friendly ideas to help get you started: 1. Social Media Contests: If your small business has a social media presence, contests on Facebook and Twitter are often a popular way highlight your brand and engage with customers, reminding them that your product or service is available - and a potentially great gift idea. With a few rules, a clever hashtag and incentive such as a prize or discount on your offerings, you can drum up excitement about - and draw people in to - your business. 2. Extra Appeal for Your Loyal Customers: Take this time to make your loyal customers feel extra special - it may come back to you by way of additional business and referrals. Without breaking the bank, you can provide special offers, sneak previews, free shipping or secret sales. 3. Special Events or Open Houses: Make your small business stand out by hosting an open house or special event at your store or restaurant. Use it to showcase holiday season gifts, menus and merchandise so customers can get a glimpse of your seasonal goods in advance. Pair the browsing with light refreshments - a mug of hot cocoa or a glass of cider - to get people in the holiday spirit. On their way out, give a special offer or coupon that invites customers back to make their purchases at a discount. 4. Holiday Help: This is a great idea from Illana Bercovitz at Small Business Trends: use social media to offer helpful tips during a stressful holiday season. Consider your industry, product or service and related advice you could offer to make customers' lives easier. "Everyone appreciates useful advice and your customers will thank you for pushing content that makes their holidays slightly less stressful," Bercovitz says. Use an original hashtag to maintain brand awareness across platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. 5. Email: Although it's often considered overused, email remains inexpensive and easy to implement when it comes to maintaining contact with existing customers. That's a key to remember - to be effective, email marketing should be used with folks you have already done business with or who have expressed an interest in your business and have requested email from you (otherwise known as permission marketing). Don't forget to send us your Small Business Saturday specials for next week's eblast and blog! "Being able to touch so many people through my businesses and make money while doing it, is a huge blessing. - Magic Johnson    Click below for this week's deals and events! The Coosa Caterwaul BOOKMARK US: www.etowahchamber.blogspot.com

(Click on any of the underlined listings for more information)    Ribbon Cuttings    Ribbon Cutting and Holiday Open House at PrestigeMedical Spa Tuesday Nov 12, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Ribbon Cutting at It Works, Representative Crystal Liles Wednesday Nov 13, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Ribbon Cutting for Attalla ACE Hardware Friday Nov 15, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Ribbon Cutting at Big Chief Saturday Nov 16, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Ribbon Cutting at Airport Cafe Tuesday Nov 19, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Ribbon Cutting / Open House at Clinical Urology Associates P.C Tuesday Nov 19, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Ribbon Cutting for Somewhere In Time Thursday Nov 21, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Ribbon Cutting at King's Olive Oil Friday Nov 22, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Arts & Culture, Community, Chamber Of Commerce, Holiday Register Online Ribbon Cutting at Bowman & Beck Monday Dec 2, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of The Gadsden Museum Gift Shop Wednesday Dec 4, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Ribbon Cutting at The Jeweler's Bench Thursday Dec 5, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Ribbon Cutting and Open House for Pediatric Dentistry East Thursday Dec 12, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online   EVENTS Business After Hours at The Pitman sponsored by Comcast Business Services, Rainbow City Pet Clinic and Velocity Food and Spirits Tuesday Nov 12, 2013 ... read more Register Online One-to-One Small Business Counseling Wednesday Nov 13, 2013 small business counseling ... read more Categories: Chamber Of Commerce, Continuing Education GPL Downloading & Saving Your Docs & Files Wednesday Nov 13, 2013 ... read more Categories: Continuing Education The State of Alabama's Water: How is the Gadsden Area Affected? Thursday Nov 14, 2013 ... read more Categories: Community, Government, Schools, Continuing Education Alabama Water Policy Symposium Friday Nov 15, 2013 ... read more Categories: Community, Government, Schools, Continuing Education Lawley Hospice Care: Community Appreciation Day Friday Nov 15, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Community Belk: Santafest Saturday Nov 16, 2013 ... read more GPL Microsoft Word Wednesday Nov 20, 2013 ... read more Categories: Continuing Education DGI presents: Christmas Open House: There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays Thursday Nov 21, 2013 - Saturday Nov 23, 2013 ... read more Business & Gravy, Co-Sponsored by Baker Tire and Tameria Driskill, Attorney Thursday Nov 21, 2013 ... read more Categories: Community, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Mayors Thanksgiving Luncheon Thursday Nov 21, 2013 ... read more Categories: Community, Holiday Luncheon: Future of Alabama's Economy - Increasing Attention on STEM Fields Friday Nov 22, 2013 ... read more Categories: Government, Schools, Chamber Of Commerce Register Online Chamber 101 at the Gadsden Public Library Friday Nov 22, 2013 chamber master online training ... read more Register Online An Evening With Percy Sledge Friday Nov 22, 2013 ... read more Categories: Community Mocs on the Rocks Trail Run 5k/10k/1k Fun Run Saturday Nov 23, 2013 ... read more Categories: Recreation & Sports Tracy Lawrence in Concert at Center Stage of Etowah County Saturday Nov 23, 2013 Concerts, Tracy Lawrence, Center Stage ... read more Categories: Community, Recreation & Sports One-to-One Small Business Counseling Wednesday Nov 27, 2013 small business counseling ... read more GPL Tracing Your Family History Online Wednesday Nov 27, 2013 ... read more Categories: Continuing Education Thou Queendome Come Ft. Mrs. V Saturday Nov 30, 2013 ... read more Categories: Community Gadsden State Spring 2014 Registration Monday Dec 2, 2013 ... read more Categories: Community, Schools, Continuing Education First Friday, Downtown Gadsden The North Pole Stroll. Friday Dec 6, 2013 ... read more Categories: Arts & Culture The EYO Rock & Roll Christmas Concert Friday Dec 6, 2013 ... read more Categories: Community, Schools, Holiday Christmas Parade Monday Dec 9, 2013 ... read more Categories: Festivals & Celebrations, Arts & Culture, Community, Schools, Chamber Of Commerce, Holiday, Clubs/Organizations One-to-One Small Business Counseling Wednesday Dec 11, 2013 small business counseling ... read more Categories: Chamber Of Commerce, Continuing Education Cathedrals of Winter Friday Dec 13, 2013 ... read more Categories: Arts & Culture, Community, Schools, Holiday DGI presents: Snacks with Santa Saturday Dec 14, 2013 ... read more Categories: Community Cathedrals of Winter Saturday Dec 14, 2013 ... read more Categories: Arts & Culture, Community, Schools, Holiday One-to-One Small Business Counseling Wednesday Dec 25, 2013 small business counseling ... read more Chamber 101 at the Gadsden Public Library Friday Dec 27, 2013 chamber master online training ... read more Categories: Chamber Of Commerce Register Online First Friday, Downtown Gadsden Friday Jan 3, 2014 ... read more Categories: Arts & Culture One-to-One Small Business Counseling Wednesday Jan 8, 2014 small business counseling ... read more Categories: Chamber Of Commerce, Continuing Education     Member Job Postings  YMCA of the Coosa Valley 100 Walnut Street   Gadsden, AL 35901-5253 Childcare Worker Category: Education Hiring for part-time Childcare worker. Must be experienced with all ages from 3 months-12 years. Physical activity is required picking up children and athletic activities. Also must be able to teach basic education skills to children. Other duties include: light housekeeping duties and organization skills. Must have good references and pass a background check. CPR certified a plus. Certification ...read more Contact: Send Email Phone:(256) 547-4947 MAP VISIT WEBSITE YMCA of the Coosa Valley 100 Walnut Street   Gadsden, AL 35901-5253 Part Time Custodian Category: Facilities, Maintenance, and Repair Part time position 20-30 hours a week, 4-6 hours a day on weekdays. Duties include cleaning the YMCA including locker rooms, bathrooms, lobby areas, buffing floors, and taking out trash. Would like someone with past custodial experience. Someone with electrical, HVAC, drywall repair, and/or plumbing experience a plus. Preferred availability early in the mornings (5am) or late evenings (8pm). ...read more Contact: LeRoy Falcon or Heidi Darbo Send Email Phone:(256) 547-4947 MAP Cornerstone Coffee, LLC 320 5th Avenue, NW   Attalla, AL 35954 Part Time Barista Category: Food Industry and Restaurants Cornerstone Coffee Shop is looking for an self starter part time barista with experience in coffee making. The individual needs to be a self-starter and able to work independently with good multitasking skills. The position requires a minimum 20 hour a week availability. Please apply within or contact Robert at 256-344-2359 or contact at info@cornerstonecoffee.com Contact: Send Email Phone:(256) 344-2359 MAP VISIT WEBSITE Old Havana Cigar 438 Chestnut Street   Gadsden, AL 35901 Sales Associate Category: Retail/Wholesale Old Havana Cigar is seeking qualified professionals to join our team. Our Sales Associates should demonstrate the following: - Enjoy connecting with customers and demonstrating an enthusiastic and positive attitude - Open to working in various capacities throughout the store, while engaging with different associates, customers, and managers - Ability to work as a team player in a fast-paced ...read more Contact: Jason Litton Send Email Phone:(256) 444-7291 MAP VISIT WEBSITE YMCA of the Coosa Valley 100 Walnut Street   Gadsden, AL 35901-5253 LIFEGUARDS Category: Sports and Recreation Year round positions available. Must be lifeguard certified. Early morning (5am) availability a plus. Must be available for shifts before 3pm. Must be reliable, focused, mature, and cool under pressure. Other duties include: cleaning and organizing pool deck, tracking numbers for pool classes, assisting Seniors or Disabled individuals entering the pool. Opportunity to grow by getting licensed to ...read more Contact: Send Email Phone:(256) 547-4947 MAP VISIT WEBSITE Prince Metal Stamping USA, Inc. 1108 Airport Industrial Drive   Gadsden, AL 35904-6201 Tool and Die Technician Category: Technicians TOOL & DIE TECHNICIAN * Requires 2-5 years experience in metal stamping dies (Progressive, Blanking, Tandem & Transfer dies) * Successful candidate must be familiar with common trouble shooting and repair methods of stamping dies * Experience welding common steel and tooling steel required * Ability to weld high strength steel, cast steel, and aluminum a plus * Ability to operate tool room ...read more Contact: Send Email Phone:(256) 413-0587 MAP VISIT WEBSITE Prince Metal Stamping USA, Inc. 1108 Airport Industrial Drive   Gadsden, AL 35904-6201 Robotics/ Automation Controls Category: Technicians ROBOTICS/ AUTOMATION CONTROLS * Minimum 3-5 years industrial automation experience focused on automation controls and robotics. * Experience with programming and troubleshooting six axis robots. (Kawasaki, ABB, Fanuc, etc.) * Experience with Medium Frequency DC welding (Medar Controls specifically is a plus). * Experience in programming, editing, and troubleshooting programmable controllers, ...read more