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How-to Sell Sell Sell 365 Days a Year: Make Everyday a Holiday


Story by exboyfriend Published on January 3, 2008 in How-To	Photo by Denim Advent Calendar by ebiko

Although retailers do the most business during the Christmas holiday season, it is important to keep in mind that gift giving is a 365-day-a-year activity. People always have occasion to indulge their loved ones and even themselves. As an internet retailer you can make this work for you because, in addition to gifts, people love convenience. In order to make your shop the place people go for every occasion it's important to be cognizant of the other events that take place throughout the year and stock your store accordingly.

A seller needn't resign herself to a slow trickle of sales once the Christmas rush is over, she should be preparing for the next big rush: Valentine's Day. As soon as people put their Christmas sweaters away the Valentine's Day pressure begins. "What do I get my sweetie?" is on everyone's mind. Shoot for Valentine's Day!

The internet retailer should be there to help and here's how:

First, stock up on products that are an appropriate fit for the holiday. If possible, offer products that are appropriate for men and women or even singles to give their other single friends as novelty gifts. Second, plan a press campaign in advance to get bloggers and magazine editors buzzing about how your product line is perfect for the occasion. Last and most importantly, include tags in your product descriptions that get you in the results when people search for Valentine's Day gifts. Sometimes a change in product line isn't even necessary, just the suggestion that an existing item makes a great Valentine's Day gift can improve sales. Featuring your Valentine's Day items on the front page of your virtual shop is also a good idea.

Think you're done come February 15th? Think again. You'll want to repeat the above process for each seasonal event. After Valentine's Day comes St. Patrick's Day, and then Mother's Day and Father's Day. Next comes graduation season and then wedding season which means bridal shower gifts, wedding gifts and anniversary gifts — not to mention the gifts brides and grooms have to get their bridesmaids and groomsmen. By summer's end it's time to turn your attention to back-to-school items and Halloween novelties. Before you know it, it will be Christmas again.

Remember that in addition to seasonal gift giving, people have to get gifts for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, new babies, housewarmings, thank yous, get well soon, congratulations, and just because they want to say "I love you" to some one in their lives. Maintaining a product line that serves all of these different occasions and using keywords that help shoppers find you is essential to making your shop the go-to place all year long.

Post in the comments below with dates on the calendar we forgot to mention! Try to match the occasion to the related items below!

Also, you should check out exboyfriend's previous How-tos on Internet Advertising.

Tags	calendars, holidays, HOW-TO, marketing, planning, promoting, seasons, Seller Handbook, selling

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49 comments Login to add your own!

Jan. 3, 2008 at 9 p.m.

tinaseamonster

yes! i agree with all of this even though i do not buy valentine's day gifts. i am working on my zombie valentines right now. :)

Jan. 3, 2008 at 11:24 p.m.

adorkable1

So true! I actually listed a few Valentines Day gifts today and already sold one! Yippee!!

Jan. 5, 2008 at 4:28 a.m.

SilverShadow

Very well done article. Excellent reminder!

Jan. 6, 2008 at 1:33 p.m.

Jep12

Great article - useful to remember.

Jan. 6, 2008 at 6:28 p.m.

heidiburton

Do you think many people celebrate Easter? I personally don't, but my aunty always sends me a card with eggs or bunnies or chicks on it. :)
Also there are the spring equinox and summer solstice in the next 6 months.

Jan. 6, 2008 at 9:43 p.m.

InfiniteCosmosGirl

awesome article! i know i sure buy lots after the holidays (especially here on etsy!). That's when you can find the deals!!! and thats when i have extra $$$ (from selling stuff during the holiday season).

Feb. 28, 2008 at 8:42 p.m.

raghousenternational

This is a great article. I will have to do some rethinking on gift ideas for all year round.

March 29, 2008 at 10:04 p.m.

homemadeart

Thanks for the great info. It always pays to have a plan. Why not treat your shop as if it were a big retailer and do what they do to stay in business all year round? It beats waiting around for sales to magically come rolling in!

May 11, 2008 at 5:47 p.m.

mustanggirlntn

Couldn't find the website I used to reference to but this one is as good. It has celebrations for almost everyday of the week. http://www.123greetings.com/events

Aug. 5, 2008 at 10:36 a.m.

fjonesart

Some great ideas. Halloween is just around the corner.

Aug. 10, 2008 at 9:01 a.m.

wickedchilddesigns

i'd like to do something halloween related - that is such a cool idea. lots of scary movies out there :)

Sept. 4, 2008 at 11:55 a.m.

tyedyekingofdyes

i enjoyed reading this very good info ............

Oct. 26, 2008 at 11:39 p.m.

dixiell

im just get started

Nov. 26, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.

worksandfinds

Very good info, thank you.

Nov. 26, 2008 at 3:01 p.m.

sweetcreekherbs

Whoo-hoo! :)

Dec. 5, 2008 at 7:14 p.m.

marielka

I love to made crochet for babies, is really nice.Come visit my site

Jan. 2, 2009 at 11:28 p.m.

prettygirlsboutique

Welcome to my pretty corner

Jan. 2, 2009 at 11:57 p.m.

TheMermaidsTreasures

Thanks so much for all of the good information!

Jan. 11, 2009 at 2:19 p.m.

nkolika

Great article..................I guess I need to get to work

Jan. 12, 2009 at 7:44 p.m.

1ForYou

Thank you so much for the great ideas. I'll have to put some thought into this and see what I come up with

Jan. 15, 2009 at 10:32 p.m.

Missif

Love is in the air.....Already!

Jan. 16, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.

CountryRoseCrafts

Great information! I am learning more everyday. Thanks Etsy!

Jan. 16, 2009 at 4:58 p.m.

etincelledesign

many thanks for the info (hmm, does this mean we should change tags to fit the holiday names ?)

Jan. 18, 2009 at 4:01 p.m.

ladybughunter

AWESOME article ! I'm just getting started so ...I need All the help I can get !! THANKS !

Jan. 18, 2009 at 6:32 p.m.

VirtuousCreations

Great info.
Thanks a lot.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 3:40 p.m.

SusysBibs

Good ideas re. forward thinking. How about Thanksgiving? Inaugural items seem to be big now too. Some items lend themselves better than others to seasonal themes or events. I'm working on it.

Jan. 27, 2009 at 12:06 p.m.

dpaone

Mardi Gras! Coming up soon too! February 24, you can be marketing this now.
I have unique handmade Mardi Gras masks, pins and king cake brooches in my shop.

Jan. 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.

thesmilingfoxstudio

Fascinating article. Promotion is a bit of a blind spot for me, so any help I can get is gratefully received!

Jan. 29, 2009 at 3:31 a.m.

thecottagecupboard

this makes a lot of sense.Got to get going for all season stuff.Thnks

Feb. 5, 2009 at 2:19 p.m.

floresdelsol

thanks for the advice. im working on it :)

Feb. 13, 2009 at 10:20 p.m.

JeanieBeeandCompany

Thanks for the tips. Gotta get busy and start thinking ahead more.

Feb. 16, 2009 at 9:37 p.m.

DodgeStationPottery

hey everyone... All GREAT ideas!!! I just, just joined, so question-how do I get the word out there around Etsy. Say if I have a new v-day listing, or st patties, or easter...is there one central forum or shopping area where i should say, 'check out this new product?'
Thanks!

Feb. 28, 2009 at 6:46 p.m.