Holiday time is the perfect time to build loyalty and customer connection with…
a holiday photo of your staff.
Yes, indeed, I am suggesting something so outre, so old-fashioned, so out-of-step-with-today’s-world that
your shop will shine
with good wishes, nostalgic reminiscences, and just plain good will. Not to mention that: When was the last time you got holiday wishes from a business that were just that: good wishes, not a coupon, not a sales spiel, not a come-on to get them in to spend money. Believe me, your holiday greeting photo card will
amaze, astound, and bring tears of joy to your customers’ eyes.
Well, I’m probably overstating. But it’s a sure way to stand out from that dreaded Sea of Sameness in the resale industry. Here’s some photo ideas that might be just the thing for your business:
First up, the photo that started me researching all this for you. Now, your staff probably aren’t into forehead-kissing but I’ll bet they’d look smashing in the dusk, draped in lights… against your store front sign…
Source: haleysheffield.com via Kate on Pinterest
Line ’em up. Add holiday-themed sunglasses. Perfect for a tongue-in-chic and/or vintage resale shop.
Source: gloryboox.tumblr.com via Jill on Pinterest
More kissy-face. But your crew could just be arm-in-arm with your shop’s storefront in the background.
Source: abryanphoto.com via Kate on Pinterest
Can’t get everyone in one place at one time? Do a collage of them all against the same backdrop.
Source: puttingmetogether.com via Jennifer on Pinterest
Sure, this idea has kids in it… but aren’t we all kids at heart? Let your staff PLAY! (Make flag bunting behind with your shop name… I don’t have to actually TELL you that, do I?)
Source: blog.hwtm.com via HowToConsign.com Consignment on Pinterest
Perhaps it would be better, in your marketplace, to send Thanksgiving or New Year’s wishes. That works too. Examples:
,
The staff of Fireweed in Alaska created this photo, suitable for any time of year.
And from Illinois, Your Best Friend’s Closet staff in their dressing rooms:
Which brings me to this PS: Since everyone’s there already, do a non-holiday photo (or 3) as well. Switch out props, change clothes, whatever, to make a non-seasonal photo. Here’s one of my favorites from years ago, from a friend’s shop on the West Coast:
Soon, we’ll have a Too Good to be Threw Product for the Professional Resaler all about creating simple
staff, shop, interior and exterior photos
that will make your site, your blog, your business card and your Facebook albums. Watch for it. If you’re afraid you’ll forget, just sign up for email updates in the right-hand column on this page; I’ll let you know when it’s ready!
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
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We have send Christmas cards every year we’ve been open. Our customers have thanked us and said they were pleasantly surprised! I have thought this year about sending some out at Thanksgiving too…breaking up the numbers and stress of mailing them all out!!
Great Linda… I’d suggest that you send them ALL right before Thanksgiving. Why? Because not only do you want to wish those on your list Merry Christmas, but also because
you want to remind them, simply with your good wishes, that they can shop YOUR place for the holidays, not just the “real” stores.
If your card arrives say Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, that also may lead to their bringing house guests in on Thanksgiving Friday, which is a good thing.
And your card arriving as “the first of the season” gets more attention from them…
and finally, people have more time to actually enjoy receiving your card then, rather than later in the season when your good wishes may get overlooked in the hurly-burly.
(And finally, don’t forget, some folks do not celebrate Christmas or have sad memories surfacing then. Thanksgiving is usually less emotion-laden, don’t you agree?)