The holidays are here, and while it’s a great time to relax, it’s also the last chance to get any revenue into the business before the end of the year. Special holiday hours and days off mean less time for pet parents to come to your clinic and pay for treatments, goods, and medication, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit back and take it. We have some simple ways to get people in the door and add some life to your clinic during the holidays! It’s not all about revenue – it’s also essential to bring a sense of family and togetherness with your clients during the holidays, and these tips can help. These inexpensive marketing ideas can help your veterinary hospital stay busy during slow times.
Update and promote your holiday hours!
Make sure that visitors to your website, people Googling your clinic, or stopping by the clinic understand your holiday schedule through November and early January. This will allow them to plan accordingly and perhaps will drive them to get in before the holiday off-time. There is nothing worse than showing up to a business that is closed early for the holidays after its website and social media pages have incorrect information.
WhiskerCloud clients, please email your holiday hours to our support team at digital@whiskercloud.com. We will ensure your online presence is completely updated.
Set up a holiday display or photo op for your clients and patients at your veterinary clinic.
Whether it’s “photos with Santa” or a special “holiday baked goods for pets night,” getting creative to get your clients in the door will help strengthen the bond you share with them. If you don’t have space, partner with restaurants, pet stores, or other neighborhood businesses that would love to join you in spreading some holiday cheer. Even if you don’t invite clients to the clinic, decorate and post photos to social media. Have a contest or informal poll to see which decorations clients like best and would enjoy the most when visiting.
We understand that this may be difficult during a pandemic, but veterinary individuals are some of the most creative people on Earth. Setting up some curbside fun may be a great way to ease some of the pandemic tensions that veterinary hospitals have been dealing with recently.
Develop special holiday offers on veterinary care and supplies.
End the year with a bang with special offers that pet parents will love. Reminder: sales only work if it’s something that clients want. Meaning – 10-15% off a dental cleaning, buy six get two free on common heartworm protection, or a free nail trim with a wellness exam to get people in the door. Make sure your offers are meaningful and helpful in driving people to the clinic. When considering offers, ask yourself, “would I make an appointment to take advantage of this offer?“
If you offer boarding or grooming, promote these offerings on your website and social media so you can fill up the schedule well before the holidays arrive. If you want to increase client numbers for boarding and grooming, take advantage of WhiskerCloud’s advertising platform and target people actively searching for “pet grooming” and “pet boarding” in your area.
Give a gift or treat with a purchase.
Children all over the world wait in line to visit Santa and usually get a chance to tell him what they want, and they even walk away with a candy cane! Why not leave each patient with a holiday treat after they come to visit you? Crack open a bag of treats or place an order for a special gift – make sure each patient leaves with a smile! We think your clients will love it, too. Curbside care during a pandemic offers higher tensions and more anxiety, but a special surprise for the patient on their way back to the car will surely bring a smile to their faces.
Partner up and do some good!
Whether you collect food and blankets for a local animal shelter in need of supplies or help less fortunate families during the holidays – doing some good can help strengthen the bond with your community. Now’s the time to reach out to local shelters and non-profits supporting humans and animals to find out how you can help. Get your clients involved and do some good over the holidays together. WhiskerCloud’s social media team can help you catalog the event and tell the entire story on your website and social media pages.
The holidays are for spreading cheer and joy – and you can do that in your clinic with little to no effort. Need additional ideas or help? The WhiskerCloud team is here for you. Don’t hesitate to email us at digital@whiskercloud.com if you need some inspiration.
Happy holidays from all of us at WhiskerCloud!
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