6 Ways to Snag Last-Minute Shoppers For Small Business Season

December 27, 2024

Turn Panic into Profit


The holiday rush is on, and while many shoppers are organized and planned, there's always a wave of last-minute buyers scrambling for gifts. This is your chance to shine and make some last-minute sales before the new year!



You have a few critical days to capture those frantic shoppers and boost your end-of-year sales.


Capitalize on the Small Business Win


Amazon and other online stores may be able to get items to your doorstep almost quicker than you can find a parking place at the mall these days, but at some point, they’re limited by distance. Late into December shippers simply can’t meet the holiday deadline. There’s an ordering cut-off for Christmas deliveries.


That’s where local businesses can shine. You have items that are available now. But availability alone won’t drive sales. You need to ensure people know about what you have to offer.


Here’s how you can appeal to those anxious last-minute shoppers:


Highlight Express Options & Deadlines


Flexibility is key at the last-minute. People often don’t have time to stroll through a store. They want the convenience of shopping online.


Promote online ordering with in-store pickup. It's the ultimate last-minute solution. Make sure this option is clear on your website, social media, and even Google My Business profile. If you offer local delivery, make sure you talk that up too.


For businesses without an online store, post images of popular items along with their prices on your website and social media. Encourage people to order by phone, Messenger, or email.


You can also sell through some social media platforms without an e-commerce site. However, adding a shopping feature to your website is something that should be on top of your list to get done in the new year. People want to buy on their schedule. An online store allows them to do that.


Create a Sense of Urgency (Without the Pressure):


While most people know when the big day is, adding a countdown clock to your website and social media posts emphasizes the dwindling time. Make sure those social media posts (and your website) display your store hours prominently. Don’t get potential customers interested and then make them search to find out if you’re open or not.


If you’re running low on a popular item, post low stock alerts such as "Only 3 left!" These magic words can spur immediate action. It also can convince people to buy something they hadn’t considered because that alert serves as social proof on the gift’s popularity.


Host a flash sale. Short, intense bursts of discounts create excitement and drive quick purchases. If you post them solely on social media and inform people of that, flash sales will also encourage follows.


If flash sales aren’t your thing, consider hosting a Midnight Sale the day before Christmas Eve or a similar attention-grabbing extension of your hours. Make it a party at your business.


Remember, for these ideas to be effective, you need to ensure people know about them.


Make Gift Buying a Breeze


Last-minute shoppers often are paralyzed by inaction. “Waiting for ideas” is a common reason people put off shopping. Curated gift guides such as "Gifts for Him," "Gifts for the Techie," etc., can help shoppers quickly find what they need and be spurred into action.


Another helpful tactic is to take the guesswork out of gifting with a "Bestsellers" list of the most popular items in your business and share it on social.


Finally, offering gift wrapping services can be a lifesaver for time-crunched shoppers! If you don’t have the manpower for giftwrapping, pack each purchase in a nice shopping bag and throw in some pretty tissue paper.


Extend Your Hours (If Possible)


One of the reasons people often choose box stores over local ones is because they know the chains will be open. That’s the biggest impediment to your last-minute sales. To secure those last-minute shopper dollars, you should consider staying open later in the evenings and on weekend leading up to the holiday. Again, make sure you publicize this so people will shop with you.


Don't Forget the Gift Cards!


Gift cards are the ultimate last-minute solution. If you offer digital gift cards, that’s even better as they can be delivered instantly via email. (If you don’t currently have this technology, look into it before the next big sales season. People enjoy the convenience. Plus, it will help you capture a larger market—those who don’t live nearby.)


Additionally, feature gift cards on your homepage and in your navigation menu. Don’t take last-minute shoppers on a hunt for these items. Display them prominently. You can also offer last-minute bonus incentives such as "Buy a $50 gift card, get a $10 bonus card."


Again, none of this works if you don’t get the word out.


Here’s how you can make sure last-minute buyers know what you’re offering.


Master the Digital Marketing Blitz


In the last few days leading up to the big day you can’t market and post enough. Some of the activities you should consider include:


  • Focus on location-based targeting to reach local shoppers.
  • Send out emails with subject lines like "Don't Panic! Last-Minute Gift Ideas" or "Still Time to Shop!"
  • Reengage those who browsed your site but didn't buy through ads, texts, or emails featuring your best last-minute deals.

Finally, put yourself in the shoes of your last-minute shoppers. What do they need? How are they feeling? What can you do to help them come up with a quick and affordable solution?


If you market with this in mind, you will be their hero, and they can shine in the eyes of their recipient. Because even though people put off shopping until the last-minute, they don’t want it to look like they did.

The 48-Hour Rule: Turning Business Ideas into Reality

January 26, 2026
Small business owners are usually not short on ideas. You have them in the shower, in the car, halfway through a client call, and even in the middle of the night. Ideas for a new service. A better way to onboard customers. A partnership you should pursue. A social post series that would actually sound like you. No, the problem is not creativity. The problem is action. Most good ideas don’t die because they were bad. They die because they never get translated into a next step while they’re still exciting. That’s why you need the 48-Hour Rule. The rule is simple: If an idea doesn’t have a next action plotted and scheduled within 48 hours, it’s not a plan. It’s entertainment. This is not a judgment on your executing abilities. It’s your business. The urgent pulls harder than the important. And once an idea slips behind payroll, customer emails, and the Tuesday fire drill, it rarely climbs back out. So, let’s talk about how to make the 48-Hour Rule work in real life with time limits. Why 48 Hours Works (And “Someday” Doesn’t) A new idea creates a burst of clarity. You can see the path. You can picture the result. You feel a little lighter because you’ve imagined a better version of your business. But clarity fades fast. In 48 hours, two things happen: Reality returns. Your current workload reasserts itself or you start doubting your abilities, your team’s abilities, your customer’s interests, or any other number of things that begin to cause… The idea starts to feel bigger than it is. You forget the simple version and only remember the “perfect” version. This becomes next to impossible to put into action. The 48-Hour Rule protects your idea from both. It forces you to do one thing before the moment passes: choose the next action . Not the whole plan. Not the branding. Not the full rollout. Just the next action. The Difference Between an Idea and a Next Action An idea is fun, creative, exciting, while a next action is specific, physical, and schedulable. It’s something you can do without needing another meeting with yourself. Shy away from your action being “research.” It’s easy to get lost in it with little to show. Here are examples: Idea: “We should improve customer follow-up.” Next action: “Draft a two-email follow-up template and save it in the CRM.” Idea: “We should partner with another business.” Next action: “Write one partnership pitch email and send it to two businesses by Friday.” Idea: “We should raise prices.” Next action: “List top 10 services, current prices, and margins in a spreadsheet by Thursday at 10 a.m.” If you can’t schedule it, it’s not a next action. How to Implement the 48-Hour Rule Without Blowing up Your Week If you’re excited about your new idea, get something scheduled, even during a busy week. Try this: Step 1: Capture the idea in one sentence. Not five paragraphs. One sentence. Put it in a running note on your phone or a single “Idea Parking Lot” document. Step 2: Write the smallest next action. Ask: “What’s the first move that would make this 5% more real?” Step 3: Schedule it inside the next 48 hours. Not “this week.” Not “soon.” Put a 15–30-minute block on your calendar. Treat it like a client meeting. Because it is. Your future revenue is sitting in the lobby. Step 4: Give it a finish line. The goal of that block is not perfection. It’s progress you can point to. A draft. A message sent. A decision made. A file created. The “Two-Track” Trick for Busy Seasons If you’re in a truly slammed stretch, use this adjustment: you only have to schedule one of two things within 48 hours : The next action or A decision to deliberately defer it (with a date) That second option matters. Because “not now” can be a smart business decision. If you can’t do the action, schedule a 10-minute decision block: “Do we pursue this in Q1 or not?” That keeps you moving. What This Looks Like Over Time The magic of the 48-Hour Rule isn’t that every idea becomes a big initiative. Instead, your business becomes a place where ideas get handled, not hoarded. You’ll start to notice: Fewer loose ends rattling around in your brain Faster follow-through (which customers feel immediately) More momentum inside your team Better instincts about what’s worth doing, because you’re testing ideas in small bites Action compounds in the way that matters reducing chaos and increasing innovation. A Simple Challenge for This Week Pick one idea you’ve been sitting on. Just one. Write the next action. Schedule 20 minutes for it in the next 48 hours. Then do it. That’s how businesses grow—small, consistent moments of follow-through. Ask the Chamber If you’re thinking, “I have ideas, but I need the right people, resources, or a push,” you’re not alone. That’s exactly what a chamber of commerce is built for: turning good intentions into traction. Use your chamber for the kind of next actions that matter: Ask them to make an introduction that leads to a partnership or something specific you need Attend one event and meet your next vendor or client Join one committee and get closer to decision-makers Ask one question and get practical insight from business owners who’ve been there Your idea may be game changing, but you won’t know until you execute. You may not have time to get it completely worked out and implemented, but you do have time to start with a 20-minute next step. Try the 48-Hour Rule this week. Then let your chamber help you turn that first step into a path. Read More: Embracing Imperfection to Strengthen Your Business How Small Businesses Can Lead Innovation How to Make Time for Innovation Revenue Without Regret: Designing Offers You're Proud to Sell Scaling Your Impact: From Dore to Delegator to Developer  -------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinametcalf5

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How to Verify the Accuracy of an Applicant's Resume

January 13, 2026
75% of hiring managers have encountered lies on resumes, posing a challenge to the trustworthiness of applicant qualifications. Pruning outdated or irrelevant job experiences from resumes can help applicants highlight their most recent and pertinent skills. Checking for employment gaps can uncover important character traits or red flags, such as incarceration, which can be further explored through background checks. Up to 85% of job seekers admit to lying on resumes about aspects like job duties and skills, making independent verification crucial. Handling discovered resume discrepancies with professionalism and aligning hiring decisions with organizational values are key. Investing in thorough verification processes, despite initial costs, is essential for reducing long-term expenses related to unproductive wages, training, and turnover. 554 words ~ 2.5 min. read In today's job market, it's quite common for applicants to exaggerate on their resumes. A surprising find by CareerBuilder shows that 75% of hiring managers have spotted lies on resumes. This highlights a big problem in hiring - how can employers trust what's on a resume? With the honesty of candidate qualifications on the line, it's important for hiring managers to find reliable ways to check the accuracy of resumes to make good hiring decisions. Read on to discover three strategies to help you fast-track the fact-checking process. Prune Old Jobs Pruning old jobs simply means removing any outdated or irrelevant information. For example, if an applicant lists a job that they held 10 years ago and haven't worked in that field since, there's a good chance their skills are no longer up-to-date. The hiring platform Indeed reminds job hopefuls to prioritize their most recent and relevant experience , so including historical work experience may also signal a lack of confidence in applying for an intended position. Check for Gaps Another way to verify the accuracy of an applicant's resume is to check for gaps. This means looking for any periods of time where there is no employment listed. These gaps could be due to a variety of reasons, such as taking time off to raise a family or going back to school. However, they could also be due to something less savory, such as incarceration. Including a background check will reveal gaps due to jail time but also other important things you may want to know like criminal arrest records or driving history. Resume gaps aren’t always a bad thing, of course. They may reveal an applicant’s character or important values, with gaps devoted to honing their leadership skills through volunteering for schools or charitable organizations. What you do with your understanding of these blank spaces is what’s important — use them to weed out applicants or to ascertain if a candidate is a value match during the interview process. Fact-Check Claims According to Good Hire up to 85% of job seekers have admitted to lying on their resume. What are they lying about? Most often, dishonest claims relate to job duties, work experience, and job skills. While it may be easy to verify if an applicant has indeed graduated from Harvard or won Teacher of the Year, it can take much more time and resources to fact check work history and job duties. For that reason, many employers rely on independent recruiters and agencies to verify resume details. What should you do if you discover something that doesn’t check out? When hiring managers spot a lie on a resume, it's important to handle it with care and professionalism. First, double-check the facts to avoid any misunderstandings. If the lie is real, talk to the applicant about it and listen to their side of the story. Then, based on how serious the lie is, decide if you still want to consider the candidate. In the end, your decision should align with your organization’s values. If you do hire someone and later discover the lie, experts recommend confronting the employee to learn more. If you want to terminate the employee, get legal counsel first. Takeaway Devoting time and resources to outside services will increase your hiring costs upfront. However, when you factor in the price tag for unproductive wages, in addition to training, firing, and rehiring costs, investing in a thorough verification process becomes a vital hiring and retention strategy. Read More: 10 Ways to Get the Most from your Chamber Membership Hiring in a Tight Market: Your Local Playbook for Finding and Keeping Great People The New Employee Benefit Everyone is Talking About The Power of 'Entry Interviews' and 'Stay Interviews' Strategies for Improving Employee Retention in Small Businesses --- The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.