Did You or Didn’t You … Change Your Marketing for the Holidays?

Yes, I Did

I maintained my budget and got a little more aggressive with both newspaper ads and billboards. — Gene Poole; Hudson-Poole Jewelers, Tuscaloosa, AL

I dropped my local newspaper. They are getting too expensive and I perceive very little benefit from the money I was spending there. We did direct mail to our list and signed up for shopping-cart ads too. — Julia Newton; Julia Newton Jewelry, Wilson, NC

The local paper offered reduced rates on ads, so we took advantage. — Brian Stubblefield; Hendersonville Jewelers, Hendersonville, TN

Got a website, started promoting by corporate sponsorship of the local NPR classical music station, made a donation of a ring to the annual Duke Children’s Hospital fund-raiser. — David Phelps; Precision Platinum, Durham, NC

We increased our marketing efforts, specifically with network and cable TV to reach a greater more diversified market than with our traditional print-dominated efforts. We were surprised at how many customers commented on our commercial during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — money well spent. — J. Dennis Petimezas; Watchmakers Diamonds and Jewelry, Johnstown, PA

We did an invitation-only sale two Sundays before Thanksgiving — wine and cheese, short hours, 50 percent off most everything in inventory. In spite of a 12-inch snowfall, we had record sales. — Lonnie Marcus; Castle Rock Jewelers, Castle Rock, CO

I sent out free gift cards to about 350 of my best customers, but I did not do a large mailing to all of my mailing list. — Valeria Savvenas; Manoli’s Jewelers, Springfield, MO

We hit social networking and the Internet as our main source of advertising. — Joel Wiland; J. David’s Jewelry, Broken Arrow, OK

We used a weather “snow” promotion to stand out from the word “sale.” — Jeff Vierk; Vierk’s Fine Jewelry, Lafayette, IN

We softened ads to be more appropriate to smaller ticket items and family values. — Janice A. Niebauer; Ralph Miller Jewelers & Gallery, Erie, PA

Almost all of our client contacts are now e-mails or phone calls. We still mail out thank-you cards, but that is about all that we put in the mail. — Phred Hall; PhDiamonds, Capitola, CA

I now carry 1,000 items under $100 — SteelX, Hershey Kiss and Off the Cuff bracelets. I sent out 22,000 fliers into nine neighboring towns. — Cathy Grad; Caffray Jewelers, Hinsdale, IL

No, I Didn’t

What I did in 2008 worked so I figured if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. — Chris Snowden; Snowden’s Jewelers, Wilmington, NC

I did not change because the previous three years were tough. I’m still just working the best price and great service. — Ray Chylewski; Hope Diamonds, Rocklin, CA

I am not big on strategy stuff. I just do my best to sell every customer that walks in. — Steve Stempinski; Steve’s Place, Madison, GA

Not a lot of capital to put into advertising. — Janet L. La Paz; Genesis Jewelry & Art Gallery, Greenfield, WI

It worked last year, doing it again this year. — Zdena Jiroutova; Z Folio Gallery, Solvang, CA