Introduction

The holidays can feel like an endless race for attention, especially for service-based businesses. When the noise is loud and everyone seems focused on selling, it’s easy to feel like you’re getting drowned out.

But here’s the thing: The holidays aren’t just about quick sales—they’re about connection, reflection, and setting intentions for the future.

In this episode of The Disruptor, I’m sharing actionable holiday marketing strategies tailored specifically for service-based businesses—whether you’re a coach, consultant, creative, or agency owner. If you want your brand to be more than just seen, but remembered, these strategies are for you.

1. Why the Holidays Are a Unique Opportunity for Service-Based Businesses

Unlike product-based businesses that focus on quick discounts and one-off sales, service-based brands can tap into a longer-term value mindset.

During the holidays, people are:

• Reflecting on the year they’ve had.
• Setting goals for what they want to accomplish next year.
• Ready to invest in personal growth, professional development, and solutions that set them up for success.

Your job? Show them that your service is exactly what they need to move forward.

2. Creative Holiday Marketing Strategies That Work

Here are five creative, actionable ways to stand out this holiday season as a service-based business:

1. Limited-Time Holiday Bundles

People love bundles during the holidays because they feel like high-value opportunities. For service providers, this could mean:

• Pairing a strategy session with follow-up support in January or February.
• Creating “New Year, New Strategy” packages for B2B clients.
• Collaborating with aligned business owners to bundle complementary services.

Example: A brand strategist might bundle a brand audit with a follow-up messaging framework for the new year.

2. Free or Discounted Consultations and Audits

Offering quick-win consultations allows potential clients to experience your expertise with low commitment. These sessions often turn into long-term client relationships.

• Offer a 15–20-minute audit focused on a specific area of their business (e.g., their website, content strategy, or financial setup).
• Make it feel urgent and valuable—frame it as a way to hit the ground running in the new year.

Pro Tip: I’ve seen my own free 20-minute audits turn into paying clients 9 out of 10 times because they deliver immediate value.

3. Gift Certificates for Your Services

Gift certificates aren’t just for product-based businesses—they can work for you too. Offer:

• A coaching session as a gift for a colleague or friend.
• A website audit or resume review that someone can gift to someone they care about.

Gift certificates are perfect for audiences who value giving experiences or long-term results over material gifts.

4. Seasonal Content and Countdowns

Engage your audience with a holiday countdown or challenge:

• Create “12 Days of Tips” that provide actionable advice.
• Share one holiday productivity or wellness tip each day via email or social media.
• Offer value-packed micro-lessons or prompts to keep your audience engaged and inspired.

This keeps you top-of-mind during the busy season and positions you as the expert they need going into the new year.

5. Seasonal Promotions Inspired by Winning Campaigns

Take inspiration from successful campaigns that have resonated in past years:

• Headspace: Their “New Year, New You” campaign focused on mental clarity with free resources and discounted subscriptions.
• Masterclass: Their “Buy One, Gift One” campaign turned a self-purchase into a thoughtful gift.
• LinkedIn Learning: They tapped into the professional growth mindset by promoting skill-building courses for the new year.
• Noom: Their campaign focused on habit-building, offering free trials framed as “a commitment to yourself.”

What can you adapt for your audience?

3. What’s Trending in Holiday Marketing for Service Providers?

Here are the trends I predict will dominate holiday marketing this season and beyond:

1. Personalized Services

Clients are craving solutions that feel tailored to them. Think audits, 1:1 planning sessions, and custom strategies that meet their unique goals.

Takeaway: Personalization is a key differentiator—clients want to feel seen, heard, and valued.

2. Flexible Payment Plans

With the economy top of mind, flexible payments like split plans or “buy now, pay later” make higher-end services more accessible.

Tools like ThriveCart and Dubsado now integrate with payment platforms like Affirm and Afterpay so clients can make payments over time.

Takeaway: Removing financial friction increases trust and makes investing in your services feel easier.

3. Wellness and Work-Life Balance

Balance and well-being are on everyone’s minds this season. If your services contribute to a sense of harmony, highlight it in your messaging.

Ask yourself: How can you tweak your delivery model to make it feel easier, lighter, and more balanced for your clients?

4. Holiday Social Media and Email Ideas

To stay top-of-mind this season, try these strategies for social media and email marketing:

• Run a Challenge: Host a 12-day or 30-day challenge that helps your audience set goals, build habits, or review the past year.
• Share Success Stories: Showcase testimonials and highlight the clients you’ve helped this year.
• Seasonal Tips: Share advice on managing stress, setting goals, or staying productive—tailored to your expertise.
• Host a Live Session: Walk your audience through a “year-in-review” or planning workshop for the new year.

These strategies help you connect, deliver value, and position yourself as the go-to expert for 2025.

5. Keep Momentum Going After the Holidays

The new year isn’t the end of your holiday marketing—it’s the beginning of what’s next.

• Follow up with clients who engaged with your holiday promotions.
• Launch a post-holiday email campaign that nurtures clients into taking action in January.
• Offer continued support to help clients stay on track with their new year goals.

January is the perfect time to retain clients, nurture leads, and turn seasonal momentum into sustainable success.

Conclusion

The holiday season is a chance to connect, build trust, and show your audience why you’re the only choice as they plan for the new year.

Whether you’re bundling services, running a challenge, or offering personalized solutions, remember this: The businesses that stand out are the ones that deliver value, connect authentically, and inspire action.

Ready to make your brand unmissable this season? Let’s work together—book a free 20-minute brand audit here →