10 Smart Tips for Growing Wholesale Sales During the Holiday Season

10 Smart Tips for Growing Wholesale Sales During the Holiday SeasonYour Go-To Guide for Handmade Sellers 🎄

While most people start thinking about the holidays around late November, we makers know the real hustle starts much earlier. The holiday season is like the Super Bowl for handmade sellers—it’s the perfect opportunity to boost sales, particularly wholesale sales, and get your brand into more stores. But let's be real: the season can also be incredibly overwhelming. You don't want to oversell and underdeliver or stretch yourself too thin.

Think of this guide as your ultimate holiday prep cheat sheet. It's designed to help you maximize wholesale sales without losing your sanity. These tips are for any maker trying to grow their business during the holiday season. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned seller, these pointers, based on years of experience, will help you navigate the holiday craziness smoothly. So, grab a cup of cocoa, settle in, and let's holiday prep.

1. Prepare Your Personal Life

The holidays are hectic, especially when juggling retail orders, wholesale orders, holiday markets, and production all at once. You don't want to add unnecessary stress to your plate. Set expectations with yourself and your loved ones to keep things as simple as possible. Limit extra commitments that aren't directly related to your business during these peak 4-6 weeks. Remember, it's a short burst of craziness, and things will return to normal soon.

2. Get the Help You Need—Early

Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to seek help. Whether it's skilled hourly workers, friends on standby, or a part-time assistant, now is the time to line up your support team. You can approach this flexibly, too—tell helpers they might be needed for 2 or 22 hours. The key is to have people “on-call” so you're not left scrambling when orders start piling up.

3. Love the Ones You’re With

It's easy to focus on acquiring new wholesale customers, but don't neglect your existing stockists. A simple check-in or update can remind them to reorder your items for the holidays. Make a list of your current retailers, consider who might benefit from a personalized check-in, and schedule it. This way, you're nurturing relationships and maximizing reorders. The magic is in the follow up. 🌟

4. Focus on Your Best Sellers

Store owners often look for standout pieces that make their shops unique. While having a well-rounded line is great, the holiday season is the time to double down on your top-selling items and what makes you distinctive. Make it easy for retailers to identify those must-have products that will make their customers swoon.

5. Spruce Up Your Outreach Materials

Before the holiday rush, take some time to review your line sheet, product photography, and email templates. See them with fresh eyes or get feedback from someone else. Improving these materials, even in small ways, can significantly impact your chances of getting noticed by potential stockists.

6. Connect with Stores That Will Love Your Work

Find stores that are such a perfect fit that it's almost a no-brainer for them to carry your line. Once you've identified them, reach out showing why your products would be a great addition to their shop. Make it easy for them to say "yes" by clearly showing how your line fits in, especially for the holiday season. Make it easy for them to order with a "Starter" collection that includes several of each of your bestsellers. Stores are busy; so make it easy for them to place an itital order.

7. Plan Ahead and Make a Strategy

Start your outreach and planning much earlier than you think is necessary. The earlier you start, the better your results will be, and the less stressed you'll feel. Fear often causes us to delay, but if you can get ahead of it, your efforts will pay off much more. Make a plan now and take it step-by-step.

8. Launch New Products Before the Holidays

If you’ve been sitting on a new product idea, now is the time to bring it to life. A pre-holiday launch can create buzz and draw attention to your brand. Just make sure it doesn't distract you from your main sales and marketing efforts.

9. Tailor Your Strategy to Your Business Stage

Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned seller, your strategy should fit where you are in your business journey. If you're new, focus on connecting with stores and nailing down the basics. If you have more experience, lean into what worked last year and streamline your processes for even better results.

10. Offer Limited-Time Wholesale Deals

To encourage retailers to place orders before the holiday rush, consider offering special limited-time deals exclusively for wholesale customers. Whether it’s a small discount, free shipping, or a bonus product for larger orders, giving retailers a little nudge with a time-sensitive offer can help you lock in those holiday sales early.

Call Out: Don't wait until the last minute to plan for holiday wholesale success. Start early, get organized, and make this your best season yet! 🎄

Question for You:

What’s your go-to strategy for boosting wholesale sales during the holidays? Share your tips in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!

By taking these steps now, you’ll be better prepared to handle the holiday chaos, boost your sales, and end the season on a high note. Remem