Holiday Marketing for Cody – Start Thriving as a Community Cornerstone

Summer tourism is coming to an end, the Yellowstone crowds will be headed home, and you’re staring down another long Wyoming winter wondering how to keep your business alive until May.

We all know the drill. We make our money when the tourists are here, then spend the off-season trying to stretch those earnings while figuring out how to stay relevant to the locals who actually stay here year-round.

The good news is that you don’t need a massive marketing budget or fancy campaigns to survive the winter. You just need to stop thinking like a summer tourist business and start thinking like the community cornerstone that you actually are.

Start Serving Cody

While others rely on paid ads and big marketing budgets to generate revenue, you’ve got something they’ll never have: you’re part of this community. Your customers aren’t just transactions – they’re your neighbors, your kids’ teachers, the people you see at the grocery store. That’s not a limitation. That’s your superpower.

How You Can Help Your Community

Forget generic “holiday sales.” Your neighbors are dealing with:

• Limited shopping options without driving to Billings
• Tight budgets after the summer spending season
• Cabin fever from being stuck indoors during Wyoming winters
• Supporting local because they know you personally

Your job isn’t to compete with Amazon. It’s to solve problems Amazon can’t.

For Restaurants & Cafes

Stop pushing “holiday specials” and start offering “winter survival mode.” Market that hearty comfort food, reliable WiFi for remote workers, and warm gathering spaces when it’s -20 outside. The locals need a place to escape their houses.

You Could Try This: “Winter isolation driving you crazy? Pop on in and say “hey”, warm up with our soup special, and don’t be a stranger!”

For Retail & Gift Shops

You can’t beat online prices, but you can beat online experience. Offer gift wrapping, local delivery, and the ability to actually touch products before buying. Market convenience, not competition.
You Could Try This: “Amazon can’t give you the VIP treatment like we can! Stop in for our in-store deals PLUS we might be able to give you some gift suggestions for your spouse.”

For Service Businesses

Winter is when locals finally have time to tackle those projects they’ve been putting off all summer. Market to that mindset.
You Could Try This: “Now that tourist season’s over, let’s get your [project/service] sorted before spring hits.”

Wyoming’s Winter Marketing Strategy

Embrace the Local: Stop trying to attract tourists who aren’t coming. Focus on the people who live here year-round. They’re the ones who’ll keep you afloat AND be your best advocates when summer returns.

Think Community, Not Competition: Partner with other local businesses. Cross-promote. The business that helps another business succeed is the business that builds long-term loyalty. I’ve seen a few local places do this and everyone appreciates it!

Market Warmth, Not Products: Your customers aren’t just buying your product or service – they’re buying relief from their problems, support for their local economy, and connection with their community.

Social Media That Actually Works Out Here

Skip the AI graphics and viral trends. Post like you’re talking to your neighbor – because you are.
What Works:

• Behind-the-scenes shots of your daily operations
• Shout-outs to other local businesses you support
• Real stories about how you’ve helped local customers
• Updates about what’s actually happening in your business

What Doesn’t:

• Generic “Happy Holidays” posts with stock photos
• Constant sale announcements
• Anything that could have been posted by any business anywhere

The Network Effect

In this town, word-of-mouth is still powerful. One happy customer tells five neighbors. One unhappy customer tells fifty…. or everyone in the Facebook group. Your holiday marketing strategy should focus on creating positive experiences worth talking about, not just desperate transactions.

Your Winter Survival Checklist

🗸 Update your Google Business listing with accurate winter hours and services
🗸 Create content that acknowledges the reality of Wyoming winters
🗸 Partner with other local businesses for cross-promotion
🗸 Focus on solving actual local problems, not generic holiday shopping
🗸 Be visible in the community – sponsor local events, support school fundraisers
🗸 Communicate consistently through local Facebook groups and word-of-mouth

You didn’t start your business to compete with Walmart or Amazon. You started it to serve your community and build something meaningful in Cody.

This winter, lean into that. Be the business that understands what it’s like to live here year-round. Be the business that makes Wyoming winters a little more bearable. Your neighbors will remember who was there for them when it matters most. That loyalty will carry you through not just this winter, but every slow season that follows.

Stop trying to be everything to everyone. Start being exactly what Cody needs.

This is the kind of marketing that works in Wyoming.

I go into more detail on how to create your 2025 Holiday Marketing Strategies in my blog PLUS I have a weekly newsletter that gives real, practical, no fluff advice and tips on how to improve your marketing yourself! Go subscribe for FREE!

This article is proudly sponsored by Cody Calendar advertisers