New Year Video Ideas for Small Business: 11 That Work in 2027

By the time Christmas is over, most owners are tired, behind on invoices and ready for a few days off. So the New Year video never gets made, even though January is when a lot of customers decide who to call next.

That's a fair place to be. You've just got through the busiest month of the year, and "make a video" sounds like one more job. Most lists of New Year video ideas for small business owners don't help much either. They're written for influencers and online stores, not an HVAC company or a dental office.

The good news is you only need two or three short videos. Below are 11 ideas sorted by trade, a calendar with the real dates for this New Year, a plan for your holiday hours, and a 3-line script you can copy.

Key takeaways

• New Year's Eve 2026 is a Thursday and New Year's Day 2027 is a Friday, so many businesses won't be fully back until Monday, Jan 4.
• Most service businesses need only 2-3 videos: a thank-you greeting, an hours update and one "fresh start" offer.
• Keep each video 15-30 seconds, and end with a next step: a booking link, your hours or your phone number.
• The week before Dec 31 is for thanks and hours. The first two weeks of January are for fresh-start offers.

Your New Year video calendar (Dec 2026 to Jan 2027)

New Year's Day lands on a Friday this time, right after a Christmas that also lands on a Friday. That means two long weekends in a row, and a lot of customers checking whether you're open.

Here's what to post and when.

Pro tip: Schedule the Dec 30 hours video and the Dec 31 greeting before Christmas. Our social media content calendar guide shows how to plan a month of posts in one sitting.

11 New Year video ideas for small business, by trade

These ideas are built for local service businesses first, with a few for restaurants and retail. Start with the row that fits you, then jump to those ideas.

1. Send a branded "Happy New Year" thank-you

Every business can post this one. It thanks people for the year and puts your name in front of them just before they start making January plans.

• On screen: your logo and brand colors, fireworks or a clock striking midnight, a warm voiceover.
• Example script: "Thank you for a great 2026. From all of us at [Business], Happy New Year. We'll see you in 2027."
• When to post: the morning of Thursday, Dec 31.
• Best for: everyone. If you only make one New Year video, I'd make this one.

If you'd rather not make the greeting yourself, our Holiday Video Club makes you a branded 3D greeting with your logo, colors, voiceover and music. Your New Year video arrives at least 7 days before Jan 1.

2. Share your year in real numbers

A short recap shows people you're busy and trusted, without bragging. Use your own records, not guesses.

• How to do it: pull 3 numbers from your booking software or invoices. Jobs done, new customers, or five-star reviews all work.
• On screen: each number on its own card for 2-3 seconds, then "Thank you."
• Example: Say you run a two-chair barbershop. Your video could show haircuts this year, new regulars and one favorite review.
• Best for: salons, cleaners, realtors, accountants and any business with a loyal base.

Pro tip: Only share numbers you can back up. A small true number feels better than a big round one.

3. Post your New Year's hours as a video

An hours video saves you phone calls and wasted trips. Play your greeting first, then add a caption or a quick clip with your hours. The full plan is in the next section.

• Best for: anyone who closes early on Dec 31 or stays closed on Jan 1.

4. Remind patients their benefits end Dec 31

The American Dental Association says many insurance companies have a benefit deadline of December 31, and for most plans unused benefits don't roll over. The same page notes that some plans end at other times of year, so keep your wording general.

• When to post: Dec 1-15 for booking, then a last reminder on Dec 28.
• On screen: a calendar flipping to Dec 31, then "Book now" and your number.
• Example script: "Many dental plans reset on Jan 1. If you have benefits left, there's still time to use them."
• Best for: dentists. Optometrists and physical therapists can use it too.

5. Share a "start the year right" home tip

January is cold in much of the country, and people are home more. A 20-second tip gets saved, and it keeps your number in mind when something breaks.

• On screen: a tech changing a furnace filter, or pointing to the water shut-off valve.
• Example script: "New year, new filter. It takes two minutes and your system will thank you."
• Best for: HVAC, plumbers, electricians and handymen.

Nothing gets a homeowner to save your number like a video filmed next to the valve they couldn't find last winter.

6. Offer a fresh-start booking

People like to start the year with a clean house or a new look. A short video with real dates turns that wish into a booking. Post it Jan 4-15.

• On screen: a before-and-after time-lapse of a kitchen, or a quick montage of new cuts and colors.
• Example script: "New year, fresh start. We have a few January slots left for a deep clean."
• Best for: cleaners, salons, barbers, car detailers and organizers.

7. Help customers keep their resolution

Resolutions are real, but they're not universal. In a YouGov poll of 1,104 US adults, 31% of Americans said they'd make a resolution or set a goal for 2026. The top one was exercising more, at 25%.

So skip the guilt. Talk to the people who have a goal, and make the first step easy.

• On screen: a coach showing one simple move, or your front desk with "Your first class is free" on screen.
• Example script: "If moving more is on your list this year, start with one class a week. We'll save you a spot."
• Best for: gyms, yoga and pilates studios, personal trainers and dietitians.

8. Tell people what's new this year

A new service, a new hire or new hours is news your customers want. A 15-second "what's new in 2027" video gives them a reason to call.

• On screen: the new team member waving, or the new service written on screen.
• Example script: "New for 2027: we now do Saturday appointments. Book online anytime."
• Best for: any business with a real change. Don't invent one just for the video.

9. Fill your New Year's Eve tables early

People plan New Year's Eve weeks ahead, and the first places they see are the places they book. Post it in early December, then again once you're down to the last few tables.

• On screen: a table set for two with a candle, then the date and "book now."
• Example script: "New Year's Eve falls on a Thursday this year. We have a few tables left for the late seating."
• Best for: restaurants, bars, cafés and event venues.

10. Check in with week-three motivation

Plenty of resolutions fade by mid-January. A friendly check-in video in the third week reminds members why they joined.

• On screen: a short clip of real members training, used with their permission.
• Example script: "Week three is the hard one. Show up today, even for 20 minutes."
• Best for: gyms, studios and trainers. Salons and cleaners can do a "we're still booking" version.

11. Share a "get organized for 2027" checklist

January is when people want to sort out paperwork. A short checklist video is useful, easy to share and positions you as the person to call.

• On screen: 3-5 checklist items appearing one by one.
• Example script: "Three things to gather in January: last year's receipts, your 1099s or W-2s, and any new account numbers." (accountant) or "Bought or sold a home last year? Keep your closing papers in one folder." (realtor)
• Best for: accountants, bookkeepers, lawyers, realtors and insurance agents.

Plan your holiday hours video (Dec 31 is a Thursday)

With New Year's Eve on a Thursday and New Year's Day on a Friday, many owners will close early on Dec 31 and stay closed until Monday, Jan 4. Customers want to know that before they call, not after.

For trades, this video does double duty. It tells people when you're closed, and it puts your emergency number in front of them before a pipe freezes over the long weekend. Post it Dec 29-30 and pin it to the top of your Facebook page.

Update your Google hours the same day. If your profile needs other work too, our guide to Google Business Profile for contractors walks through the basics.

Example script (10-15 seconds): "Happy New Year from [Business]. We close at noon on Thursday, Dec 31, and we're back Monday, Jan 4. Emergency? Call [number], day or night."

Before you post, check these four things:

• Your hours are in the caption as well as the video.
• Your phone number stays on screen for at least 3 seconds.
• The post is pinned to the top of your page.
• Your Google profile and website show the same hours.

Make one video, post it in six places

You don't need a different video for every channel. Make your best New Year video once and put it everywhere your customers already look:

1. An Instagram or Facebook Reel.
2. A pinned post on your Facebook page.
3. A post or video upload on your Google Business Profile.
4. An email to your customer list, with a thumbnail image that links to the video.
5. A banner on your website's home page.
6. A link in your out-of-office email reply.

That last one is easy to skip. Anyone who emails you over the long weekend sees your greeting and your reopening date in one click.

Pro tip: Upload the video directly to each platform instead of sharing a link, and add captions. Plenty of people scroll with the sound off.

A 3-line New Year video script that isn't cheesy

Cheesy videos usually try to say too much. A good New Year script has three lines and takes 15-30 seconds to read.

1. Thanks. "To everyone who trusted us this year, thank you."
2. One true line about your year or the year ahead. Keep it real, and don't make up numbers.
3. What's next. Your hours, a booking link or your phone number.

How long each video should run:

Three example scripts to copy and change:

• Plumber: "Thank you for letting us into your homes in 2026. We hope your pipes stay warm this winter. If they don't, we're on call at [number]. Happy New Year."
• Salon: "Thank you for sitting in our chairs this year. January is the perfect time for a fresh look, and online booking is open now. Happy New Year from [Salon]."
• Accountant: "Thank you for trusting us with your numbers this year. Tax season starts soon, so send us your paperwork early. Happy New Year from [Firm]."

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Running long. Anything over 45 seconds loses people.
• Hiding your name. Show your logo or business name in the first 3 seconds.
• Posting after Jan 2. By then people have moved on, so switch to your fresh-start video.

Film it yourself or have it made?

Some of these videos are better filmed on your phone. Tips, team clips and before-and-after time-lapses feel real because they are real, and each takes a few minutes.

The branded greeting is different. It's the one that should look polished, and it's the one that gets lost between Christmas and the long weekend.

My take: film the quick phone clips yourself and hand off the branded greeting. The Holiday Video Club is $6.95 for the first month, then $39 a month, and you can cancel anytime.

Frequently asked questions

What's a good New Year video idea for a small business?

A 15-30 second thank-you greeting with your logo, posted on the morning of Dec 31. Add a holiday hours video if you close. In early January, follow up with one fresh-start offer, like a deep clean, a new look or a first class.

When should I post my New Year video?

Post your hours video on Dec 29 or 30 and your greeting on the morning of Thursday, Dec 31. Keep both pinned through the long weekend. Post your fresh-start offer once people are back, from Monday, Jan 4.

How long should a New Year business video be?

Aim for 15-30 seconds for a greeting and 10-15 seconds for an hours update. Show your name or logo in the first 3 seconds, and add captions for people watching with the sound off.

Is it too late to post a New Year video on Jan 2 or 3?

A greeting feels late after Jan 2. Switch to a "welcome back" or fresh-start video instead, and post it on Monday, Jan 4, when people are back at work and booking again.

Should I make a New Year video if I already made a Christmas one?

Yes, if you can. The Christmas video thanks people for the year, and the New Year video tells them what's next. Keep it short, and give it a different job, like your hours or a January offer.

What should a New Year video say if my business is closed?

Say when you close, when you reopen and how to reach you in an emergency. For example: closed Friday, Jan 1, back Monday, Jan 4. Pin the video and update your Google hours on the same day.

Ready to start?

Pick your 2-3 videos from the table above and put the dates in your calendar today. Then film the easy phone clips in early December, before the season gets busy.

If you want the branded greeting handled, the Holiday Video Club sends you 15+ branded animated holiday videos a year with your logo and brand colors, including your New Year greeting. Each one has 3D animation, voiceover and music. Your first video arrives within 48 hours of sending your logo, and every video after that arrives at least 7 days before the holiday.

Revisions are included, and the first month comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. We've made 14,000+ videos for 13,500+ businesses since 2013. See how the Holiday Video Club works.

Related reading:

• Christmas video ideas for small business
• Thanksgiving video ideas for small business
• Social media content calendar guide