It’s the most wonderful time of the year–for businesses too! The holiday season is not just a time for festive decorations and gift-giving. It’s a time to connect with customers, increase brand visibility, and boost sales! But in a competitive market, standing out requires more than just holiday-themed campaigns–it takes strategic planning and a focus on data-driven tactics.
Whether you plan to boost your social media presence, update your website with a design overhaul, or create festive video content that can be easily shared online, we have tips to help you navigate the new landscape this time of year and make the most of the season for your business. Let’s dive into the holiday spirit and discover how to turn festival cheer into end-of-year success.
WHY HOLIDAY MARKETING MATTERS
The holidays are a time for giving–and your customers are giving retailers a lot of love. Reports show that in 2022, US holiday retail sales exceeded one trillion dollars, which makes it the most wonderful (and lucrative) time of the year for businesses.
But to make the most of this opportunity, you must understand your consumers’ behaviors. For example, did you know that 30% of shoppers start their holiday shopping as early as October? Meanwhile, 56% of consumers plan to finish their shopping before December.
As the year winds down, it feels like the clock speeds up! If your holiday marketing efforts don’t kick off early, you might miss out on a significant chunk of revenue.
THE ROLE OF ONLINE CONTENT IN DRIVING HOLIDAY SALES
Are you ready to fill your sleigh with sales? It all starts with your content. With the growth of social media, studies show that 80% of shoppers are influenced by online content during the holiday season. Whether you’re creating festive Instagram Reels or hopping on a popular TikTok trend, your brand needs to be front and center. This time of year, consumers will be actively seeking inspiration and information online before making purchases–make sure they keep you at the top of minds.
SOCIAL MEDIA: WHERE THE HOLIDAY MAGIC HAPPENS
Social media platforms have become essential tools for holiday gift discovery. 38% of consumers find holiday gift ideas on social media, and for Gen Z, that number jumps to 64%.
Let’s break down these studies even further:
- TikTok is the holiday gift idea hub for Gen Z (Born 1997-2012) with 56% of them relying on the platform.
- Boomers (Born 1946-1964) on the other hand, lean towards Facebook, with 38% using it to discover holiday products.
- 42% of consumers plan to use social media more than last year to find gifts, making it an important piece of your holiday marketing strategy.
With many consumers planning to use social media more for holiday shopping this year, an effective social strategy should be a non-negotiable.
THE POWER OF EMAIL AND SMS MARKETING
Over the years, we’ve seen a continual rise in social media marketing, but don’t let that fool you! Emails and SMS are still essential tools for a successful holiday marketing campaign.
- 68% of consumers pay more attention to holiday emails, making it a golden opportunity to connect with your audience.
- Email marketing drives 20% of online holiday site visits, and consumers who make purchases through email offers spend 138% more than those who don’t.
- SMS marketing is equally powerful, with 91% of customers open to receiving marketing texts.
If you’re looking for the best days to send these messages, Black Friday and Thanksgiving are a MUST! These two days see the highest open and click-through rates than any other days of the year. A well-crafted email or SMS campaign can effectively drive traffic and conversions during this very competitive time of year.
MOBILE SHOPPING IS HERE TO STAY
Now, let’s talk about mobile. Your customers aren’t just browsing; they’re buying from their phones. In fact, 70% of online shoppers plan to make purchases via mobile this season.
Here’s the breakdown:
- 31% of consumers will shop on their tablet
- 55% of shoppers will stick with desktops
- A tech-savvy 8% will even use voice assistants like Alexa or Echo
Optimizing your website for mobile is no longer optional–it’s crucial. A seamless mobile shopping experience will allow you to capture more sales and enhance customer satisfaction.
THE GROWING ROLE OF VIDEO CONTENT
Video content is a game-changer in holiday marketing. Whether it’s a product demo, a holiday-themed brand video, or a behind-the-scenes look at your team decorating the office tree, video content helps your brand connect with customers in a big way.
Holiday-themed videos can:
- Increase brand awareness
- Drive higher engagement on social media
- Boost conversion rates on your website
The holiday season is the perfect time to create something magical that your audience won’t be able to resist resharing.
KEY STRATEGIES FOR HOLIDAY MARKETING SUCCESS
If you’re ready to maximize your holiday marketing efforts, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind.
- Start Early: As mentioned earlier, 30% of shoppers start in October, and 28% plan to begin on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Launch your campaigns early to stay ahead of the competition.
- Personalize Everything: Holiday marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Tailor your messages based on customer data. From customized email offers to personalized product recommendations, make your audience feel like you know exactly what they need.
- Leverage Social Media: With platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook driving holiday shopping trends, a strong social media presence is crucial. Share festival posts, run giveaways, and don’t be afraid to go live!
- Optimize for Mobile: Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and your checkout process is seamless! Creating a positive user-experience will help establish trust with your shoppers and turn one-time buyers into return customers.
- Invest in High-Quality Visuals: Visual content, including graphics and videos, is key to capturing attention during the holiday season, whether through social media, website design, traditional marketing, or another method.
LET’S MAKE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON YOUR BEST YET!
Holiday marketing is crucial for businesses looking to thrive during one of the most competitive seasons of the year. By starting early, leveraging digital channels, and making the most of your marketing strategy, you will be able to drive sales and build customer relationships that last long after the tree is taken down.
Whether you need help with social media marketing or video production or just need someone to point your marketing strategy in the right direction, contact our team! We’re here to help.
Let’s make the holiday season your best one yet!