Is it just me or are stores putting out Christmas decorations earlier and earlier each year? I was in a store (that I will not name because I absolutely love shopping there and don’t want to call them out) shopping for Halloween decorations and I only had two aisles to choose from because the Christmas section was already set up. I didn’t know if I should be upset or excited. On the one hand, I absolutely love the holidays; it is my favorite time of the year. However, as an advertiser, this is the start to my version of the Nightmare before Christmas.
Not only does our creative team have to start thinking about their holiday promotions for our clients earlier and earlier, but every one of their competitors is trying to beat them to the punch and get consumers attention through all the noise that’s already happening (email, T.V. ads, mailings, etc.)
So what can you do to make sure your brand shines the brightest during this holiday season? Cut through the advertising noise this holiday season. And here are a few suggestions on just how to do that:
Support a charity. Around this time of year, there are ample opportunities to give back. Invite partners, employees, and customers to participate. Customers will appreciate your values during the season of giving.
Show how thankful you are. Recognize faithful customers and supporters by sending small holiday gifts to people on your mailing list.
Provide effortless mobile experience. If you are selling products that consumers are interested in, it’s important to remember that they are researching on-the-go. Make sure all images are mobile friendly and test page loads.
Listen to customers and pay attention to shopping trends. Figure out what is “hot” this holiday season and then determine how you can help meet that demand.
Create gift guides. Help shoppers make gift-giving decisions by giving them ideas in a gift guide that features your products or services.
Promote coupons and saving opportunities. In a recent survey, consumers gave online coupons a 3.4/5 for their impact on purchase decisions.
Send personalized email communications. Personalize campaigns and make people feel special. Find a way to mix promotions with informational messages and don’t forget to design with mobile in mind.
Remember that social media is your friend. 65% of shoppers use social media to find the perfect gift. Focus on consistent branding and share-worthy content. And this year, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram are allowing users to execute purchases directly from their sites.
Incorporate Pinterest into your marketing strategy. Create boards with gift ideas. Learn what people are pinning and see what’s popular among customers. If you are interested in selling specific products, try promoting buyable pins during the holiday season.
Monitor Twitter 24/7 (or as much as possible!) Shoppers are constantly looking up the latest holiday deals, reading reviews, asking for advice, and contacting brands for support. Be there to answer their questions and direct them to make a purchase!
And remember, the holiday season is about more than making money before the year ends. Portray the personality of your brand and be heartfelt because that is what most people are looking for.
