Tis the season for holiday marketing campaigns! Businesses generally amp up their marketing spending this time of year, which is a wise investment. However, make sure you stand out among all the rest during the holiday season.
The typical marketing budget allocated by a small business can differ based on factors such as industry, company size, and marketing objectives. A general guideline suggests allocating approximately 7% to 10% of your gross revenue to marketing efforts. As per Salesforce’s recommendations, B2C companies may allocate up to 15% of their revenue for marketing campaigns.
Here we will share some ways to be successful in your holiday marketing campaigns with some do’s and don’ts.
Plan Ahead
Do
Start planning your holiday marketing campaigns well in advance. This will allow you to create a thoughtful strategy, secure partnerships, and avoid the last-minute rush. Also, most marketing campaigns, no matter what time of year it is, are generally planned three months in advance.
Don’t
Don’t wait until the last minute to throw together a campaign. You’ll miss valuable opportunities and may struggle to stand out in the crowded holiday market.
Understand Your Audience
Do
Take the time to understand your target audience. Get to know their preferences, needs, and behaviors during the holiday season. Tailor your campaigns to resonate with them.
Don’t
Avoid making assumptions about what your audience wants or needs during the holidays. You will want to rely on actual data and research to inform your decisions.
Leverage Multi-Channel Marketing
Do
Utilize a mix of marketing channels, including social media, email marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising, to reach a broader audience.
Social Media Tip To Engage Your Audience: Create a post that asks questions such as “When is the best time to put up a Christmas Tree?” or “When do you like to put up your Christmas Tree?”
Don’t
Don’t rely solely on one channel; diversify your approach to maximize your reach.
Create Engaging Content
Do
Develop high-quality, holiday-themed content that resonates with your audience. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and interactive content.
Don’t
Don’t produce generic or low-quality content. Mediocre content can harm your brand’s reputation.
Offer Exclusive Deals and Promotions
Do
Provide special holiday discounts, promotions, or bundles to entice customers to make purchases during the season.
Don’t
Avoid overpricing products and services before offering discounts; customers can spot inflated prices from a mile away.
Mobile Optimization
Do
Ensure that your website and marketing materials are mobile-friendly. Many consumers shop and browse on their mobile devices during the holidays.
Don’t
Don’t disregard mobile optimization; a poor mobile experience can lead to lost sales.
Customer Service
Do
Prioritize exceptional customer service during the holidays. Be responsive to inquiries, resolve issues promptly, and exceed customer expectations. Psst..This really should be a year-round practice.
Don’t
Don’t neglect customer service, as negative experiences can damage your brand’s reputation.
Automation
Do
Use automation tools to streamline your marketing efforts, but do so thoughtfully. Personalize messages and maintain a human touch.
Don’t
Don’t rely solely on automation without considering the personalization and authenticity of your communications
Measure and Analyze
Do
Continuously monitor the performance of your holiday marketing campaigns using metrics like conversion rates, ROI, and engagement.
This advice ties in with understanding your audience. When you keep your marketing results year after year, you can see what worked and what didn’t work the previous year and adjust accordingly.
Don’t
Don’t run campaigns blindly without analyzing their effectiveness. Use data to make informed decisions and optimize your strategy.
The Giving Spirit
Do
Embrace the spirit of the season by giving back to your community or supporting a charitable cause. If a portion of your holiday sales are going to a chosen charity, share those philanthropic efforts with your audience.
Don’t
Don’t focus solely on profits; remember that the holidays are a time for generosity and goodwill.
As a general rule, always create meaningful, genuine messaging. This helps to build brand equity which is so important. Add in personal touches any opportunity you get. For example, if you have an eCommerce business add in a handwritten thank you note when sending your customer their order. Little personal touches like this make a big impact.
If you need some inspiration, check out these holiday marketing campaigns from some well-known brands. Need a little help in executing your holiday marketing goals? We can help! The team at AG Creative would be excited to be your partner in excellence!
