Holiday Marketing How-To

Maybe you’re still waiting to pull out holiday decorations, but it’s time to consider your holiday marketing strategy.  

Offering promotions, hosting an event, sending gifts, or taking part in charitable efforts this holiday season? Here are our top tips to maximize your marketing this year: 

Plan, plan, plan

 Failure to plan and set clear milestones for every piece of your holiday campaign might lead you to a lump of coal instead of holiday cheer. 
 
Determine your ideal promotion dates early to ensure ample time for creative assets, copy, and development. The holidays are busy for most creative agencies, so time management is essential.  
 
Allow your organization approximately 1 month (*cough* start now!) to develop your campaign and promote your holiday services during peak season.  

Advertising

1. Segment your audience list based on demographics, age, purchase history, etc. This will allow you to create more personalized marketing messages and increase engagement and sales.

2. Have some festive fun with your copy!

3. Create useful and engaging holiday content. This can take the form of cards or client gifts. Example: create a calendar for the upcoming year for your clients. 

4. Collaborate with other organizations to leverage shared resources and expand your audience. Giveaways are always a great way to treat your customers and make your organization attractive amongst holiday advertising.

Inclusivity is key

While Christmas is a prominent holiday in Atlantic Canada, be sure to acknowledge populations that celebrate Hannukah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, or Chinese New Year.

Including various cultures and holidays during November, December, and January is especially important during a Christmas-heavy season that often leaves out other winter holidays.

Consider charitable causes 

Your promotions need not focus on your own products or services: the holidays are a key fundraising season for non-profits gathering cold-weather needs. By spending marketing dollars on promoting community organizations, you can exponentially increase donations for those in need.

You can also consider offering volunteer hours, free services, or in-office fundraising for food banks, clothing drives, and children’s toys to help make a difference in your community this year.
Ultimately, a well-planned and well-executed holiday marketing plan will drive sales, enhance client and community loyalty, and increases brand prestige.