The holiday season is the time of year that businesses can be made or broken. Many businesses, such as retail, depend heavily on the holiday season that runs mid-November through New Year’s Day. This is one time of year that you should not skimp on the marketing! The holidays make marketing so much fun – the contests, the deals, the relevant engagement – everyone needs to get into the spirit!
Here are some of the holiday marketing facts (source: Adept):
- The days from Black Friday through Christmas pull in 50-100% more revenue compared to shopping days throughout the rest of the year.
- 78% of shoppers used the internet for holiday research last year.
- 1 in 3 retailers dedicate 31-50% of their total online marketing budget to holiday efforts.
- US retail e-Commerce will grow 16.6 % this holiday (up from a 15.3% increase in 2014).
- 86% of retailers expect their 2015 online holiday sales to increase.
- 22% research a product on their smartphone while in store.
- 72% of millennials research online before heading to brick and mortar stores.
- 49% of shoppers view products in person, then find cheaper prices online.
- 27% read online peer reviews of a product while in store.
- People who shop both in person and online spend 66% more than those who only go to stores.
- On Black Friday, mobile sales accounted for 27.9% of total online sales.
- Email marketing drove 27.3% of orders on Black Friday in 2014.
- 65% of marketing emails were opened in 2014.
- 1 in 5 shoppers made a purchase after opening a retailer’s email on their mobile device.
- 2,013,943 social media “discussions” on retailer channels happened on Black Friday in 2014.
- Last year, e-Commerce orders coming from social media grew a staggering 202%.
- 20% of online shoppers say that Facebook helps influence their decisions.
- 10% of online shoppers say that Pinterest helps influence their decision to buy.
- Only 1.7% of E-Commerce orders on Black Friday through Cyber Monday came from social media (including FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest).
Now that you know the facts, how does that factor in to your marketing plan? Here are 8 tips to help…
1. Get festive!
You want your business/brand to be relevant, so that means “decorating” your social media accounts! Change out your Facebook cover photo to something Christmasy (if you celebrate that) or have your Twitter background be a field covered with snow. Show the world that you are ready for the holidays.
2. Post interactive content.
Ask questions each week, share favorite holiday memories. Connect with your market on an emotional level and get to know them.
3. Give sneak peeks.
People like to have exclusivity. If you are offering a deal in your brick and mortar store, offer it to your social media fans or email list a day early. If you are debuting a new product or service, leave bread crumbs so they are hungry for it when you debut it.
4. Offer a discount or special deal.
You do not have to do this to be successful, but sometimes this will help you convert those browsers into customers. It can something for Black Friday or Cyber Monday. It could be a month-long discount on a product or service.
5. Utilize your email list!
Your email list is almost like gold. These are people who have said they want emails from you – use this wisely! Segment it and send carefully crafted messages. Send email list-only deals. You have a captive audience, so make the most of it!
6. Give back.
I believe all businesses should donate to charity (whether it’s time or money). During the holiday season, share what you support or support something new. Do boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Donate to Toys for Tots. Adopt a local foster child. Take a group of your employees and do a shift at a local soup kitchen. Show that you are more than a business and that you truly care and want to give back.
7. Use some traditional marketing.
You will always have a segment of your market that is not online. Make sure to infuse your online holiday marketing plan with some aspects of traditional.
8. Have fun.
It is the holidays after all. Show some holiday cheer and have fun with your fans and those who come into your office/store.
Are you ready for the holiday season? What tips would you share?