Are you ready for the upcoming holiday season? Many companies begin preparing for the festivities months in advance, but it’s never too late to leverage the time we have left in 2015. This holiday marketing checklist will help you get up to speed during the last few weeks of the winter holidays.
Notify last minute shoppers of any deals via email
As December rolls around, there are many people who still have to do their holiday shopping. Make sure to email your customers to remind them of your products, any discounts or specials, and let them know about the last minute gift ideas they can get with your brand.
Remember to keep these emails helpful for your readers during the holiday season, and make sure it adds value to their day. Aside from adding value with special offers, you can also brighten their day by adding something fun at the end of your email newsletter, such as a comic strip or shout out.
Send out your holiday greetings to loyal customers
Whether it’s via email, a handwritten letter, or a special gift from your business, make sure to let your loyal customers know you’re thinking of them this holiday season. It’s a nice way to let them know that you value them and are glad they choose to shop with your brand.
A nice gesture goes a long way when you want your clients to think of you during the holidays. It’s also great for building relationships, not just for the holiday season but in the long-term of the company.
Have your displays up
You could have the best holiday marketing campaign idea and deals around, but it won’t have any affect on your sales if you don’t know how to display it to a relevant audience. In-store displays are only one piece of the puzzle (although they are important to let your in-store customers know what they could and should purchase). You must also make sure your website reflects your great deals, your campaign ideas and language are seen on social media, and your online presence is up to speed.
Remind your customers to shop via your social channels
Social media was mentioned in the last point, but did you know that “63% of millennials say they stay updated on brands through social networks; 51% say social opinions influence their purchase decisions; and 46% “count on social media” when buying online”? (Source: Leaderswest Digital Marketing Journal)
Social media plays a huge role in your holiday and year-round marketing efforts, because it has a huge influence on your audience. Social media is particularly powerful among younger audiences, so if your target market includes millenials, marketing to them via social media is vital. Reach out to customers and post updates that showcase your brand, deals and items to remind them to stop by and shop.
Customer service is marketing, too
Finally, we know the holidays can get crazy but you should remind your team not to sacrifice customer service. Strive for high-quality customer service whether you’re dealing with 5 customers or 5,000. After all, customer service falls under building relationships, which plays a large role in marketing. Your customer support team should strive to give customers a great experience, solve problems smoothly and efficiently, and perform their duties with a marketing mindset.
Aim to build relationships, push additional items and purchases when it makes sense, and treat all customers like they are the most important shopper your business has this holiday season.
What are your holiday marketing tips?
Anything we missed in this holiday marketing checklist? Let us know in the comments below!
About the Author: Jocelyn Pick
