The holiday shopping season is the busiest time of year for B2C (business-to-consumer) companies. This year, holiday retail sales are projected to reach over $755 billion. It’s no surprise then that the holiday season brings on many unique marketing opportunities that are perfectly suited for this time of year. Our previous blog here highlighted tips for social media marketing during the holidays. But there are so many other ways to utilize public relations, influencer marketing, email marketing and more to highlight your business this holiday season. Keep reading for some ideas.
Pitch Gift Guides to Media
Gift guides are lifesavers for busy shoppers and are a great way to showcase a particular product or service. Once you decide what product or service to focus on, there are a number of ways to package it up when reaching out to reporters. For example, pitch a rundown of local gifts under $100 to a digital publication or secure a TV segment to talk through physical items perfect for foodies. The gift guide possibilities are endless!
Host Holiday-Themed Events
Events may look different this year with more virtual gatherings or strict reservations required for events held in-person. But that doesn’t mean your business can’t pivot to a holiday theme. Host trivia with a theme of classic holiday movies or have a cookie baking class. Events are great to have in your arsenal for pitching media, as most publications tend to have weekly roundups on things to do around town as well as event calendars that are open to submissions.
Create an Email Marketing Campaign
A regular email marketing campaign is a fantastic way to share news with fans that you know are already engaged with your business. You’ve probably noticed the influx of marketing emails in your inbox this time of year. Make your campaign stand out with a catchy subject line. Create a sense of urgency in the body of the newsletter that makes your news must-read. You can plan special one-off email campaigns during the holidays as reminders ahead of special sales and events.
Team Up with Influencers
Influencer marketing helps generate awareness of your business to a targeted audience, from fans of beauty tips to fitness to food. There are many ways to work together once you find an influencer that aligns with your brand and goals. An influencer could feature your product or service in a gift guide, host a giveaway open to their followers or provide an overview or tutorial on your product.
Send Out a Holiday Card
Sometimes the simplest thing can make all the difference. Show your appreciation to your customer database and partners with a card wishing them happy holidays. It doesn’t have to be fancy. You can forgo mailing physical cards and instead send an ecard.
Add a Festive Touch to Your Website
If your business has a lot of online sales or bookings, ensure your website is up to the task. There’s nothing more frustrating than a slow or unresponsive website, especially during the holidays. Take it a step further with custom graphics and copy related to the holidays. And be sure to add pop-ups or special pages calling out sales and specials.
