Plan Now For Holiday Marketing

Don’t Stress

Holiday marketing can be confusing, but we are here to help you save time and reduce headaches. Use these tips to make sure you are prepared for the holiday season and the new year (which is coming fast) by building a solid foundation. We are here to help you make sure that there is no question about who you are, what you do, what people are saying about you, and how to find/contact you. Plus we’ll guide you on how to share your information so that you can grow your audience.

• Are you easy to find?
  When people search for your business online, are you easy to find and is your information correct? If you don’t have a Google Business Profile for your business, now is the time to create one! Having a listing (see example) will allow you to take control of your business’s online reputation and make sure that potential customers see the best reviews of your business. Once you have a listing, you can start monitoring your reviews, responding to them, and publicly thanking your loyal customers.
• Do you have an established brand?
  Your brand is the most important thing in your company; it is how the world identifies you. While branding isn’t just about your logo and colors, those are the first keys to helping people easily recognize you and your products/services. Be consistent with your brand, even on holiday ads or other promotional materials so you don’t confuse your audience.
• Are you using social channels?
  Social media can be an extremely effective way for businesses to interact with customers on a more personal level. However, not all social channels are right for your business. Make sure you consider your audience and what channels they are using the most. Those are the main channels you need to focus on. Before you jump in, make sure to take the time to develop a social media strategy so you can get the most out of your social channels with the least amount of work. 

• Is your website up-to-date?
  Ask yourself, does your website offer clear calls to action? People should be able to clearly understand how to buy from you. Make sure your holiday hours are easy to find. Any holiday sales, shipping deadlines, or other seasonal information should be prominent on your site- never make your customers go “digging” to find what they need.
• Are you using email marketing?
  Email marketing can help you form a relationship with your customers and can be used to promote repeat sales, offer discounts, solicit customer feedback, or simply keep customers up-to-date on what’s happening with your business. Plus, email marketing can drive traffic back to your website and to your social media platforms, which will help build even stronger relationships. Consider offering holiday contests/rewards/recipes/tips/etc to your loyal customers and encourage them to share it with a friend as a way to help grow your audience even more. 
• Do you have a marketing plan/goal?
  Sit down and think about the upcoming months. What events/sales/promotions/goals do you have and need for success all the way through to the holiday season of 2024 & into 2025 to start out strong! Write out a plan on a calendar and schedule social posts and/or emails to remind your current contacts of what is to come and to help grow your audience. It is most important that you have a solid Marketing Foundation to build trust and credibility. It provides clear, intuitive, and measurable actions that you want your customers and prospects to take.