Holiday Marketing Guide

Ding dong! The holidays are fast approaching! A social media holiday marketing guide helps brands plan and execute successful campaigns during the busiest shopping season of the year. But you want to get on it ASAP! Here’s a guide to creating a holiday marketing strategy on social media:

1. Set Clear Goals

• Increase Sales: Offer holiday promotions, discounts, or exclusive bundles.

• Build Engagement: Run holiday-themed contests or polls to keep audiences involved.

• Boost Brand Awareness: Use seasonal content to stand out in a crowded space and connect with new audiences.

  
  

2. Plan a Content Calendar

Start planning holiday content months in advance (aka NOW!). Include key dates like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, and even lesser-known holidays like Small Business Saturday.

Examples:

• Black Friday deal countdown.

• Holiday gift guides.

• "Behind-the-scenes" of holiday prep.

  
  

3. Leverage Holiday-Specific Themes

• Holiday Aesthetics: Use festive colors, symbols (snowflakes, gifts, twinkling lights), and filters.

• Seasonal Branding: Temporary holiday logos or profile pictures can spark excitement.

• Hashtags: Incorporate holiday hashtags like #HolidayShopping, #GiftGuide2024, or #MerryAndBright.

  
  

4. Holiday Sales Campaigns

• Exclusive Discounts: Promote limited-time offers and flash sales.

• Gift Guides: Create social media gift suggestions for different target audiences (e.g., “Top Gifts for Fitness Lovers”).

• Bundle Offers: Encourage higher sales with bundled products or services.

• Free Shipping or Last-Minute Delivery: A huge incentive for procrastinators!

  
  

5. Run Holiday-Themed Giveaways and Contests

• Ask followers to share their favorite holiday memories or post user-generated content with a specific hashtag.

• Create a countdown giveaway where prizes get bigger as the holiday approaches.

• Use Instagram Stories with poll stickers or quizzes to make participation easy and fun.

  
  

6. Utilize Influencers and Partnerships

• Influencers: Partner with influencers who can promote your products or services in a holiday-themed context.

• Collabs: Co-host giveaways or campaigns with complementary brands to expand your reach.

7. Use Interactive Features

• Instagram/Facebook Stories: Use quizzes, polls, or questions about holiday plans or preferences.

• Shoppable Posts: Make it easy for followers to shop directly from social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook.

8. Craft Seasonal Storytelling

• Highlight emotional connections: The holidays are all about nostalgia and warmth. Share stories that resonate emotionally.

• Show behind-the-scenes videos of how your brand prepares for the holiday rush.

• Feature customer testimonials that speak to how your product/service enhances the holiday season.

9. Holiday-Themed User-Generated Content (UGC)

• Encourage your audience to share how they use your product or service during the holiday season.

• Repost UGC on your social media accounts to increase engagement and trust.

10. Offer Early-Bird or VIP Perks

• Reward your loyal followers with early access to sales, exclusive holiday offers, or free shipping.

11. Utilize Paid Advertising

• Targeted Ads: Use Facebook or Instagram ads to reach specific demographics based on holiday behavior, interests, and shopping habits.

• Retargeting: Remind users who visited your website or added products to their cart to complete their purchase with limited-time holiday discounts.

12. Track Performance and Adjust

• Monitor engagement, sales, and follower growth. Analyze the performance of each campaign and adjust future strategies accordingly.

Want more guidance for your holiday marketing? Join the Content Calendar Club for curated content every single day!