As the holiday season approaches, the air fills with the buzz of potential. For small business owners, this isn’t just a time of festive lights and cozy evenings; it’s a golden opportunity to enhance your brand and end the year on a high note.
At AZ Media Maven, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with holiday marketing. Our guide is crafted to help you navigate this bustling season with strategies to attract attention and convert attention into lasting customer relationships. So, whether you’re aiming to promote a Black Friday sale or prepare for Christmas, let’s get into it!
So, what are our best holiday marketing tactics?
Harnessing the power of earned media
Earned media, which is essentially any publicity gained through methods other than paid advertising, can be a powerful tool when it comes to holiday marketing. As we all know, during the festive season, the community’s eyes are peeled for heartwarming stories, community involvement, and local business support.
Here’s how you can make earned media work for your brand:
- Share your story: Have you decked out your store in holiday themes, or are you offering special holiday packages? Maybe your business is hosting a charity event or partnering with other local businesses for a holiday drive. Pitch these stories to local news outlets. The unique angle of your holiday cheer can earn you a spot in the local news, both in print and online.
- Leverage reviews and testimonials: Encourage your satisfied customers to share their positive experiences on social media, Google, or Yelp. Taking advantage of user-generated content (UGC), builds trust with consumers, but user content can increase conversion rates by up to 20%!
- Engage on social media: Regular updates about your holiday offerings, behind-the-scenes peeks at holiday preparations, and interactive posts that invite audience participation (like contests or polls) can increase your visibility and organic reach.
Participate in or sponsor seasonal events
Events during the holidays are about more than fun—they are also a strategic platform for brand visibility and engagement. Here’s how you and your brand can get involved:
- Local holiday markets: Set up a booth or sponsor a local holiday market. It’s a direct way to engage with the community, showcase your products, and create a personal connection with your audience.
- Sponsor a charity event: Aligning with a charity event during the holiday season not only gives back to the community but also positions your brand positively in the eyes of your customers. Positive customer perceptions are key!
Host workshops or classes: If you run a business that lends itself to DIY or crafting, holiday-themed workshops or classes can be a great draw. Promote these events well in advance and consider a special holiday discount to boost sign-ups.
Timely and targeted website popups
The holidays might be the perfect excuse to spruce up your website with timely popups that can convert visitors into customers. However, it’s crucial your website performs well on both desktop and mobile, so check-out our blog on responsive web design. Here’s how to do popups effectively:
- Seasonal offers: Design popups that offer holiday discounts or exclusive products. The key is to make these offers compelling and time-sensitive to encourage immediate action.
- Email sign-ups: Use popups to promote sign-ups for your newsletter. Offer a holiday-themed incentive, such as a discount code upon signing up or exclusive access to holiday sales.
Guide your visitors: Popups can also be used to guide visitors towards your most popular products or holiday gift guides. It helps reduce the overwhelm of choice, particularly during the busy season.
Ensuring your holiday marketing campaigns resonate
The holiday season is rich with themes of generosity, connection, and celebration. When planning your marketing, it’s essential you consider these core sentiments. Your campaign should highlight what you’re selling but also show your brand can add value to the holiday experience—whether it’s through product offerings, customer service, or community involvement.
At AZ Media Maven, our expertise is helping small businesses like yours shine, especially when it’s most crucial. As we wrap up this guide, remember that holiday marketing is about weaving your brand into the holiday spirit that envelops your potential customers. It’s about creating an experience that they will want to choose, time and time again.
Remember, the best holiday marketing strategy is one that stays true to your brand while making your customers feel special and valued. Let’s make this holiday season your most successful one yet!
AZ Media Maven is based in Laveen, AZ, a suburban village in the greater Phoenix area. Owner Rose Tring has more than 30 years of journalism experience as an editor and writer, many of those years in business news. She created AZ Media Maven in 2012 to help other business owners succeed by effectively telling their stories through public relations and social media. Reach AZ Media Maven at azmediamaven@azmediamaven.com or call (602) 373-8371.
