by Brittany McSorley
It’s about to be that special time of year again for Cape Cod social media marketing. Granted, the holidays will look a bit different for everyone this year, but I’ll still find time to watch Love Actually and cry, because the show must go on. Similarly, small business owners will still have opportunities to shake up their marketing strategies as the holidays approach.
We know, we know: it’s not even Halloween yet. But we thought we’d get ahead of the game by sharing some holiday season marketing tips that will benefit you during this strange (but still festive!) time:
Start early: Begin thinking about your holiday marketing strategy sooner than you think you need to. This is a weird year, to say the least. People are stressed, and many will be trying to prepare for the holidays well in advance. That means your business should too.
Use multiple channels: When sharing holiday marketing content, make sure you do so across several platforms. Posting to Facebook and Instagram is a no-brainer, but don’t let email campaigns or physical holiday cards slip your mind. Let your customers know you’re thinking of them, and they’ll return the favor.
Promote: Who doesn’t love a good old holiday promotion? The options are endless: discount codes at checkout, holiday photo contests, social media giveaways, coupons with purchases to encourage repeat customers… you get it.
Offer delivery: An especially wise move this year, and one that customers always appreciate. If you can make it free, even better.
Give back: This is the perfect time of year to help others. You can incorporate this into your marketing strategy by showcasing your favorite charities on social, or even teaming up with a few. Donating a portion of your sales to an organization you believe in will make your heart grow three sizes, and your followers will like it, too.
Provide solutions: Have I mentioned yet that the holidays can be stressful? People are always looking for guidance during this time, and your business can offer solutions to common holiday problems by sharing recipes, decorating tips, or gift guides to appease those hard-to-shop-for loved ones. Flex those creative muscles and show off your business’s expertise.
Embrace the warm and fuzzy: Family, tradition, nostalgia… the holiday season is all about celebrating these happy concepts, so don’t hold back. Embrace the happy. After the year we’ve had, we could all use it.
