With the Holiday season, comes a lot of NOISE. Commotion, hustle and bustle abound. Between holiday music, movies, family parties and mass amounts of online shopping, how can you and your brand continue to BE HEARD amidst the chaos???
Here are a few ways to stay on the radar:
1. Make it Personal
“If you look hard enough, I have a sneaky feeling you’ll discover that love actually is all around.” – Love Actually
The holiday season is a very emotional time of year. Consumers are more susceptible to feelings of nostalgia, camaraderie and matters of the heart. A tug on the heartstrings can grab a lot of attention. In 2016, the Hallmark Channel’s “Thanksgiving Weekend Event” premiered five new emotional holiday movies which put them in the #1 spot in Prime Time from Wednesday, November 23 to Saturday, November 26 among Household ratings. People love to feel this time of year.
By appealing to this peak in compassion, there are various ways companies can be heard during the Holidays.
Tell a heartwarming story. By incorporating your product or brand into a relatable story, consumers are drawn into something they already feel a part of.
Give. Donate time to a local charity. Give to a worthy cause. Run a food or toy drive. This holiday giving shows that you are not just out to sell your product, but you are working toward the greater good.
Engage on Social Media. Offer a contest or sweepstakes to your social media followers. Use a unique #hashtag event so people can join in on the holiday fun and share photos, messages and posts within the community of your brand.
2. Look the Part
“Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” – Polar Express
When I was growing up, I looked forward to our family drives to search for neighborhoods full of Christmas lights. There is nothing like a touch of sparkle or the glow from a string of lights to warm a heart and catch an eye. Here are a few ways to look the part this year.
Spruce up your website. Add some festive color or graphic to your website while maintaining the integrity of your brand.
Post a holiday themed blog. Write a blog or series of blogs that connect your brand to the season. Tell about the good things you’ve done this year, give advice, inspire.
Post relatable content on social media outlets. Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest are great outlets to post eye-catching images and messages which are centered around the holidays.
3. Perfect Timing
“I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year.” – A Christmas Carol
I start listening to Christmas music in October. Sometimes, I start in July. To stay viable during this busy time of year, the holiday marketing needs to start far in advance. It’s all about timing.
Make a plan. Schedule out a whole calendar of events which includes social media content, blogs and website content which can be distributed monthly, weekly then daily as the holidays get closer.
Have post-holiday sales. A post-holiday sale or event is a great way to keep in touch with customers you may have gathered during the holiday season.
Phrase it right. When posting or advertising holiday-related content or specials, be sure to use phrasing that will keep consumers returning for more. Give hope for deals and exciting events in the future.
4. Spread Good Cheer
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” – Elf
Give the people what they want! The holidays are filled with list-making, wishing on stars and looking for a good deal. Here are a few ways to spread cheer.
Show your appreciation. Give thanks to loyal customers by offering them things like early access to deals and special discounts. Email or send them a personalized holiday greeting.
Offer specials and deals. Free shipping. Flash sales. Holiday specials. This is the perfect time of year for special accommodations to attract attention.
Be creative. Some holiday marketing campaigns are tiresome and repetitive. Look for a fresh approach and a new angle to spread holiday cheer and stay on the radar.
