During the holiday season, customers are constantly scanning for deals on multiple online platforms, one of the largest being social media.
Social media plays an important role in getting your customers' attention in order to generate more leads and make more sales. It's essential to have a solid social media marketing plan ahead of the holiday season so that you're not left scrambling.
You may be wondering when you should start and what exactly you should plan to post on social media this holiday season. We're here to help you through it! Below are some holiday marketing strategies and tips to help you plan your social media marketing for the upcoming holiday season.
When should I start my holiday social media marketing?
Although you might see holiday decor in stores before Halloween, the best time to start your holiday social media marketing is generally about three weeks before Thanksgiving. However, you should start planning a month (or several) ahead of time.
Holiday marketing strategies
The holiday season is a wonderful time to offer sales, spread the holiday spirit, and provide additional benefits to your customers through social media. Below are some holiday marketing strategies to help you plan your holiday social media marketing plan.
1. Set goals for your social media content
Before you get started, think about what you want to accomplish this holiday season. Do you want to increase sales through leads gained via social media? Do you want to increase brand awareness? Increase engagement on social media? Define specific, measurable goals for your social media marketing this holiday season and structure your social strategy around these goals.
2. Identify what types of promotions or sales you want to offer
Customers are constantly looking for deals and savings during the holiday season, and this will especially be true during the global pandemic and current economic downturn. Identify what you are going to offer this season ahead of time and plan your social media content around it.
3. Focus on your online business
If you are able, consider placing an emphasis on e-commerce and online activities, since current CDC guidelines recommend online shopping this season.
4. Spread holiday cheer
Your customers want to purchase gifts from you, but they also expect to experience holiday spirit from the small businesses they patronize. Be sure to spread holiday cheer on your social media accounts for the season. Check out these holiday illustration templates for some inspiration.
5. Add a personal touch
Include thank you notes inside deliveries, on boxes, over social media, or via email when customers purchase your products. If you don't offer physical products, send thank you notes and well-wishes for the holidays to clients via email, social media, or snail mail. A personal touch will ensure your loyal customer base feels appreciated.
6. Consider creating a gift guide
Make things easy for your customers and create a gift guide on social media. Display what you are offering and tailor it towards specific customers to give your followers some inspiration.
7. Offer free or discounted shipping
For those who have product to ship, you should consider offering discounted or free shipping in order to stay competitive. Free shipping is expected from a lot of consumers year round, but if you can at least offer it during the holidays it may ensure stronger sales. Be sure to let your customers know about your shipping options on social media.
8. Hold a social media giveaway
Customers love the prospect of winning something for free! Hold a contest on social media with an enticing prize: a free product, gift certificate, or first service will do. Be sure to read up on how to run a holiday contest or giveaway and reference social media giveaway/contest laws in your area.
9. Track your success
Remember those goals you made? Be sure to track your progress throughout the season. And once the holidays are over, consider doing a full recap. This will help you plan for next holiday season!
Holiday marketing tips
1. Plan ahead
Save our social media holiday calendar for the remainder of 2020 and reference it when planning out your social content for the holiday season.
2. Schedule your content
You're going to be extremely busy this holiday season. Do yourself a favor and schedule your social media content ahead of time. This will free up your time to spend on the day to day operations of your business. Ripl's scheduling tool can help you save time by scheduling all your social media posts ahead.
3. Get some inspiration
Need some holiday social media ideas? Ripl has everything you need to create eye-catching holiday social media posts. Check out these collections for seasonal social media post templates designed to help you grow on social media:
What about Thanksgiving marketing strategies?
Don't forget to respect the bird! You should consider marketing for Thanksgiving starting in October, and at the very latest in the beginning of November. Check out our Thanksgiving post templates, Thanksgiving stories, and G is for Grateful collections for some inspiration.
Marketing into the new year
It's almost time to say bye to 2020! It's been an interesting year to say the least, and we're ready to head into 2021! Learn how to prepare a 2021 marketing plan for your small business and explore some easy resolutions for your business to launch into the new year!
