Every year it seems the Christmas trees and inflatable lawn Santas spend more and more time on display with the Halloween candy. Some people (me) find it irritating that big box retailers are strong-arming us into thinking about the holidays in September. But as the old saying goes, “if you ain’t first, you’re last.”
For small businesses, this is the most hectic time of the year. Holiday social media marketing strategies have been planned, vetted, and reviewed, but now comes the really difficult part: following through 100%. As the season picks up pace, it’s easy to lose your TikTok steam amidst the rush of fluctuating promotions, and personal obligations. But remember, maintaining a steady rhythm on social media will maximize your sales through this high-stakes season.
Here are some tips to help you stick to your holiday marketing strategy, stay consistent, and make sure your brand shines on social media from start to finish.
Stick to Your Content Calendar!
A well-planned content calendar is your best friend during the holidays!* Outline key promotions, holiday themes, and important dates in advance to stay organized. Scheduling social media posts, emails, and ads ensures your content goes out on time, so even during the busiest weeks, you have one less thing to worry about. You can (and should) create new posts on the fly as trends pop up, but having a base calendar will prevent you from scrambling to keep up.
*Wait - what?! You didn’t make a holiday content calendar? IT’S OKAY, WE’VE STILL GOT YOU! Just take a deep breath, and take a look back at our Complete Guide to Creating a Content Calendar! (smiley face emoji)
Use Automation Tools
It’s never too late to automate your marketing tasks! It could be midnight on Dec. 5, but if you schedule six social media posts in Buffer, Hootsuite, Instagram, or Meta Suite, we guarantee you’ll wake up feeling like a thousand bucks.
Marketing automation is the best way to stay on top of tasks without constant manual work. Use these tools for emails, social media posting, and even customer support. This keeps your brand active online while freeing up time for strategy adjustments and real-time interactions with customers. Remember to write in your brand voice and include those personal elements wherever possible.
Be Ready to Adjust and Adapt
As the holidays approach, customer needs and interests shift. In late November and early December, people are searching for gifts, while in the final week, they may be focusing on last-minute deals or New Year’s essentials. Adjust your messaging to reflect these shifts, but keep the tone and visuals consistent. Consistent branding builds familiarity and trust, ensuring that your messages resonate across different channels.
Engage with Your Audience!
Engagement is a two-way street. Don’t let your audience’s comments, messages, or questions go unanswered. Responding to queries and interacting with comments fosters a sense of community and makes customers feel valued, which is especially important during the holiday season. Positive feedback is a goldmine of free content, so Like, RT, and when you’re tagged in a happy customer's post, smash that “ADD TO STORY” icon!
Evaluate Regularly
Daily performance checks on your campaigns are crucial during the holidays. Metrics such as click-through rates, engagement, and conversion rates provide valuable insight into what’s working and what needs tweaking. For example, if a certain promotion is getting more traction than expected, consider amplifying it with additional ad spend or extending its timeline. Regular evaluations allow you to pivot QUICKLY, optimizing your marketing efforts for maximum impact!
Consistency is Key
Staying consistent and active on your social media channels during the holidays isn’t just about pushing sales. It’s about maintaining a presence to reassure customers of your brand’s reliability and commitment to them. By keeping your marketing on track and adjusting along the way, you’ll ensure your holiday season is successful and sets a positive tone for the year ahead. Stay engaged, organized, and flexible to make the most of this festive season!
If you feel overwhelmed by the process and need some assistance, get in touch with us to see how we can support your marketing needs!
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