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Holiday Marketing: Sleigh Your Sales Strategy

Stuart Crawford

Welcome
Effective holiday marketing goes beyond slapping a Santa hat on your logo. It's about tapping into the feelings and nostalgia this season brings.

Holiday Marketing: Sleigh Your Sales Strategy

Oh, the holidays – that enchanting season when the world becomes a little brighter, bellies a little fuller and wallets… well, a little lighter. From twinkling lights to carols on repeat, it’s a time that brings people together. But for businesses? It poses one shining opportunity to jingle to the bank.

However, with so many companies competing for those hard-earned holiday bucks, finding a needle in a tinsel-filled haystack can be easier! And that’s where holiday marketing comes in, ya filthy animals – your secret weapon to sleighing the competition.

Why Holiday Marketing Matters

Are you still waiting to sell this festive frenzy the attention it deserves? Well, pour yourself an eggnog and listen up! The holiday season is about more than just ripping open presents; for many businesses, it represents 20-30% of annual sales.

Think about it: people feel generous, wallets are open wide, begging you to solve their gift-giving woes. It’s like being handed a giant candy cane… made of money!

So, if you want a piece of that tasty holiday pie, you better start creating thoughtfully decorated marketing campaigns. We’re talking ones so bright and merry they’d make Rudolph’s nose look like an old dusty lightbulb.

Deck the Halls with a Solid Strategy

Coca Cola Logo Design Santa
Coca-Cola's Christmas cans take retro inspiration from past holiday designs.

Timing is (Like) Everything

In the world of holiday marketing, timing is more crucial than Grandma's famous fruitcake recipe. Start too early, and you'll blend right into the sea of red and green. It's too late. You might as well hang up your stockings and call it a day.

The sweet spot? Early to mid-November. This is when those visions of sugarplums start dancing in people's heads. Get in there with top-notch promotions and creative yuletide magic before the competition raises the jingle volume.

Embracing Your Inner Elf

Effective holiday marketing goes beyond slapping a Santa hat on your logo (although that's always a nice touch). It's about tapping into the cosy feelings and nostalgia this season brings.

Think warm fuzzies—heartwarming tales. Festive traditions remind us why we love… (tolerate?) our relatives in the first place. Inject some of that holly jolly spirit into your messaging and visuals, and you'll have folks' hot chocolatin' all over your promos.

Sleigh Bells and Selling Points

While holiday cheer is a big part of the equation, remember: people are still out there, credit cards in hand, looking to solve their gifting conundrums. This is where those unique selling points come in!

What makes your products or services a proper present among the rest? Is it unbeatable quality? Unmatched convenience? The ability to make even your weird uncle smile? Figure out what puts that twinkle in your customers' eyes, and you'll be on your sleigh ride to success.

Jingle All the Way: Top Holiday Campaigns

Elf On The Shelf Holiday Marketing

The Elf on a Shelf Craze

Few holiday marketing phenoms have captured our hearts (and ad dollars) quite like the Elf on a Shelf fad. This cheeky little tradition has parents scrambling to find creative new hiding spots while documenting the whole shenanigan-filled affair on social media.

And retailers? They've been too happy to elf themselves up, incorporating the big-eyed scout into everything from product displays to full-blown ad campaigns. It's an interactive experience that brings the holiday magic into people's homes…and straight to the cash register.

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Buddy the Elf: A Marketing Masterclass

Speaking of elves, we don't want to mention the marketing tour-de-force that is Buddy the Elf. This overgrown man-child, brought to life by the hilarious Will Ferrell, has become a modern Christmas classic.

Brands have fully embraced the Buddy-mania, from quoting his iconic lines to recreating those dopey dance moves. Fashion labels, food companies, and even tech giants – have all gotten in on the fun, translating his infectious enthusiasm into holiday promos galore. If marketing were a machine, these campaigns would be the delightfully sugary syrup that keeps it running.

Get In the Spirit Across Channels

Best Holiday Marketing Campaign Strategies

Deck the Digital Halls

When it comes to unwrapping holiday success, having a solid digital presence is the most significant present. We're talking email promos that'd make Santa proud, social media shenanigans to rival the best ugly sweater parties, and maybe even a festive jingle you can TikTok dance your way right into consumers' hearts.

The sky's the limit here, folks! User-generated contests, exclusive online sales, even a cheeky holiday rebrand – think about the kind of digital wow factor that'll have your audience saying, “Oh, what fun!

Rock the Brick-and-Mortar

But let's remember the power of good old-fashioned real-life experiences. A decked-out retail space can be your biggest holiday asset!

We're talking window displays brighter than Rudolph's glow. In-store events that'd make the Grinch crack a smile. Holiday-themed product demos to lure in curious shoppers. Bring out the tinsel cannons and sleigh those IRL shoppers!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Here's a little insider tip: the festive fun doesn't have to stop when the ball drops on New Year's Eve. Extending that holly jolly energy a little longer can give your brand some serious staying power.

Think about it: people are still catching their breath (and emptying their wallets) from the holiday whirlwind. A few choice promotions or feel-good campaigns celebrating the New Year? Chef's kiss! It's the gift that keeps giving… to your bottom line.

Holiday Marketing Hacks to Sleigh

Holiday Marketing Ideas Tips Tricks

Are we feeling merry and bright about this whole holiday marketing gig? Wonderful! But we'd be Grinches not to share some of our tried-and-true tips for stellar seasonal campaigns.

Spread That Festivi-tea

Look, we get it: the holidays are a busy time for everyone. Consumers are being bombarded with more promotions than visions of sugar plums. The solution? Get in their cosy little corners with strategic influencer marketing!

Find those lifestyle bloggers, vloggers, or Insta celebs with a knack for all things holiday. Then, craft up some festive tea they'd be delighted to spill all over their loyal fanbases. It's the perfect way to cut through the noise and slide your holiday message into their daily festive feeds.

Make Data-Backed Decisions

Anyone can throw together a half-baked holiday promo and hope for the best…but you're better than that, right? Right! Savvy holiday marketers use all that pretty little data at their fingertips.

Study up on previous campaigns to see what jingles those bells: Analyse audience behaviours and shopping trends. You could even dig into demographics to target different holiday promos. The more insights you've got, the merrier your marketing results will be!

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Host Giveaways Galore

Here's something just about everyone loves more than Great-Aunt Mildred's fruitcake: free stuff! So why not show some extra holiday cheer with giveaways and contests galore?

You could grand prize it with a big-ticket giveaway to grab people's attention. Or fun little promos and games layered throughout the season, keeping that engagement going all December long. Reward entries for follows, shares, you name it – anything to jingle those refer-a-friend bells!

Partner Up for Twice the Festivity

They say two-holiday heads are better than one…or something like that. The point is that strategic co-marketing and partner promotions can be gifts that keep on giving!

By teaming up with savvy brands in complementing industries, you can cross-pollinate on campaigns that wow. Brainstorm relevant giveaways and pop-up events; you could even go all out with customised product bundles. Think of it as a big old festive mash-up. Your audience will gobble right up!

How the Grinch Stole…Awful Holiday Campaigns

Bad Christmas Marketing Holiday Cartoon

There are always a few campaigns that make us laugh till we cry (in a good way) every holiday season — and then there are some total duds. Not every promotional effort can be Buddy the Elf levels of obnoxiously endearing.

So, what separates the naughty from the nice? Why is one-holiday campaign an Instagrammable winter wonderland while another gets tossed aside like a stale fruitcake? Here are some major marketing no-no’s to avoid:

Getting Too Grinchy

We love injecting personality into our holiday marketing magic. A cheeky pun here, a funny meme there — it’s all part of catching that festive je ne sais quoi, you know? But here’s the trick: You’ve got to know where to draw the line.

While tongue-in-cheek can give you an edge, you don’t want to cross over into full-on Ebenezer Scrooge mode. Stay away from anything overly sarcastic, cynical or just plain mean-spirited. Keep that holiday spirit alive!

Cultural Cluelessness

Your promos will likely reach people from various cultural backgrounds in today's globalised world. And as they say, Assumptions are the fruitcakes of life.

Research to ensure your holiday campaigns resonate without inadvertently disrespecting or misrepresenting someone’s beliefs or traditions. Cultural appropriation will send you straight to the Island of Misfit Toys.

Overhyped Letdowns

As visions of sugar plums (and record-breaking sales numbers) dance in our heads this time of year, it’s easy to get caught up in fairytale-level excitement. But beware! If you're not careful, that hype machine can quickly become everyone’s worst nightmare before Christmas.

Whether it’s an underwhelming promotion or a disappointing product experience — failing to live up to those lofty expectations is a significant holiday marketing blunder. And with this season’s revenue numbers on the line, the last thing you want is a bunch of disgruntled customers asking for rain checks.

Forgetting “The Reason”

No matter which holidays you celebrate, some deeper meaning or lesson is usually buried beneath all that tinsel and wrapping paper. Peace, joy, gratitude, inclusion — the warm and fuzzies that make this time of year unique.

But as tempting as it is to get all commercial about things — forgetting those core “reason for the season” values is a surefire way to turn people off. Keep it meaningful amid all the rampant consumerism. You’ll score major points for being authentic and thoughtful.

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Sleighing Holiday Marketing Success

Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns Spotify

You've crafted a pitch-perfect holiday campaign that's every bit as jolly as it is strategic. Festive messaging? Check. On-point promotions? Check. Ample doses of all-around merriment? Oh, you'd better believe that's a quarantine-sized check!

So, what's next? How do you take this hard-won holiday work and turn it into year-round sales…err, cheer?

Keep That Festive Feeling Alive

Here's the thing: you don't have to tombstone that holiday magic once the decorations come down ultimately. A subtle sprinkling of seasonal spirit all year long can keep your fans engaged and in good cheer.

We're talking surprise peppermint product drops for Valentine's Day. Cleverly integrated Easter… bunnies? (Hey, don't knock it till you try it.) You could even parlay that goodwill into seasonal charity tie-ins for the slow periods. It's a festive thread that keeps on giving!

Nurture Those Noble Newcomers

Every holiday season sees an influx of fresh faces amid your usual loyal clientele. After all, people are actively seeking out gifting solutions and impulse buys. But rather than waving goodbye once the tinsel settles, put in the work to convert those newcomers into loyal followers!

Dish out exclusive offers and impressive onboarding experiences to get them hooked. Build out gift registries and subscription services to keep them coming back for more. With strategic long-term nurturing, you could be celebrating year-round customer growth.

Rally Your Biggest Supporters

While you're busy charming all those fresh newcomers, remember the real VIPs: your raving, long-time fans. These are your trusty Bumbles who'd follow you into any snow-covered wilderness!

Come up with exciting ways to activate and delight this crew during the high-stakes holiday period—bonus points for clever loyalty promotions and influencer collaborations that amplify their beloved super fandom. Have an army of merry supporters hyping you up? Now, that's a gift that'll keep you sleighing all year!

Holiday Marketing: The Wrap-Up

As hectic as those peak shopping seasons may be, strategising around critical holidays is a no-brainer for any savvy marketer. Done right, it's an unbeatable opportunity to attract droves of warm-bodied customers and move that metaphorical needle.

But more than just raking in some seasonal scratch, truly Grade-A holiday marketing is about so much more. It's capturing the magic that makes these occasions so unique. It's forging connections that turn first-time shoppers into lifelong followers. It's giving your brand the kind of seasonal spirit people can't help but obsess over!

So go forth and sleigh, marketers! Craft campaigns so vibrant and jolly they'd make even old St. Nick proud. The perfect marriage of planning and creativity is the ultimate present to unwrap – one with sales and smiles in spades!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some examples of successful holiday marketing campaigns?

The Elf on the Shelf tradition that took social media by storm
Buddy, the Elf from the movie “Elf”, inspired countless brand activations
Starbucks' iconic red holiday cups that signal the season's arrival
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting that draws massive sponsorships
Coca-Cola's classic “Holidays are Coming” truck tour

What channels work best for holiday marketing?

An effective holiday marketing strategy is an omnichannel affair! Top channels include email, social media, influencer marketing, in-store experiences, and good ol' word-of-mouth. Strategic combinations and sequencing across multiple touchpoints are key.

How can you make holiday promotions stand out?

Focus on actual added value (gifts, BOGO deals, etc.), interactive experiences, nostalgia plays, and holiday-themed products/services to cut the clutter. User-generated content campaigns and influencer collaborations also stand out.

What are some holiday marketing mistakes to avoid?

Big no-nos include being culturally insensitive or tone-deaf, over-hyping offerings you can't deliver, and forgetting the deeper meaning behind holidays. You'll also want to avoid looking like a total Grinch with overly sarcastic or cynical messaging.

How can you extend the holiday magic year-round?

Sprinkle in seasonal product drops, charity campaigns, and evergreen feel-good content to keep the holiday spirit alive all year. Retention and loyalty nurturing for new holiday customers is crucial for prolonging that festive feeling.

What metrics matter most for holiday marketing?

While the usual KPIs apply (web traffic, conversions, etc.), pay close attention to customer lifetime value and social engagement. Holiday ROI often plays out well beyond the season when working to convert new fans.

Spread That Holiday Happiness with Every Word

The very best holiday marketing campaigns do more than just hawk products. Through thoughtful storytelling and genuine holiday hearts, they spark feelings of childlike delight in audiences of all ages.

Keep this in mind as you craft each merry message. By infusing the warm magic of the season into every piece of copy, you'll create an experience that genuinely resonates at this particular time of year.

So let that jolly wordsmith inside you shine! Joy, laughter, and surprises await any brand that taps into their inner elf and delivers the gift of holiday happiness through unforgettable marketing moments.

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Written By
Stuart Crawford
Stuart Crawford is an award-winning creative director and brand strategist with over 15 years of experience building memorable and influential brands. As Creative Director at Inkbot Design, a leading branding agency, Stuart oversees all creative projects and ensures each client receives a customised brand strategy and visual identity.

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