Last Minute Holiday Marketing Tips
There is less than a month of shopping days left before the holidays! If that thought ties your stomach up in knots, then most likely you are either a procrastinator with a long shopping list or a business owner who has only just realized that you need a seasonal marketing strategy. Although the impending gift-giving frenzy represents a golden opportunity for virtually any business, marketing and sales challenges during this hectic and stressful time of year can often be overwhelming. At McCauley Services, our team of marketing professionals works closely with our clients to organize and plan holiday marketing strategies well in advance, so that we can integrate all of the diverse pieces seamlessly. However, we also understand that it can be easy to get caught flat-footed, so here are some helpful, last minute tips to help you get your seasonal marketing in gear before it’s too late.
Double Down on Social Media
While print ads and blogging should be an ongoing staple of any content marketing strategy, these venues can sometimes be labor intensive, and may require a complicated approval process, printing, or distribution before they make it to the attention of your customers. Social media, however, can often give you a more immediate connection. A few coordinated posts on Twitter and Facebook, timed to catch prospective customers while they are out looking for holiday gifts, can potentially drive a surge of traffic to your door. Don’t forget that you can often attract extra attention by making effective use of hashtags. Simple terms that you expect to be popular, like #Thanksgiving or #BlackFriday, naturally insert your posts into a much larger conversation while specialized terms unique to your business will let niche customers know that you have exactly what they need.
Prepare for the On-Line Blitz
As online shopping grows ever more popular and convenient, more and more people are turning to the internet to complete their holiday preparations. With just a few well-placed special offers, prominently displayed on your website, and some keyword customization you can focus your search engine optimization (SEO) effort and keep your online presence prominent. Making sure that your website is mobile friendly, so that it can be easily accessed by people from mobile phones and tablets while on the go will reduce frustrations and help you pull in even more web traffic.
Cater to the Busy Consumer
Your customers will undoubtedly be stressed during this time of year, and their calendars will be packed, so anything that you can do to make their shopping process more convenient or pleasurable will pay off in brand loyalty down the line. Consider hiring some extra help to expedite purchases, offer special services, or just to field online questions and complaints. When time runs short, tempers can run hot, so a marketing specialist that is able to efficiently handle customer relationship management can be a great asset to your team. Even a small amount of added convenience can make consumers more likely to choose you over your competitors, especially when their schedules are pinched.
Our team at McCauley Marketing Services can help you manage your holiday marketing crunch and then work with you to develop comprehensive marketing plans designed to benefit your business both now and in many years to come. If you would like to explore how we can help you, schedule a marketing meeting today. We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to share your tips and recommendations.