With Thanksgiving just around the corner and Christmas and Chanukah a mere 34 days away, it is apparent that the holiday season is upon us. In the retail world that means it’s time to ramp up your marketing and advertising efforts to close out Q4 sales on a high note.
It’s true that this season can be convoluted with messages from a variety of products, brands, causes, and events – but there are many strategic ways to take advantage of consumer’s shopping patterns and close a sale. It’s a must to maximize touch points on the shopper journey, from start to finish.
It is no surprise that online shopping will continue to see big numbers this year. Shoppers say that 47% of their holiday shopping budget will go to online spending. What does that mean for business and brands? Pushing online advertising is paramount.
Make use of all applicable online platforms. Retargeting is a useful tool particularly during this season when shoppers are more likely to take action and purchase amidst their browsing for gift ideas. Meet people where they are at daily, on social media. Social media is the place where you can really make content fun. Get the word out in a more personal campaign. Imagery and content should evoke emotion – be it humor, joy, sentimentality. Utilize low cost social media ad spends like site traffic ads or boosted posts on Facebook to drive traffic to your landing page or website. Don’t forget to take advantage of SEM. SEM will allow you to target your customer profile. You can also create a schedule to boost your bids during prime shopping weekends of the season. Pushing a promotion or messaging a deal is a good way to consistently catch viewers’ attention.
It’s also important to note that despite online shopping spends, shoppers claim that another 47% of their holiday shopping budget will go to purchases from a brick & mortar store. This means you not only must be creating continuity between your online and in-store messaging but start providing an experience that a screen cannot. Promoting value-added services like an in-store personal shopper to help with gift ideas and getting in and out of the store fast. Visual merchandising is another way to make your shoppers’ visit worthwhile. Evoke an experience loaded with holiday feels through displays and signage – this is something that people cannot get online.
Knowing where to start can be overwhelming, and having a solidified strategy with measurable goals is clutch for success. So if you’re looking for some last minute help revving up your holiday campaign? Give us a shout!
