The holidays are coming, and if Christmas marketing hasn't even made it onto your to-do list, you're not alone. Here's how to catch up without spending hours creating content.
Let's be honest. One minute you're thinking about fall, pumpkin spice and Halloween, and the next thing you know, Christmas is right around the corner!
If your holiday marketing strategy currently consists of a few random ideas floating around in your head, take a deep breath. There's still time to connect with customers, promote your products and services, and make the most of the holiday shopping season.
The secret? Don't overthink it. You don't need an elaborate marketing campaign, a professional photo shoot or a perfectly planned content calendar. You need a few good ideas, some consistency and a reason for people to engage with your business.
Let's get started!
First Things First: Keep It Simple
Before you start creating graphics and writing captions, think about what you want customers to know.
What products or services make great holiday gifts?
Are you offering holiday specials or promotions?
Do you sell gift cards?
Do you have special holiday hours?
Are there deadlines customers need to know about?
What makes shopping small and supporting your business worthwhile?
You don't have to promote everything at once. Pick two or three priorities and build your content around them.
Your Quick-and-Easy Holiday Content Calendar
Need something to post TODAY? Here are 12 easy content ideas to get your holiday marketing moving.
1. It's Holiday Shopping Season!
Announce that you're ready for the holidays. Highlight what customers can find when they shop with you.
2. The Gift Guide
Create a simple graphic or carousel featuring three to five products or services that would make great gifts.
3. Meet the Business Owner
Share a photo of yourself or your team. Talk about what you're looking forward to this holiday season and thank customers for supporting your business.
4. The Gift Card Reminder
Do you offer gift cards? Remind customers that they're an easy gift for the person who has everything.
5. Behind the Scenes
Show customers what happens behind the scenes. Preparing orders, decorating your space, creating products or getting ready for the holiday rush all make great content.
6. Small Business Saturday
Encourage your audience to shop local and support small businesses. Remind them that every purchase makes a difference.
7. The Customer Favorite
Highlight a best-selling product, popular service or customer favorite. Social proof is a great way to encourage purchases.
8. The Last-Minute Gift Idea
Position your products or services as the perfect solution for shoppers who are running out of time.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Answer a question customers commonly ask. Think shipping, ordering, appointment availability, pricing or holiday hours.
10. Share a Customer Review
Feature a testimonial or positive review. Let your happy customers help tell your story.
11. Holiday Hours & Deadlines
Make sure customers know when you're open, when orders must be placed and when services are available.
12. A Holiday Thank You
Take a moment to thank your customers for supporting your business throughout the year. A little appreciation goes a long way.
A Few Tips to Make Holiday Marketing Easier
You don't need to reinvent the wheel every time you post.
Reuse your content. Turn one product photo into a Facebook post, Instagram Story and short Reel.
Use video. A quick 15- to 30-second video introducing a product or answering a customer question can be more engaging than another graphic.
Add a clear call to action. Tell people what to do next: Shop now, book an appointment, send us a message or visit our website.
Don't forget your website. Update your homepage, add holiday promotions and make sure your contact information and hours are current.
Be consistent. A few thoughtful posts each week are better than posting five times in one day and disappearing until Christmas.
Remember: Your Customers Can't Buy What They Don't Know About!
One of the biggest marketing mistakes small business owners make during the holidays is assuming customers already know what they offer.
They don't.
You have to remind them. Show them. Tell them why your products or services make great gifts. Give them a reason to visit your website, stop by your store or book an appointment.
And most importantly, don't let the pressure to create perfect content keep you from posting anything at all.
Start with one post. Then another. Build some momentum and keep showing up.
Need a little help getting your holiday marketing on track?
That's where I come in! I help small businesses create websites and social media content that build visibility, connect with customers and make marketing a little less overwhelming.
Let's make sure your business doesn't get lost in the holiday noise!
Ready for a little marketing help? Let's talk!
