If you're unsure when to start holiday marketing, the time is now. A growing number of shoppers complete their holiday shopping well before the holidays. One recent survey found that around 40% of shoppers do all their holiday shopping months in advance to avoid the effects of inflation. The convenience of online shopping and other factors have further contributed to early holiday shopping. The following are steps to take to get started with your next holiday marketing campaign.
1. Create a radio ad campaign
When starting your campaigns, consider using talk radio advertising. This channel is one of the best ways to connect with audiences, as radio endorsements carry a lot of credibility. One study found that 77% of radio listeners would try a product or brand a favorite radio personality endorses.
If you can have personalities and stations that share your audience, connect with them, and try to obtain an endorsement using radio ads.
2. Deploy a digital marketing campaign
Another strategy to use is holiday digital marketing, which is one of the top marketing must-haves. You can promote holiday promotions and deals using a combination of digital media.
Some examples of these campaigns can use:
Email marketing remains one of the best ways to connect with consumers. Millions of people use email, which gives your brand plenty of chances to gain exposure and awareness. Furthermore, people typically dedicate time to reading their email. It's also among the most cost-effective marketing strategies you can use, generating an average ROI of $36 per dollar spent on these campaigns.
Build your email list by focusing on your target audience, then send them promotional emails to get people excited about the holidays. Advertise certain promotions and sales leading up to the holidays, or note early deals to get better rates, which will keep you top of mind ahead of the season.
Display Ads
You should also use a variety of paid display ads to reach users across the internet—wherever they browse. These ads can appear on many websites, applications, and other digital media. You can also use these ads for retargeting those who visit your website. With enough exposure, your retargeting ads can encourage people to return to your website to complete their holiday shopping or return to your site.
Social Media
Social media offers a great way to communicate with people before the holidays and during the season as you launch ongoing promotions. Work toward gaining new followers and connecting with existing ones. You can do so through ads, posts, holiday-themed contests, and other content. Just be sure to target the platforms your audiences use most often. Doing so will help ensure your marketing budget doesn't go to waste on ineffective campaigns on ineffective platforms.
3. Sponsor community events
If your community engages in certain events, get involved by becoming a sponsor. There are plenty of holiday events that take place across Springfield, like Old Capitol Holiday Walks downtown and Light up the Park in Chatham. Do your research and find one that aligns with your values and industry. Local events allow you to establish a direct connection with the community, making your marketing resonate more. You can promote holiday deals during these events that get people's attention. It also shows you're eager to get involved and give back to the community.
4. Try an integrated strategy
You need an integrated strategy to get the best results from your holiday marketing efforts. That involves using radio and digital advertising together to build a relationship with audiences ahead of the holidays.
These campaigns can interconnect effectively, reaching prospects in multiple ways and developing awareness and credibility through variety. For example, you can use radio to reach out to audiences through an endorsement. A radio personality can encourage listeners to visit your website to learn about upcoming holiday deals and sales. People may then see one of your ads and visit your website, where they wouldn’t have noticed it otherwise. Even if people don’t purchase the first time they visit your site, retargeting ads can encourage them to come back and buy later.
Thanks to a radio endorsement, people may also want to follow you on social media or other channels. That helps you connect with them over time, using even more campaigns to drive awareness and sales.
Experience success with the help of Mid-West Family
Using the best marketing channels for small business holiday marketing campaigns can help you gain some traction before the season. Even if you know which channels to use, you might not have the time and resources to give your campaigns the necessary attention. If that’s the case, consider connecting with a media partner like Mid-West Family Springfield IL.
