The holidays are the most wonderful, and busiest, time of the year. Having a solid marketing calendar can be your ticket to keeping things on track and supporting your holiday marketing strategy. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just diving into holiday campaigns, this guide will help you prepare for a successful season.
1. List the Holidays That Matter Most to Your Audience
The holiday season isn’t one-size-fits-all. Think about your audience and their unique preferences. Of course, Christmas and New Year’s are a given, but are there other dates your customers care about, like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Small Business Saturday? Start broad, then focus on what aligns best with your brand and audience.
For example, if you’re targeting gift shoppers, Cyber Monday is non-negotiable. If your audience loves small gestures, emphasize Giving Tuesday. Plan ahead and remember: festive vibes start as early as late October (How to Make a Holiday Marketing Calendar: Key Dates and Tips, 2023).
2. Set Your Seasonal Goals
The holidays are busy, don’t let them get to you! Define what you want to accomplish. Are you boosting sales with gift-ready bundles? Building awareness with a “12 Days of Christmas” Instagram series? Be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) (Leonard, 2024) when setting goals.
Here’s a pro tip: keep room for flexibility. Sometimes a last-minute trend might pop up, and having wiggle room is important.
3. Mix It Up with Your Content
People love variety during the holidays, so have fun with your content!
Some ideas:
- Gift Guides: Showcase your products as the perfect gifts for different demographics.
- Interactive Content: Polls, quizzes, or contests (e.g., “What’s your holiday shopping personality?”).
- Feel-Good Stories: Highlight customer testimonials or give back with charity partnerships.
Remember, not every post has to scream “BUY NOW.” Spread cheer, entertain, and build connections.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out this guide on Holiday Social Media Campaign Ideas for Small Businesses for tips tailored to creating engaging posts that resonate with your audience.
4. Timing Is Everything
Start early! Many shoppers begin looking for holiday deals in October (yes, October!). Map out when to launch promotions, schedule email campaigns, and post festive content. A good starting point:
- Late October: Tease holiday vibes.
- Early November: Drop deals for early-bird shoppers.
- December: Focus on last-minute shoppers and experiential gifts (like gift cards).
Don’t forget to stagger your promotions across platforms to avoid overwhelming your audience
5. Give your profile a seasonal update
Give your brand a seasonal glow-up. Update your website with festive colors, add snowflakes to your logo, or create an Instagram filter that screams holiday spirit. Even small touches, like swapping product photos for holiday-themed ones, make a big impact.
6. Track, Learn, and Celebrate Wins
Analytics are your best friend during the holidays. Monitor which campaigns perform best and note trends for next year. But don’t forget to celebrate your wins, whether it’s hitting sales targets or simply making someone’s holiday brighter with your content (How to Make a Holiday Marketing Calendar: Key Dates and Tips, 2023).
Planning ahead doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, think of it as designing a blueprint for holiday cheer. Start early, stay flexible, and have fun creating campaigns that bring your brand and audience closer together.
Ready to make this your brand’s best holiday season yet? Let’s get started!