3 WONDERFUL WINTER MARKETING TIPS TO ENSURE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

Holiday shoppers are out in droves this time of year, both in the malls and online, and it is imperative that your business stands above the competition. Winter is also the time of year your business can give back to its employees and loyal customers, as well as the community. The following three tips will help guide your business through the hectic holiday and winter season.

No. 1: Target specific holidays and events. Winter and the holiday season don’t just mean Christmas. You should also consider marketing for Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve/Day. Keeping all of these end-of-year celebrations in mind will help your business customize and personalize its marketing tactics to specific, niche groups of customers. 

No. 2: Do something special for your loyal clientele and people in need. There are a plethora of ways to spread the spirit of giving during the holiday season. Knowing your audience is the key to making them feel appreciated. As a business owner, why not express your gratitude through free giveaways, holiday-themed contests, special events, offers, and discounts? Go above and beyond by collecting food items for the hungry, toys for children via Toys for Tots, whose mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys each holiday season and distribute them as Christmas gifts to children in need; winter coats for kids in need through Operation Warm, which works year-round to create colorful winter coats made just for kids; or shoes to help people in need step out of poverty with Soles4Souls, a not-for-profit global social enterprise committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing. 

No. 3: Utilize mobile marketing. Smartphones have become part of our daily lives, which means mobile marketing is a must, and it can actually increase customer loyalty and conversions. Target your brand’s messages, as customers no longer want generic messages about your offering. Instead, send out messages according to the interests and preferences of your target audience. Conduct research via surveys and categorize your customer and client lists accordingly. You should also automate push notifications, coupons and promotions to be sent at optimal times. Keep in mind that geolocation abilities can also remind people of special deals when they’re within a certain radius of your business. It also imperative to craft gift guides that are optimized for mobile phones, thus ensuring that your mobile customers can see and browse your holiday offers.