It’s the most wonderful time of the year - and for most businesses, it’s the busiest time too! We’re rapidly heading towards the Christmas season and end-of-year rush, but don’t let stress ruin your festive cheer this year.
If Christmas isn’t your thing and doesn’t align with your business or brand, you can still take this opportunity to show some gratitude for clients and staff in the happy holiday spirit.
Get prepared for the silly season with PDC and let our Twelve Tips of Christmas be your guide to maximising your holiday marketing success
This is probably the best piece of advice we can give you: start organising yesterday! Starting your Christmas planning early is crucial for a smooth holiday season, no matter your business or brand.
You can plan your marketing in advance too - why not create a content calendar for the busy season? Think about how you want to market your business thisChristmas, and determine the optimal posting frequency to maintain a strong online presence.
We recommend aiming for 3 posts across the week with a mix of content to incorporate information about your products, services, people, and culture.
Set campaign launch dates and schedule social media posts in advance, and outline your holiday-themed content and promotions. This calendar serves as a roadmap, helping you execute your marketing strategy smoothly and efficiently through the holiday season.
Not sure where to start? Get in touch with the PDC marketing team and let us take care of your social media for the silly season and beyond: https://www.pdccreative.co.nz/services-pages/social-media-management
Think of your website as your digital storefront: during the holidays it should have a festive ambiance. Consider incorporating seasonal colours or add Christmas imagery like snowflakes or ornaments to banners and backgrounds. A little Christmas cheer is always a nice touch during the holiday season, why not add some NZ flair with pohutukawa flowers or a pair of jandals to tie in a summer Christmas spirit!
If you sell products or offer services on your website, consider adding a countdown timer to Christmas on your homepage. Using the Christmas deadline creates a sense of urgency and excitement for visitors to your site, encouraging them to explore your holiday deals before time runs out.
Check out how PDC can upgrade your website for the festive season and beyond here.
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Why not start your customer’s shopping for them and create a gift guide with products from your business?
Organise products and services into categories or themes to make it easier for shoppers to find the perfect gifts for everyone on their list - think “Must-Have Gifts for Mum” or “Teen Gifting Guide”.
This can be a great way to showcase how your product and services can become a great gift that they may not have thought of.
Make sure to add some festive imagery, as well as providing detailed descriptions, high-quality product and service images, with clear pricing info.
Gift guides can be shared on your business’s social media or shared directly to your customers through email marketing too. Make shopping enjoyable and convenient, helping customers check off their gift lists effortlessly. Stress-free Christmas shopping? Yes please!
Social media is an awesome tool for connecting with your audience during the holidays, take advantage of it with a range of holiday-themed content to keep your followers engaged.
Think about your brand or business and what kind of content suits you best:
Why not share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business preparing for the season; not only is it fun, but it can humanise your brand and create a sense of authenticity.
Christmas is a great time to reflect, so take a nostalgic trip down memory lane by posting a throwback to your business or brand’s first Christmas and share the journey you’ve taken since then.
When it comes to corporate gifts, don’t be afraid to think beyond the standard card and bottle of wine this year. Corporate gifting is more than just a gesture: it’s an opportunity to show your appreciation and build stronger connections with your clients, customers, or employees. The right gift can leave a lasting impression and even boost business prospects.
Consider how your brand identity aligns with the gifts you offer. Personalisation is key. Tailor gifts to your client’s preferences and interests. Incorporate your branding by including your logo or a custom message. Unique and thoughtful corporate gifts leave a lasting impression and can strengthen business relationships. If you’re feeling stuck, check out PDC’s corporate gift guide here:
Make sure you’re catching your customer’s email info and sending out updates on sales and new products or services, no matter the season!
Email marketing can be a particularly powerful tool during the holiday season. Create compelling email campaigns that resonate with your customers, and be sure to craft short attention-grabbing subject lines to increase open rates. The targeted the better. ‘Sale’ or‘ Hurry last chance’ doesn't stand out in your inbox if everyone is sending the same email so think outside the box. A well-chosen emoji in your subject line can also make you stand out from the crowd too so be clever with your choices.
Physio: “Limber up for Christmas”
Utilities: “Now that’s cooking with Gas!”
For the festive season, you might consider running exclusive contests or giveaways with attractive Christmas-themed prizes.
Streamline email marketing by using email automation to send personalised holiday greetings and promotions - or let PDC handle it for you! A well-planned email marketing strategy can drive sales, increase brand awareness, and foster customer loyalty during this festive time. However, be sure not to spam customers’ inboxes with updates and promos, as this can annoy more than attract!
To many businesses, the festive season means one thing: sales! Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Boxing Day sales are huge selling opportunities, so make sure you don’t miss out on the shopping frenzy: start planning your promotional strategies now to ensure your business stands out in the crowd.
To attract and retain customers during the holidays, offer enticing discounts and promotions. Clearly communicate the value of your discounts and promotions through your marketing channels to maximise impact. Tailor these offers to cater to both loyal customers and those who are new to your business. Loyalty cards are a great way to entice new customers and reward repeat business.
If your business offers gift cards, promote them as a thoughtful solution for customers struggling to find the perfect Christmas gift for the difficult“ person who has everything!”
The holiday season is synonymous with giving. Take this opportunity to launch a charity campaign, to not only spread joy but also enhance your brand’s reputation. If your brand already does some charitable work, Christmas is a great time to showcase this on your social media in the spirit of giving back and spreading joy.
Think about your business or brand, and do some research into charitable organisations that suit your ethos. You could reach out and partner with a charity that aligns with your values and mission, or dedicate a portion of your holiday sales to your chosen cause and communicate this initiative to your customers. Be sure to encourage your customers to participate, and even offer to match their contributions!
Giving back to a good cause this time of year creates a sense of goodwill for your brand or business, and is a clever and kind way to enhance your reputation in the marketplace.
The holiday season is a hectic time, and your people play a pivotal role in ensuring your business's success. Whether you’re in trades, retail, hospitality, or production, your staff will be working their hardest to keep customers happy and push through as many orders and jobs as possible before Christmas deadlines. A little gesture of kindness can go a long way in boosting morale and showing that you care.
To show your appreciation and support for their hard work, consider putting together some care packages for your employees. These packages could include essential items to keep their spirits and motivation high: think about including snacks, energy drinks, coffee vouchers, and small treats that provide a moment of relaxation amid the Christmas chaos.
Are your staff working ‘round the clock to ensure Christmas deadlines are being met? Prioritise their safety by including a flashlight in their care package to ensure they’re safe when leaving work in the dark after a late shift. It's a meaningful way to show that you care about their well-being, both at work and beyond.
Recognising and valuing the hard work of your staff during the Christmas rush contributes to a positive work environment and ensures everyone feels valued - support the people who support your business!
Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
Continuous evaluation of your marketing campaigns is essential to ensure effectiveness. Track key performance metrics such as website traffic, conversion rates, and sales data: these metrics provide valuable insights into how your campaigns are performing and where improvements may be needed.
Take Christmas as an opportunity to try something different in your marketing, such as new ad copy, fresh visuals, or implementing call-to-action buttons. Identify which marketing efforts are shining brightly during the holiday season, and use a data-driven approach to make informed decisions and refine your strategy as the holiday season progresses.
Dive into the data to understand why certain campaigns are falling short. Is it a matter of messaging, targeting, or timing? This data-driven approach helps you identify which variations resonate most with your audience, enabling you to refine your strategy accordingly. If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it - but if something isn’t working don’t be afraid to shake it up either!
The holiday season is dynamic, and consumer behaviour can change rapidly. Be prepared to pivot if necessary. Agility and responsiveness can be your greatest assets during this bustling time. Why not establish a routine for reporting and analysis, whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly - whatever suits your business and schedule. Regular check-ins allow you to stay ahead of any issues and make real-time adjustments to maximise your holiday marketing impact.
Hosting exclusive holiday events for your top clients and customers can be a powerful strategy to foster strong relationships and deepen loyalty. Whether it's an intimate dinner, a special product launch, or a VIP experience, these events provide a unique opportunity to show appreciation for their business. Personalise invitations, encourage genuine conversations, gather feedback, and use these occasions to strengthen connections. These events not only celebrate your clients but also reinforce your commitment to their satisfaction, ultimately leading to long-term partnerships and continued success in the new year!
Spread holiday cheer not only to your customers but also to your staff. Organise an event to celebrate the season and show appreciation for everyone who contributes to your business’s success. This could include a Christmas party, dinner, or BBQ, team-building activities, or recognition awards. If your schedule is looking a little too hectic to host an event, then consider showing your appreciation with thoughtful gifts instead.
Events for customers and staff alike make for great memories and photo opportunities too, so make sure to have someone snap a few pics for your business’s social media!
Sure the Christmas rush is over, but your marketing isn’t! Ensure that your business doesn’t stagnate during the holiday and post-holiday period, and get ready to hit the ground running in the new year.
If you’re out of the office during the holidays, set up automated email responses and voice messages to inform customers when you’ll be back in action. Be sure to update your business hours on your website and Google too. Make sure your customers know what to expect over the holiday period - if you’re a service provider, be sure that your customers are covered when you’re out of office, and don’t leave them in the lurch while you’re at the beach!
Plan a strategy to keep the momentum going after the holidays. Prepare for the new year and take down Christmas decor and messaging from your website after Jan 1st. The new year is a great opportunity for selling: try offering promotions for redeeming gift cards, tease upcoming New Year releases, and maintain customer engagement on social media. This forward-thinking approach sets you up for a strong start to the new year.
As we approach the holiday season and the end-of-year rush, remember that the festive season should be filled with cheer, not stress. At PDC, we're here to help you prepare for the silly season: let PDC be your partner in making this holiday season merry and bright. Get in touch with our team to take your holiday preparations to the next level, and let's make this festive season unforgettable together!
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