8 Smart Holiday Marketing Approaches
It’s no secret the holidays are the optimum time to market your business. Consumers are prepared to spend (even this year, albeit not as much) and if you capture their attention you could lay the foundation for a long-term relationship or at the very least a sale. Beyond the holiday sales, some companies have figured out interesting ways to garner that attention.
Giving back
Get creative with giving back. Villa La Paws Pet Resort and Spa created an “Operation Home for the Holidays” program in an effort to connect deployed military and their family through real-time video chats, and videotaped holiday greetings.
Another example is Urban Burn Boot Camp, which offered 21 days of unlimited boot camp workouts in exchange for a toy for their toy drive.
Outrageous traditions
Little did AZ88 know when they commissioned a local artist to design a Christmas tree installation in 1992 they would be starting a tradition. Each year locals make it a point to see the new outrageous design, which has included Barbie dolls, electrostatic balls, crushed gas cans, and this year, $1 bills.
Similarly, the Coach House, a small, traditionally laid-back dive bar goes over the top with lights and ostentatious decorations. Loads of tinsel, wrapping paper, lights, metallic ornaments, candy canes – and the list goes on – attracts viewers every year.
Surely you’ve heard of the infamous Neiman Marcus holiday catalogue. These often outrageous gifts garner tons of media exposure. CNNMoney.com, the Wall Street Journal, countless blogs and a few national TV networks had a heyday with this cupcake go-cart. Though the go-cart is beyond the financial means of the vast majority, it gets them looking at other, more affordable merchandise in the catalogue.
12 Days of Christmas
Ok so there’s nothing new about promotions, but these have some creativity. Boon Inc., a baby product manufacturer, created an interactive 12 Day Holiday Giveaway that draws people to their Facebook page daily for a chance to win one of their products.
Meanwhile Gary Vaynerchuck of Wine Library offers free shipping and reduced prices on wine during his 12 Days of Xmas promotion. And Buddy Stubbs Harley Davidson, with a similar 12 Days promotion, offers discounts and a customer appreciation holiday party.
The options are endless. Take notice of what others are doing and think about what you can do differently next year, and start preparing now. Let me know what you think. Have you come across any interesting tactics or are you implementing any yourself?
