The holiday season approaches, bringing with it shopping frenzy, decorating trauma, and calorie overload. Worse, some of us look back over the year and wonder whether a chunk of charcoal will appear in our stocking.
Don’t lose hope. There’s still time to regroup and recapture lost opportunity. And on a marketing level it’s no different. In fact, now is the perfect time to connect with your audience on a more intimate and human level.
Create holiday content that connects.
The holidays may hold its share of anxiety-producing aspects, but they also offer a chance to be lighthearted and fun. (Web Savvy Marketers just happens to capitalize on this year round. Call it quid pro quo – it’s really our clients’ doing.)
It’s not too late to be good and celebrate the holidays with some fun content. Here are a few ideas to give your holiday content some good cheer.
Show people in holiday form.
Share photos or video of your employees or customers celebrating their holiday tradition. Capturing on film who you are shows your human side, making an emotional connection with holiday zeal.
My cousin’s company did this with their World Famous Holiday Card 2011. They also showcased their unique creativity in film making, not to mention the camaraderie-building of interoffice snowball wars.
Whatever you choose to do, this infographic describes the latest trends in holiday marketing techniques, including the ever useful e-blast. Did you strap on your shopping shoes after receiving our email and small-business shop with Web Savvy Marketers’ local small business clients?
Be festive with readers on social media.
Allow your fans to interact with you by inviting a holiday conversation. Ask your readers open-ended questions in the holiday spirit: “What’s your favorite holiday tradition?” “Have you ever re-gifted a present?” “Do you have a ‘be green’ holiday idea?”
Who knows, one day there may be a handy Good Samaritan Index that charts who’s been naughty or nice. Best to begin now before the social media sites get a hold of it.
For Adult Eyes Only: Just be careful and don’t let slip the “ol’ Santa isn’t real” blunder. You never know who is watching.
Share the good deeds you’ve done.
Now is the time to spread the word on any charitable activities you have participated in. What better way to share the bigger picture behind not only your company, but the charities you support?
Instead of their annual holiday celebration, Sirois Tool/Dow Gage employees chose to sponsor several families through a holiday adopt-a-family program. Any of us can participate in this gift-giving gesture through organizations such as The Salvation Army, Operation Homefront, or your town’s Social Services or Human Services Department. Most are in desperate need of people to contribute.
Help make it a feel-good time of year and pin your supported charities on Pinterest like this Charity Copy board illustrates. If there’s a community activity coming up, get the word out on Twitter and spread the charitable giving tradition.
Fortunately, the desire to give is still strong. You can be a part of it.
Get in the crafty mood.
People may be busier than ever, but we also have more opportunity for pleasure than our ancestors. Instead of always buying things, encourage the art of making something and the deep satisfaction that comes with it.
Connect with readers through sharing do-it-yourself ideas. There’s no better place than Pinterest for this.
For some DIY inspiration, stay tuned to 30 Days of Pinspiration. In the first week you can find winter activities with Parent Magazine, create holiday memories with Budget Savvy Diva, and increase your holiday awareness with Babble.
Are there any companies you know that share great holiday content? What will you do with content this holiday season to get in the holiday spirit? Let us know in the comments section.
Happy holiday content-making!
Flickr photo credit: BuzzFarmers