6 Post-Holiday Marketing Strategies
The holidays may be over but that doesn’t mean it’s time to slow down and mentally check out! Quite the opposite actually. Keeping the momentum rolling into the new year can help to minimize that dreaded post-holiday sales slump as much as possible!
Even though consumption is slower in the first quarter of the year, your business can still make money during this slow period. This can be done by taking advantage of advertising opportunities. So, how can you keep the momentum going? You’re going to need a post-holiday marketing plan.
Need a little inspiration? We’ve got you covered! Here are 6 post-holiday marketing strategies to try this year.
Focus on your Social Media Channels
People may be done frantically shopping or away on vacation, but they’re definitely not done browsing social media. Utilizing social media is the perfect way to stay top of mind and engage with your audience after the holiday rush.
Try creating a hashtag so your customers can share which of your products they got for Christmas, or repost photos that your products have been tagged into your Story. Consider hosting a giveaway, or creating reels building anticipation for your next product launch. With the next holiday just around the corner, there is plenty of content to go around!
The beginning of a new year is also the perfect time to take advantage of the fact that bigger brands and companies choose to spend a large portion of their ad budgets around the holidays. This opens up space for you to improve your reach and grab those low-priced ad spots. Fewer ads, less competition, and more visibility means more traffic and sales for you!
Surprise Special Promotion
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, consumers are always on the lookout and can hardly resist a good deal! Especially when they’re in “saving mode”. Sounds counterproductive, but it’s true. That’s why including a special surprise promotion in your post-holiday marketing plan is a great way to boost sales.
One special promotion idea could be to offer free shipping to your consumers. A recent study found that 93% of online buyers are encouraged to purchase more products if free shipping options are available and 58% of consumers are more willing to add more items to cart to qualify for free shipping.
Other special promotion ideas could include, BOGO, new loyalty or point programs, cashback promotions, flash sales and discounts, vouchers, or coupons. Consider a joint promotion campaign to start the new year.
This type of marketing is based on connecting two companies that sell online within the same niche, with each company promoting the other’s product or services. The result is that both end up benefiting and making a profit from one another with the hope of gaining new loyal customers.
Have a Clearance Sale
Now is the perfect time to get rid of all the seasonal products and overstocked merchandise that you’re left with after the holidays. Offering big discounts on these items is a great way to drive sales and free up space in your inventory and on your website.
Whether it’s holiday decor, or holiday themed clothing or accessories there will always be people who are already looking ahead and prepping for next year and want to take advantage of getting great seasonal items at a discounted price!
Some companies wait until January to put on their biggest sale of the year. Take Harbor Freight Tools. Harbor Freight is an e-commerce site which primarily sells tools, they host an annual blowout sale every January. During this sale, items on their site are up to 84% off.
Show your Customer Appreciation
In this day and age, consumers have nearly an unlimited amount of options when it comes to shopping for the holidays. Your customers could have shopped anywhere but they purchased from you. And that’s a really big deal! And it should be treated as such.
Show your customers a little appreciation by writing handwritten thank you cards (or an email) with a discount code attached. Or offer a small promotion as a way of expressing appreciation and gratitude. This will not only drive sales but will feel personal to your customers and build brand loyalty.
Unleash the Power of Retargeting
Did you know that 96% of customers will leave a website without making a purchase. This means that only four out of every 100 people visiting your site will end up buying your product or services. It may sound a little depressing but it’s actually an opportunity.
Consumers spend time on your site because they’re interested in the products or services that you offer! A remarketing ad campaign and an email marketing campaign can change a browsing consumer into a purchasing customer.
Both of these campaigns take some digging into your website’s data and time to analyzing which strategy is best, but both can be incredibly successful in driving new sales.
Focus on Gift Cards
Chances are someone was given a gift card to your shop for Christmas, and here’s why that’s great news for you. Aside from the initial money you made off the sale of the gift card, a recent study found that U.S. consumers spend an average of $59 more than the value of their gift card. The study also found that 34% of consumers said gift cards spurred them to visit stores they normally wouldn’t. This makes a campaign focused on getting people to come to use their gift cards a great idea!
Consider targeting gift card consumers by offering a “special bonus gift” offering anyone who shops using their gift card a small gift at the time of their purchase. Other ideas could include an additional discount for those purchasing items with a gift card, or a one-day sale exclusively for gift cardholders.
Create specific gift card guides for your social media or email marketing to highlight all the great products available for purchase with their gift card. Getting consumers excited to spend their gift cards will drive more sales and help you create new lifelong customers.
Don't Hold Back!
The holiday season is over and it’s time to get back into the swing of things. You may be wondering, where do I start? Well, you could try one or all of these 6 marketing strategies that will help keep your business afloat during this slow period.
