2023 Holiday Marketing Tips: Get Ready for the Busiest Shopping Season

The holiday season is approaching rapidly; it’s the busiest and most crucial time of the year for digital marketers. Advance planning is a must — any procrastination can be detrimental to your campaign’s success.

We’ll help you get started on your 2023 holiday marketing campaign today with these seven tips.

1. Cater to Mobile Browsing

Most people shop online using a mobile device. In 2021, mobile sales saw an all-time high of 78%! So portable is where it’s at. To make the most of these insights, ensure your shop, social media, and website look good on a mobile device. Ensure all sections of your site or shop function correctly and load quickly.

2. Embrace Social Media; It’s Here To Stay

A social media strategy is now indispensable. Data consistently highlights the increasing reliance on platforms like Facebook and Instagram for purchasing inspiration and information.

Social channels saw a 27% year-over-year increase in traffic referrals during 2021. Over half of consumers visited physical stores in the past three months to explore or purchase products they discovered through social feeds. Highlighting its significance this year, social media advertising is projected to drive 10 times more holiday traffic to online stores than traditional marketing. So, social media ads and marketing efforts are the best ROI.

3. Use Video Marketing

Video marketing continues to gain momentum, and the holiday season is the perfect time to leverage this medium. Consider creating engaging holiday-themed videos showcasing your products or services. Videos are easily shareable on social media and can help you connect with your audience more personally.

Recent data shows that 30% of short-form videos are watched for over 80% of the video duration. And 40% of these videos are watched for the entire clip. Short-form videos have demonstrated their ability to retain attention; consider cutting up a commercial or YouTube video into smaller 60-second clips.

Micro and Macro influencers could also be used to create videos on their platform or to hold a livestream showcasing your business. Livestreaming commerce is projected to increase to $31 billion in 2023, demonstrating the effectiveness of this marketing tactic.

4. Ensure Your Return Experience Is Smooth and Convenient

It’s important to remember that 93% of new consumers research a business’s return policy before purchasing. And if free returns were not readily available, 78% of shoppers abandoned their carts! So, how can you implement this? Make sure your return policy is easily accessible – even displayed in a prominent location.

5. Promote Benefits: Discounts, Coupons and More

Holiday shoppers, in general, value convenience and peace of mind. But this year, inflation and budget are on buyers’ minds. Data shows 67% of buyers will purchase items on sale, and 47% of buyers plan to use coupons.

Highlight your sales, discounts, free shipping, and other cost-saving benefits for consumers to attract them to spend their holiday budget with you. This can be a significant selling point that sets your brand apart from competitors.

6. Promote Earlier Than Competitors

With the brief gift-giving window of the holiday season, begin your promotions as quickly as possible. Position your brand and products as convenient and cost-saving ahead of the competition.

Last year, retailers held back holiday discounts to preserve margins. Instead of continuing to purchase items, shoppers waited for the lowest discounts, causing an 11% decrease in YOY globally. Making your discounts and sales available early will increase sales and quickly convert leads who would have waited anyway for deals.

7. Leverage SMS Marketing

For current customers and subscribers, send timely and personalized text messages about special offers, discounts and exclusive promotions. SMS marketing has a high open rate and can significantly boost holiday sales.

SMS marketing doesn’t have to be complex or overwhelming. Craft simple and clear messages that highlight products and special discounts. Your message could be as simple as: “Looking for the perfect (insert product) for that special someone? Take a look at our collection of (insert product)! 15% off all orders today only! Happy Holidays!”

Whatever channels and tips you choose to use this year, remember — preparation is critical! Data-driven insights will help you choose the right platform and craft a compelling message. Use the tips we covered in this blog to improve your marketing ROI: develop your strategy early, embrace video marketing, and promote benefits like discounts.

If you’re looking for expert guidance and support in crafting a winning holiday marketing strategy, Dream Local Digital is here to help. Schedule a free consultation with our team today, and let’s collaborate to make this holiday season your most successful one yet.