12 Easy Holiday Marketing Tips for Any Business
Many business professionals may feel the pull to take a break from marketing during the end-of-year holidays. Yes, you’re busy herding relatives, shopping for batteries that mysteriously don’t fit, and constructing a culinary feat worthy of Master Chef. But that’s exactly why smart pros keep their brand top-of-mind.
The holidays are prime time for client connection. Fewer competing ads + more mail-checking + more scrolling = a better chance your name sticks. Drop a well-timed touch now, and future you reaps the spring leads when projects thaw and listings bloom. Think of it as planting bulbs: quiet now, showy later.
12 Marketing Ideas for the Holidays
We’ve got 12 festive tips to keep your brand top-of-mind through the tinsel, plus bonus tips if you’re short on time. Ready to turn the holidays into a lead generator? Let’s go!
1. Create a Local Holiday Event List
Feeling creative? Position yourself as the local expert who knows what’s happening around town. Compile a list of community holiday events and share it on your socials as a downloadable post. Use a design app like Canva (plenty of customizable templates) to build the graphic. Include your headshot and contact details on the image so your info travels with every share.
2. Hold a Social Media Holiday Photo Showcase
Want to get your social media followers excited and rachet up engagement on your pages? Host an online showcase for local homes with the best holiday decorations: people can submit their own photos of decorated homes and comment on or like their favorite. Note: since there are strict guidelines on Facebook, X, and other social media platforms for contests and promotions, we suggest opting out of a contest format and instead positioning the photos as a showcase of holiday cheer.
Beautiful images of local light displays will still get engagement for your brand – just tie it back to your services.
For example: “Check out how our town lights up during the holidays! As your neighbor, I love this community as much as you do. So, when you have a question about the real estate market in town, know that I have the local expertise to give you an honest answer and help you on your journey to your dream home.”
“Look at this beautiful light display in our local park. I love the holidays, and I want to see more holiday lights! Tag my page with the most beautiful Christmas lights you’ve seen around town!”
3. Share a Festive Recipe Idea
With all the cooking going on during the holidays, many people are interested in a new recipe idea or a twist on a classic dish. Sending recipe postcards through the mail is a great way to share a delicious new food idea and cost-effectively promote your business at the same time. You’re giving people a gift as well, especially if you have a truly delicious sugar cookie recipe to share!
This is an opportunity to reach out to a whole new group of prospective clients and referral sources with information they truly value at the holidays, so don’t just target your same old sphere of influence. Use Xpressdocs’ geographic targeting tools to send those recipe ideas to residents of specific streets, select demographic groups, even entire neighborhoods.
4. Host a Holiday Fundraiser
Many people want to do good at this time of year. Help them do so (and build your brand recognition in the process) by hosting a holiday fundraiser for a worthy cause. This can be as simple as using the Fundraiser Tool on Facebook to host a campaign on your profile page for a charity of your choice. Or you can send out direct mail postcards telling your contacts that you’ll be collecting canned food or warm clothing donations at your office or storefront.
You could also create a “12 Days of Giving” campaign spotlighting a different charity each day to encourage donations. If you have a charity in mind, it’s a good idea to check out their website for resources. Many have online tools you can use to host a fundraiser for them, such as these resources from the American Heart Association.
5. Send an (Unexpected) Holiday Greeting Card
Every sales professional sends “Happy Holidays” cards to their clients, past clients, and referral sources at this time of year – which means your card is likely to get lost in the shuffle, and your recipients may barely notice you made the effort. If you want to make more of an impression this time of year, send a Thanksgiving, Winter, or New Year’s greeting. When your card stands out from a run-of-the-mill holiday card, its impact will be much greater and longer lasting.
There’s nothing wrong with sticking to tradition, of course. If you do want to send out a classic holiday greeting card, make sure it’s beautifully designed. That’s where Xpressdocs’ seasonal marketing tab on your platform comes in. There, you get access to expert-designed postcard templates, updated regularly, for any and every occasion.
6. Give Out Special Client Gifts
Do you have some marketing funding that needs to be used up by the end of the year? Use it to do something special (and delicious) for your best clients and referral sources, like providing them with a free pie of their choice. Send out an order form to your client list to get their pie preferences and then partner with a local bakery to fulfill the orders.
Have your clients stop by your office to pick up their pie the week before Thanksgiving or Christmas – that way you can re-establish your relationships with your best clients face-to-face, get them through the door of your office, and associate yourself with all the good vibes of a freshly baked pie!
Similarly, hosting a holiday-themed giveaway can generate excitement and boost engagement with your audience.
7. Collaborate with Local Businesses
Partnering with other local businesses can amplify your reach during the holidays. Whether it’s offering bundled services or cross-promoting each other’s holiday deals, collaborations can create a win-win situation that benefits everyone involved. You can also tag along as a sponsor on events that other local businesses are hosting. When it comes to organizing a holiday festival or cookie decorating contest, the more the merrier!
8. Send Personalized Holiday Video Messages
Instead of the traditional holiday card, send personalized video messages to your top clients and prospects. A heartfelt, personalized message can leave a lasting impression and strengthen your relationship.
Use this opportunity to thank them for their support over the past year and to express your excitement about continuing to work together in the future.
This can be done digitally of course, but if you really want to make an impression, you can send your video message through the mail as a holiday card. How? With Print + Video.
9. Create a Holiday-Themed Content Series
Develop a series of holiday-themed blog posts, videos, or podcasts that offer valuable content to your audience. Topics could include tips for holiday entertaining, advice on year-end financial planning, or creative gift ideas.
People love to decorate their homes for the holidays. Share ideas for creating the perfect holiday atmosphere, whether it’s decorating on a budget, with DIY projects, or incorporating the latest trends in holiday decor. This content not only positions you and your business as a helpful resource but also keeps your brand in front of your audience during the holiday season.
10. Organize a Holiday Lights Tour
If you’re in a community with impressive holiday light displays, organize a Holiday Lights Tour for your clients and prospects. Create a map of the best-decorated homes and landmarks in your area and offer it as a downloadable guide on your website or social media pages.
You can also host a guided tour to create a memorable experience that ties your brand to the joy of the season.
11. Promote a Holiday Countdown on Social Media
Create a Holiday Countdown on your social media platforms, where each day you post a tip, fun fact, or special offer leading up to a major holiday like Christmas or New Year’s. This builds anticipation and keeps your audience engaged while also giving you the opportunity to showcase your products or services in a festive context.
By incorporating these additional ideas into your holiday marketing plan, you’ll further enhance your brand’s visibility and engagement during this festive time of year. Keep the momentum going, and you’ll be well-positioned for a successful new year.
12. Send a Branded Calendar
Mail a calendar to past clients. It’s practical, it feels thoughtful, and it keeps you front and center all year with your headshot and contact info.
Since people check their calendars multiple times a month, it’s an easy, consistent way to stay at the top of their mind.
Short on Time? These tips Can Be Pulled Off in a Flash!
Sponsor a local event.
Many organizations host events during the holiday season. Put your brand in a good light by supporting one as a community sponsor.
Network like a pro.
No doubt you’ll be invited to many events and parties during the holiday season. Don’t miss the opportunity to network and let people know about your business. Keep a few business cards on hand; you never know who might be looking for your services.
Bonus tip: At casual events, wear your brand. A logo cap, shirt, or sweater does quiet marketing for you and can spark a conversation.
Get Started Today!
The weather outside may be gloomy, and clients may be few and far between at this time of year. But if you pull back on your marketing now, it only means you’ll have to work that much harder once spring is around the corner. By incorporating these ideas into your holiday marketing plan, you’ll enhance your brand’s visibility and engagement during this festive time of year. Keep the momentum going, and you’ll be well-positioned for a successful new year.
Blog originally published November 1, 2023.