The holiday season is prime time for online shopping with social media playing a large role in driving up those sales. Did you know that the typical social media user spends about 15% of their waking life on social platforms? That means many are spending over two hours per day on multiple social channels.
A well-crafted holiday social media strategy for eCommerce can help brands stand out, engage audiences, and maximize revenue. Here we’ll whip up some ideas for effective holiday marketing on social media, blending the right mix of creativity, timing, and engagement to bring your strategy to life!
Crafting an Engaging Holiday Content Strategy
Creating Shareable Holiday Content
The recipe for shareable holiday-themed content creation is a mix of visually appealing posts and festive cheer. When creating holiday visuals for eCommerce, use seasonal colors, holiday icons, and eye-catching fonts for designs that pop. Stir in some motion graphics or videos for added appeal. Some successful examples include Starbucks' holiday cups campaign or Coca-Cola's classic "Holidays are Coming" ads—bringing just the right amount of holiday spirit to their customers. The key is to make your content so visually delicious that your audience can’t resist sharing it.
Organic Storytelling for the Holidays
Baking a strong connection with your audience involves more than just promotional posts. Instead, weave together stories that resonate with the holiday spirit. These can be heartwarming customer experiences, behind-the-scenes holiday photoshoots, or giving back to your community. The magic ingredient here is authentic, emotionally engaging storytelling. Instead of only promoting products, promote the experiences that come with them - like unwrapping a gift or enjoying a special moment with loved ones. Tailored messaging for holiday audiences captures the magic (and emotions) of the season.
Promote Holiday Discounts and Promos
Be sure to share your special holiday deals with a sweet touch! Use countdowns, limited-time offers, and holiday-themed promo codes to build excitement. Add a pinch of urgency with phrases like "just in time for Christmas" or "holiday flash sale ends soon!" This conversion-driven approach helps customers feel like they’re getting a holiday treat.
Building Community and Encouraging Engagement
Holiday-Themed Organic Engagement Tactics
Mix things up by encouraging your followers to engage with fun holiday prompts, such as "Caption this photo," "Share your favorite holiday memory," or "Vote on our holiday treats poll." Your ticket to higher engagement rates is to get conversations bubbling. When you increase interactions with your followers, you improve your content’s visibility due to social media algorithms favoring high engagement rates. These tactics also work well across various channels, making your strategy a multi-platform success.
User-Generated Content Campaigns
Who doesn’t love seeing their content shared by their favorite brand? Encourage your followers to post pictures of their holiday-themed purchases or experiences with your products using a branded hashtag. This works twofold - it encourages community engagement while leveraging social proof during holidays. Potential buyers see that real customers love your products and want to experience them for themselves. Highlight user-generated content on your social channels for added authenticity—sprinkle that social proof all over your holiday strategy.
Leveraging Holiday Hashtags and Trends
Holiday Hashtags to Maximize Reach
Holiday hashtags are the powdered sugar on top of your social strategy. Use popular hashtags like #HolidayShopping, #GiftGuide, or #ChristmasDeals to reach a wider audience. Creating a custom hashtag that blends your brand with the festive season, such as #SweetHolidaySavings or #BakedForTheHolidays, can encourage customers to share their experiences and generate more attention for your brand.
Participating in Holiday Trends
Choose trending options that can tap into broader conversations with your audience like popular holiday dance challenges, festive memes, or the latest trend to hit TikTok. A pro tip: be sure to stay true to your brand’s voice while participating in these trends to avoid seeming out of place.
Timing and Frequency of Organic Social Posts
Crafting a Holiday Posting Schedule
While the best time to serve up holiday content varies, early mornings and evenings perform well since users browse during commute times or unwind at home. Craft a holiday posting schedule that balances consistency with frequency to avoid overwhelming your followers. Think of your content like holiday sugar cookies—you want to stack enough without overstuffing the tray!
Q4 Dates to Be Mindful Of
Don’t forget key Q4 dates like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Green Monday, as well as smaller holiday moments like Giving Tuesday. Use these as key milestones in your holiday posting schedule to announce promotions, roll out special campaigns, and boost engagement. Use the list below to guide you!
- Tuesday, November 5th - Election Day
- Thursday, November 28th - Thanksgiving
- Friday, November 29th - Black Friday
- Saturday, November 30th - Small Business Saturday
- Monday, December 2nd - Cyber Monday
- Tuesday, December 3rd - Giving Tuesday
- Monday, December 9th - Green Monday
- Tuesday, December 24th - Christmas Eve
- Wednesday, December 25th - Christmas
- Wednesday, December 25th -Thursday, January 2nd - Hanukkah
- Thursday, December 26th - Wednesday, January 1st - Kwanzaa
- Tuesday, December 31st - New Year's Eve
- Wednesday, January 1st - New Year's Day
Partner with an eCommerce Agency to Maximize Your Holiday Sales
Need some help getting your holiday social media strategy baked to perfection? Partnering with an eCommerce agency can be the secret ingredient to sweetening your holiday sales. Experts in omnichannel holiday marketing can help you achieve a seamless approach that integrates Facebook, Instagram, and other social media with various marketing tactics, giving you a consistent and impactful presence across platforms. Reach out to the team at CAKE to see how you can make your strategy twinkle this season!
