Source: beeinourbonnet.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest
As we mentioned in last weeks post, it’s never too early to start planning your holiday marketing campaigns. While it’s important to keep your marketing efforts going all year; here are 10 key dates to keep in mind when creating your marketing strategies around the holidays.
1. Thanksgiving 11/22: It’s a day filled with food, fun and football. Get your game face on and prepare for the biggest shopping day of the year which is {cue drum roll, please} …
2. Black Friday 11/23: Customers are inundated with emails, flyers and promotions—be sure your marketing efforts can stand out in the sea of sales material. Also be sure to check out our friend Erica’s “Guide to Black Friday” on Today’s Mama for some suggested shopping tips and where the best deals will be.
3. Cyber Monday 11/26: Admit it, you’re an online shopping addict like the rest of us—and so are your customers. Vamp up your email marketing campaign for this day and let your customers know that Saturday 12/17 is quickly approaching.
4. Hanukkah begins 12/08: There are eight nights to celebrate—think of eight creative ways to target consumers before and during this special week.
5. Saturday 12/17: Have you been eyeing the perfect gift online since Cyber Monday? Now is the time to order your customers who were on the fence to put in that order! Decemeber 17 is typically the drop dead date that you can order something online and have it reach you by Christmas with standard shipping. Make sure you’re customers know if you’re able to make exceptions past this date-especially, for last minute shoppers!
6. Super Saturday 12/24: There are those of us who plan, and those of us who wait. Christmas Eve is the perfect time to target the last minute shoppers who are looking for a good deal–that’s fast and easy!
7. Christmas 12/25: Make sure everyone has something wrapped under their tree or hung by their fireplace from your company. This day makes the months of holiday planning all worth it.
8. Day after Christmas 12/26: What’s better then getting gifts on Christmas? Going out the next day and buying what you didn’t get but is now on sale! Make sure to take advantage of this day while consumers are still in the spirit of giving and looking for a deal while getting rid of the rest of your holiday inventory.
9. New Year’s Eve 12/31: The last day of the year marks a final chance for many consumers and businesses to make purchases and close out their financial year. Go out and get one final push before 2013. Also, New Year’s is a great holiday for your own greetings send out to customers and vendors since the crazy rush of December is over. Your message has a better chance of standing out and will be more likely remembered if sent to arrive just after the New Year.
10. New Year’s Day 1/1/13: Although it’s not a large consumer driven shopping day; it can be the day to start a New Year’s resolutions for your business—and if you’re really feeling up to it, start planning for the Holiday 2013 season!
~Allyson
