Drive engagement during the holiday season (2024)
The holiday season is prime time for boosting visibility and engagement, but standing out in crowded digital spaces is a challenge. But fear not! Here are five holiday marketing strategies designed to keep your product or service based business top of mind this festive season.
One-word subject lines
It’s tricky to get your emails opened when your audience is bombarded with seasonal promotions.
Try this: The cool girls are using one-word subject lines to grab attention and pique curiosity. For best results, choose something subversive, like ‘Coal,’ ‘Grinch,’ or ‘Bah humbug!’
Nostalgia with an edge
If you’re looking to evoke an emotional connection (hold the holiday cheese) you’re gonna need to stand out from the sea of predictable holiday content.
Try this: Lean into deep-cut nostalgic themes that tap into powerful, shared memories with an unexpected twist. Find connection through the chaos of holiday prep—then tie your offerings to forgotten trends like retro tech toys or unconventional holiday foods. This helps your ideal clients revitalise old memories in new ways.
Throwback Thursday: Holiday gifts that ruled the 90s
Feature nostalgic items like Tamagotchis, Game Boys, or Beanie Babies. Then introduce a modern product that carries the same fun, engaging spirit but with an updated twist.Holiday treats you forgot you loved
Share the weirdest dessert your family cooks up for the holidays. (Seriously…what even is trifle?) Then tie it into your current offerings as a way to blend weird memories with more modern (and more delicious) tastes.Instagram Stories: Run a “Remember This?” story (poll featuring faves like Lite-Brite or Cabbage Patch Kids,) then segue into a promotion for products or services that tap into that nostalgia but offer a modern benefit.
TikTok: Create a skit with a split-screen of someone in the 90s trying to put together a complicated holiday party or recipe. Use the video as a counterpoint to the simple/modern solution you’re offering.
A fun twist on holiday urgency
We’re all about getting your audience to act immediately. But if one more business emails me to tell me how many shopping days until Christmas, I’ll eat my Santa hat.
Try this: Create a countdown that people will actually use. I suggest:
Countdown to “I swore I wasn’t going to procrastinate this year”
Countdown to “I left my RSVP too late and now I have to get Covid”
Countdown to “it will only take 20 minutes to put this play kitchen together!”
Acknowledge the hell-scape we’re living in
This year has been a lot. And being frank about that is a good way to connect with your ideal clients. This isn’t about sales or follower counts—it’s about making connections that last beyond the holiday season.
It’s important to remember that political talk will be almost unavoidable this holiday season. If you’re dreading it, your reader might be too. Let them know you see them, and that you understand that they may not be feeling particularly merry or bright this year.
Stay safe out there
Remember, if it isn’t safe for you to spend the holidays with your family of origin, you don’t have to. In case you needed it, here’s permission to shitcan your plans if they’re stressing you out. Stay home with your pet and your chosen family if you want. You’ve earned it.
A gift for you
And if you need a hand with copywriting, now’s the time to book your 2025 HyperFocus week before the price goes up. Go on—you’ve been putting it off long enough.