When it comes to having a successful holiday season, and a strong finish to the year, timing is everything. Summer may be in full swing outside, but now is the time to start prepping for the holidays! If you haven’t already started to let your target audiences know who you are, what you do and why they should choose your brand, it probably won’t be your products on their wish list and in their shopping carts this holiday season! What are you waiting for? Let’s go!
Step 1. Settle on a story – As competition gets more fierce, it’s getting harder and harder to set your brand apart. We get it. To be truly successful this year, you’re going to need to provide a truly meaningful experience. Whether you want to tug on some heartstrings this holiday season, or just provide a better shopping experience than the other guys, make a list of your goals and use that list to drive your marketing decisions for the rest of the year.
Step 2. Create awareness – Introduce people to what you do, and who you are. Tell your brand’s story and get your name on shoppers’ minds. People want to buy from brands they like, trust and respect. Now is the time to earn their affection. Make them want to learn more about you before they even start their holiday shopping.
Step 3. Spark consideration – Give them a reason to care! Let them know what sets you apart from your competition and why your customers are the happiest. Show them that you are more than just another brand looking for a quick sale. Convince them you’re the best choice now, before the mad rush of the holiday season starts to overwhelm them.
Step 4. Generate engagement – It’s not enough to shout from the rooftops about how great you are, you have to get people to believe it. Whether they are liking and sharing your social posts, downloading content offers about your products or asking the questions they need answers to before making a purchase decision, the more actions they take with your brand before a purchase, the more likely it is that they will purchase from you.
Are you ready for the most important step of all? I’ll give you a hint, it’s all about your team…
Step 5. Focus your efforts – Online that is. Online marketing offers you the most strategic, cost effective and results focused marketing efforts available. From online advertising to content marketing and beyond, there is still time to launch successful online marketing campaigns that will generate the brand awareness you need to be truly successful this holiday season! But don’t wait long, it takes time to develop truly authentic (and profitable) brand awareness.
Are you ready to get started? We’re waiting! The team at E-Power Marketing would love to help you craft the story, spread the message and generate the traffic, engagement and sales that it will take to make it your best year yet!