Holiday Marketing Plan for Beginners  

The holidays are almost here, and the clock is ticking! While you’re planning time with family, don’t forget—this is your moment to jump into your holiday marketing strategy and get ahead of the game! 

Shoppers are already on the hunt. In fact, 40% of U.S. consumers kick off their holiday shopping in October. Why? Because online shopping is quick, easy, and packed with options. It’s no wonder more and more people are buying their gifts online. 

Here’s the kicker: experts are predicting a 9.5% surge in online sales this year. That means the competition is fierce, and early shoppers are ready to spend. If you’re new to holiday marketing, now’s the time to start planning. In this article, we’ll walk you through the key steps to building a successful holiday marketing strategy that can help you capture the attention of these eager shoppers and set your business up for success this season. 

Benefits of creating a holiday marketing plan  

The holiday shopping frenzy is building up. It’s exciting, but let’s be real—it’s a lot to juggle. The good news? A solid holiday marketing plan is your secret weapon to stay ahead. With the right plan, you’ll grab those sales and ride the wave of holiday cheer. 

Here’s why a plan is essential to crush it this holiday shopping season: 

• Sales are skyrocketing. The holidays are prime time. In 2023, non-store sales surged by 10.7%.  That’s $273.3 billion up for grabs. Marketing expert Neil Patel predicts even more action this season. Average order values could rise by 30%. Conversions could soar by 60% 

• Customers are evolving. Shoppers are changing how they buy. Mobile purchases are taking the lead, and people want brands that care. Eco-friendly and socially responsible products are winning hearts. Connect with today’s shoppers. Align your holiday marketing strategy with these trends.  

• Stand out and thrive. The holiday season is a battlefield. Break through the noise with a strong holiday marketing strategy. It will help you attract eager shoppers and make this your most successful season yet. 

You’ve got the why, and now it’s time for the how. A strong holiday marketing strategy doesn’t just happen—it’s built with purpose. Let’s dive in and map out the key steps to set your season up for success! 

Key steps to take before creating your holiday marketing plan  

Before you deck the halls and roll out promotions, let’s set the stage for success. A focused approach will make your holiday marketing strategy shine. Here’s how to get started: 

1. Set clear goals  

Define what you want to achieve this season. Is it boosting sales? Increasing brand awareness? Enhancing customer loyalty? Clear objectives are your roadmap to making your holiday marketing actionable. 

• Identify key metrics. Aim for specific targets, like a 20% sales increase or improving conversion rates from 2% to 3%. 

• Set a timeline. Align your milestones with key dates such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Doing so ensures your marketing activities are timely and capitalizes on peak shopping periods. 

• Plan how to track success. Decide which tools or methods you’ll use to monitor progress once your campaign is underway. These will make it easier for you to adjust your strategy to different customer profiles.  

2. Define your target audience  

To create a tailored holiday marketing strategy, start by segmenting your audience—group them by age, gender, and location. Then, review each group’s purchase behavior to see what products they buy and how often. Finally, identify their motivations by understanding which products are most likely to appeal to each group this season. 

3. Plan your budget 

Allocate your budget where it counts. Use your audience insights to decide where to spend. Are social media ads the best way to reach the younger crowd? Or should you invest in influencer partnerships to capture the attention of high spenders? Strategic spending ensures your efforts turn into sales. 

With your goals set, audience defined, and budget planned, you’re ready to dive into holiday marketing strategies that will make your brand shine this season. 

9 holiday marketing ideas you can try 

Refresh your website’s look  

Give your website a festive makeover to capture the holiday spirit and engage visitors. Simple touches like adding seasonal colors, holiday-themed images, or a temporary logo update can make a big difference. Want more inspiration? Check out this article for additional ideas on how to design your website for the holidays. 

Maximize social media 

Social media is the perfect place to connect with customers during the holidays. It’s where your audience is already hanging out, and with the right strategy, you can turn that connection into sales. Here’s how to make the most of social media this season: 

Create engaging holiday content 

The holidays are all about fun, excitement, and giving. Leverage this by creating holiday-themed content that resonates with your audience. Share gift guides, fun how-to videos (think holiday decor tips or DIY gift-wrapping ideas), and behind-the-scenes footage of your brand getting ready for the season. You can also use live streams to show off products in action, answer customer questions, or host interactive Q&A sessions. Content that entertains and adds value builds brand loyalty and gets people excited to shop. 

Utilize social media shopping features 

Social media shopping makes it easy to convert your followers into customers—and the best part is it’s a seamless customer experience that lets people shop without leaving their favorite apps. Here’s how to use it to your advantage this holiday season: 

• Instagram. Use shoppable posts, stories, and Instagram Shop to let your followers shop directly from your feed. With “Swipe Up,” you can link straight to product pages and make the buying process a breeze. 

• Facebook Marketplace. If you’re a small business or have a brick-and-mortar, Facebook Marketplace is perfect for reaching local communities. There are no long waits for shipping; customers can shop instantly and support local sellers. 

• TikTok. Video marketing is huge on TikTok, and TikTok Shopping lets you turn those engaging videos into direct sales. Create fun, catchy videos that showcase your products, and let users buy directly through the app! It’s a great way to mix entertainment with shopping. 

• Pinterest. Pin your way to more sales with Buyable Pins. Pinterest is all about inspiration, so make sure you’re guiding users from ideas to online sales by linking directly to your site. 

Social media shopping features help you connect with holiday shoppers who already know what they want—and make it easy for new customers to discover and shop with you. The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to boost your eCommerce sales and offer holiday promotions that get people excited to buy. 

Host social media contests 

Boost your holiday marketing strategy by hosting fun and interactive social media contests. These activities not only engage your audience but also expand your brand’s reach. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

• Festive photo contest. Encourage followers to share their holiday-themed photos featuring your products. Offer a prize for the most creative entry. 

• 12 days of giveaways. Run a daily giveaway leading up to Christmas, with participants entering by liking, sharing, or tagging friends. This keeps your audience engaged over an extended period.  

• Holiday trivia quiz. Test your audience’s holiday knowledge with a fun quiz. Reward top scorers with exclusive discounts or gifts. 

These contests not only entertain but also foster a sense of community around your brand, making your holiday marketing efforts more impactful. 

Collaborate with micro-influencers  

Teaming up with social media influencers is a smart way to boost your holiday marketing—especially for small businesses. It’s a chance to compete with bigger brands by tapping into highly engaged, niche audiences. Plus, you can do all this without the hefty price tag of celebrity endorsements. 

Micro-influencers are a cost-effective way to promote your holiday offers and get your message out during the busiest time of the year. 

Here’s what to look for when picking the right influencer for your brand: 

• Relevance. Make sure their audience fits with your target market. It’s not only about the number of followers; they need to align with your brand’s vibe. 

• Engagement rate. Look for influencers whose followers are active and engaged, especially during holiday promotions. 

• Content style. Choose influencers whose tone matches your brand. Whether casual, fun, or festive for the holidays, it should feel authentic. 

• Past collaborations. Look at their previous work to see if their content resonates well with their audience. 

• Platform reach. Make sure they’re active on platforms that fit your holiday marketing plan. Where does your target audience spend most of their time? 

Influencer marketing can help boost the perception of your products and drive sales. Followers trust their favorite influencers and are more likely to act on limited-time promotions when your brand aligns with theirs. 

Create holiday gift guides 

Help customers navigate their holiday shopping with thoughtfully curated gift guides that cover a variety of needs. Include categories like “Luxury Gifts for the Holidays,” “Budget-Friendly Ideas,” or “Stocking Stuffers.” Highlight unique features, creative packaging, or exclusive items that make these gifts stand out. This approach ensures you appeal to shoppers looking for both practicality and luxury. 

Highlight cost-saving incentives 

Combine your messaging around free shipping, easy returns, and discount codes into a unified strategy. Promote these perks as part of your holiday deals, such as “Free Shipping on Orders Over $50” or “Use Code HOLIDAY20 for 20% Off.” By bundling these cost-saving incentives, you simplify your pitch and make it more compelling for shoppers. 

Reward loyal customers with exclusive perks 

The holidays are the perfect time to show your appreciation for loyal customers. Treat them to VIP experiences like early access to sales or invite-only shopping events. Sweeten the deal with a holiday loyalty program where they can earn extra points or snag a special gift with their purchase. These little touches make shoppers feel valued and create a sense of excitement they’ll associate with your brand. 

Create value with time-sensitive promotions 

Give customers a reason to shop now with time-sensitive promotions that spark urgency. Flash sales, countdown timers, and “limited-time-only” bundles encourage quick decisions. For example, a “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” deal on gift sets not only offers value but also helps customers check off multiple people on their list at once. These time-sensitive offers tap into the thrill of holiday shopping while increasing cart sizes and sales. 

Create a holiday referral program 

Encourage customers to refer friends by offering holiday discounts for both the referrer and the new customer. A holiday referral program taps into the holiday spirit of sharing, helping you easily get in touch with potential customers while rewarding loyal shoppers. 

Leverage custom holiday ads 

Custom holiday ads are a great way to target shoppers with promotions that resonate with them. Use AI-driven tools to tailor holiday deals based on customers’ browsing behavior, making your promotions feel relevant and timely. You’ll increase engagement and drive more conversions by showing ads that match what your audience is looking for. 

How to maximize your holiday marketing across channels 

Effective holiday marketing means meeting your customers where they are. By combining social media, email, and SMS, you can craft a seamless, high-impact strategy that drives sales during the most competitive time of the year. 

What to post 

Keep your content fresh and exciting. Share promotional posts about holiday deals alongside festive ideas like gift guides, decorating tips, or behind-the-scenes brand moments. Encourage customers to share their experiences with your products—user-generated content can build trust and spread the holiday spirit. 

Where to post 

Each platform has its own strengths. Here’s how to tailor your approach: 

• Instagram & Pinterest. Showcase visually appealing products with shoppable posts or buyable pins. 

• Facebook. Build community and share holiday promotions. 

• TikTok & YouTube. Use videos to create engaging tutorials or holiday challenges. 

• Twitter. Post quick updates, hashtags, and polls for bite-sized engagement. 

• SMS. Use this for flash sales, urgent promotions, or exclusive holiday deals. 

When to post 

Timing matters. Post during late mornings or early evenings when your audience is most active. Schedule posts around key dates like Black Friday and Cyber Monday to maximize engagement. Consistency without overwhelming your audience is key to staying top-of-mind. 

Bonus tips for holiday readiness 

While marketing your products, make sure your website is ready for the holiday rush. These simple updates make for a smooth and engaging shopping experience for customers: 

• Tweak your homepage. Swap in holiday-themed banners or images to add a festive touch without requiring a complete redesign. 

• Create a holiday page. Dedicate a page to showcase your holiday promotions and make it easier for customers to find special offers. 

• Make an announcement. A subtle announcement bar can keep customers informed of holiday deadlines and exclusive deals. 

• Add countdown timers. Generate urgency with countdown timers for limited time offers or sales events to encourage faster purchases. 

Holiday marketing mistakes to avoid  

While planning your holiday marketing strategies, it’s important to stay focused. Even with plenty of creative holiday marketing ideas, trying to do too much can lead to burnout and costly mistakes. A reality check ensures your efforts are achievable within your timeline and maximizes your success. 

Here are the most common pitfalls to watch out for: 

• Not planning early enough. Effective holiday marketing takes time. Starting too late can lead to missed opportunities and rushed campaigns. Begin early to ensure everything from holiday promotions to execution is seamless. 

• Failing to personalize your marketing efforts. Generic messages won’t cut through the noise. Tailor your holiday marketing campaigns to customer preferences and behaviors. Personalized messages can significantly boost engagement and sales during the busiest time of the year. 

• Ignoring the customer experience. A seamless shopping experience is critical. Neglecting website navigation, shipping options, or customer service can frustrate buyers and result in lost sales. During the holidays, your site must be user-friendly and ready for increased traffic. 

Avoiding these mistakes will help you create more impactful holiday marketing campaigns and ensure your brand stands out and delivers a positive customer experience. 

Plus, by getting it right during the holidays, you’ll build stronger customer relationships that extend into the post-holiday period, setting the stage for ongoing loyalty and success. 

Post-holiday reminder: Keep the momentum going 

The busiest time of the year may be over, but your efforts shouldn’t stop. Post-holiday engagement is just as important for nurturing potential customers and building long-term loyalty. Here’s how to keep the momentum going: 

• Say Thank You. Send a heartfelt thank-you email or social media post to show appreciation for your customers. This human element strengthens relationships and builds trust. 

• Promote clearance sales. Use exclusive discounts or flash sales to move leftover inventory. These sales can bring back holiday shoppers and attract new customers. 

• Ask for feedback. Use surveys or social polls to learn what customers loved about your holiday marketing campaigns. Insights like this help you plan better for next year. 

• Review your strategy. Analyze performance metrics to understand what worked. Knowing your strengths can guide future campaigns, whether it’s holiday promotions or engagement from social media shopping features.   

• Celebrate your wins. Share your holiday successes with your audience. Highlight customer stories, testimonials, or milestones like record-breaking sales. It’s a great way to maintain visibility and encourage loyalty. 

By continuing your efforts into the post-holiday period, you can transform seasonal buyers into loyal customers and set yourself up for success all year long. 

Rock your holiday marketing  

You’re all set to rock your holiday marketing campaigns! Whether it’s optimizing your website or tapping into social media, you now have everything you need to create a winning holiday campaign. Keep your audience engaged, add personal touches, and make sure your links across all channels are consistent. 

Need some holiday magic? Web.com has you covered! Our reliable hosting keeps your site performing smoothly through the busiest time of the year, while our expert web designers are ready to create eye-catching, seasonal pages just for you. Why wait? Get started today and don’t miss out on the holiday customers this year.