You couldn't have missed it — Christmas is speeding toward us! You should start preparing your social media now to welcome a community in the full frenzy of the end of the year. This is when your sales surge, because consumers want to treat themselves and spoil their loved ones.
However, competition is fierce! So how can you make the most of Christmas magic to optimize your social media strategy? What activations can you offer to bring prospects into your store or to your e-commerce site?
Focus on efficient strategies to implement on your social media.
1. Prepare your actions now
When it comes to organization, it's now or never! As soon as you finish this article, dive into your Excel sheets, project tracking tools and other software necessary for managing your Christmas activities.
In your calendar, don’t just mark the moment when these operations will take place! You need to schedule setup, launch, and the analysis of results. The more precise your planning, the more successful your campaigns will be.
2. Change your cover photos
Announce that your business is celebrating thanks to the cover of your social media profiles! Twitter, Facebook and even LinkedIn feature a large header banner on your profile, which is important to customize each season.
Red and green colors, glitter, gifts, Christmas trees and fireworks will therefore dress up your page and clearly signal that you’re ready to celebrate the end of the year with your followers.
To help you create your Facebook cover images, here are several templates available to download for free.
3. Launch a big contest
December is often synonymous with generosity. So play Santa and give away wonderful gifts. This seemingly altruistic act actually brings benefits to your business.
Thanks to a giveaway you:
- Increase your visibility
- Gain new subscribers
- Build loyalty with your community
Three essential objectives to secure your year-end revenue, especially if you’re in e-commerce!
Work with influencers to run a contest on their profile. In exchange for gifts or payment, ask them to give away a product or a voucher to their community.
You’ll gain better visibility with a qualified audience ready to spend their money on fun, original gifts!
4. Turn customers into advocates
At Christmas, internet users look for good deals and original gifts to please their loved ones. You probably know your target audience well and know what they’re looking for during the holidays. So use the advertising platforms at your disposal to turn your followers into advocates!
Via Facebook Ads or Twitter Ads, target your potential customers with a message that invites them to share your products with their friends. Those friends might then think to come to you for their gifts.
Of course, also speak to them directly to encourage them to treat themselves to a little Christmas gift…
5. Adapt your editorial line
Finally, if you want to engage your community with your business during the holidays, offer them content tailored to the season! Help your followers to:
- Choose their gifts
- Decorate their home
- Cook a nice meal, etc.
With these posts, you create a sense of closeness with them, show that you’re on the same wavelength, and actively take part in this joyful time.
6. Create your hashtag
What if you created your own hashtag on your social networks for the end-of-year holidays?
Generally, we recommend doing this for any event important matter that concerns your brand. For example:
- Halloween
- The Black Friday
- The Valentine's Day, etc.
It's a way to be involved in the relevant event, to appear more credible and to stand out more in the eyes of your audience!
Also, if your hashtag is impactful enough and you execute your communication campaign well, you may see an increase in traffic to your website tied to your community sharing your hashtag — and more besides! Interesting, right? And when your hashtag is shared, you also need to monitor comments about your brand, reviews and debates.
Beyond that, it's also a way to stand out from your competitors!
In 2017, Cdiscount partnered with the youmakefashion account to promote its hashtag #lenoelcdiscountdeco during a giveaway!
7. Stay in the moment
The present moment! It's the cornerstone of social media. Users are constantly scrolling through a massive stream of content. They look for engaging content that speaks to them in the moment.
The best approach is to deliver captivating messages that will grab the public's attention during this festive period. To start:
- Give your social profiles a Christmas makeover: change the cover images, avatar, and the tone of your posts
- Offer buying guides
- Run Christmas contests with bundles of gifts to win
Moreover, the end-of-year holidays encourage impulse and 'must-have' purchases. It is essential to communicate a sense of urgencyTo do this:
- Offer limited editions
- Create flash sales
- Release promotional codes that are valid for a very limited time
8. Leverage gift lists
You're more likely to make sales if your products are featured on gift lists shared by influencers.
Sending one of your flagship Christmas products unsolicited is one of the effective methods to secure a spot on these lists. You can also message influencers to ask if they plan to create this type of content and whether you might be mentioned.
However, don't forget to offer something in return!
9. Use Christmas storytelling
Consumers love Christmas feel-good stories! Just look at the slew of Christmas TV movies and films offered on every television channel and even on streaming services.
Tap into this magical world to tell stories that showcase your products and services. They play on your audience's emotions, giving your brand a human touch.
Never forget that the internet user is not just an IP address but a flesh-and-blood person. Treat them as you would an in-person customer. Make them dream and show how deeply your brand is rooted in the magic of Christmas.
Petit Bateau Instagram story
To liven up your social networks during Christmas, post:
- Fairy tales
- A video showcasing your Christmas collection
- Lifestyle visuals that reflect the magic of Christmas: snowy landscapes, mountains of presents, decorated trees, children on holiday…
Of course, don't forget to include a call to action!
After being carried away by the beauty of your story, users should be able to access your products or services easily! Add a link to your website (also decorated for Christmas!), to your buying guides, or to your private messaging so consumers are encouraged to ask you questions before purchase.
This will allow you to support them all the way to conversion in a personalized and effective way.
10. Send surprise gifts
Who doesn't love gifts? Be the Santa of this year-end season by surprising your customers, brand fans and influencers who have stayed loyal throughout the year.
You can send small thank-you gifts to your most passionate followers: Swaga sample, a product, a gift voucher… The result? Positive (and low-cost) exposure on social media!
11. Co-create visual content with an influencer
You only have a short time to capture the audience's attention.
To engage your community, offer visuals created in collaboration with an influencer. These can take the form of an infographic, a video, or an Instagram story.
Create simple, attractive, and easily shareable content that showcases bloggers, the brand, and your world.
12. Create a program for top-performing influencers
Usually, brands offer financial compensation for conversions and sales. This holiday season, contact your favorite influencers and give them a discount code to share with their community as a Christmas gift.
The advantage of this strategy is that it helps you identify the highest-performing influencers—the ones you'll need to pamper next year.
13. Put your fans in the spotlight
Promote the voice of consumers and share content created by your customers and influencers about your brand.
Consider including these people's reviews in your captions so your community can get a sense of the quality of your products and services. This kind of sharing reassures internet users who know little about your company and need to read others' opinions before making a purchase.
Don't forget to include a call to action at the end of these posts. Ideally, it should encourage visiting your website.
14. Find new influencers for Christmas
Use influencers to bring your brand to life at the end of the year!
If you analyze your comments and shares, you'll recognize loyal followers who regularly engage with your posts. Make them ambassadors for your brand! Especially if they have a blog or social media accounts with hundreds of followers…
Offer them a voucher for your website or send them a product of their choice to encourage them to share your end-of-year offers with their community.
Many bloggers run large Christmas contests with multiple prizes to win. This might be the time to offer your articles to gain visibility.
The goal is to leverage your established audience to expand your visibility during a highly strategic period.
Using customers who are convinced by your products or services creates a climate of trust among prospects. They can easily identify with other users who understand their real needs. You can then boost your visibility and sales at a lower cost.
Conclusion
For all brands, the end of the year is an opportunity to meet financial targets and start the following year on the right foot.
Capitalize on the magic of the holidays to liven up your social media and boost your visibility while increasing your revenue! Be sure to diversify your presence as much as possible to grow your audience and reach your business goals.
This year, hire a professional community manager to handle your social media for the wonderful celebration that is Christmas! Post a project on Codeur.com and connect with many professional web freelancers for your needs.
