Never underestimate the power of the seasons; their impact on society and the significant role they play in our lives. The world looks forward to certain celebratory seasons and occasions because of their emotional and educational value. Seasonal marketing campaigns can be the most influential contributor to a brand's success, inspiring customers to return multiple times throughout the year due to a positive 'first contact' experience. Seasonal campaigns matter because they're relevant to the times we're living in now. Everything we know and do is subject to being shared; from minute-to-minute restaurant experiences to hashtags that can boost sales with a single word. Then there are the Instagram stories that carry with them the short yet powerful punch that can increase your bottom line simply by being in the right place at the right time.
Seasonal marketing campaigns remind us that "timing is still everything."
2. Never underestimate the power of the seasons; their impact on society and the
significant role they play in our lives. The world looks forward to certain celebratory
seasons and occasions because of their emotional and educational value. Seasonal
marketing campaigns can be the most influential contributor to a brand's success,
inspiring customers to return multiple times throughout the year due to a positive 'first
contact' experience. Seasonal campaigns matter because they're relevant to the times
we're living in now. Everything we know and do is subject to being shared; from minute-
to-minute restaurant experiences to hashtags that can boost sales with a single word.
Then there are the Instagram stories that carry with them the short yet powerful punch
that can increase your bottom line simply by being in the right place at the right time.
Seasonal marketing campaigns remind us that "timing is still everything."
Integrated Plans that Grow Audience's All
Year Long
3. Every retailer and e-commerce site has
the opportunity to make a lasting,
profitable impression during a particular
season. Some clichés, though overused,
never go out of style. They're an integral
part of certain strategies that remain tied
to images, memories, and buying
patterns.
Marketers who successfully weave
intellect, emotion, and spirituality into
the fabric of their seasonal campaigns
have a better chance of connecting to the
customer on a personal level.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY: USING FAMILIAR CONCEPTS TO
MAXIMIZE RESULTS
4. It's all about strategy when choosing the
right season to market your business.
For example, you're in the pet food
business and the Christmas season is
right around the corner. Consumers who
love spoiling their furry friends also buy
them gifts. It's a great time of year to
add pictures of pets wearing snowshoes
or waiting on the porch for the next
package delivery.
SEASONAL MARKETING CAMPAIGNS: HOW EARLY IS TOO
EARLY?
It's easy and it makes sense to use real-life scenarios that people experience
in their daily lives.
5. Even though a season is short, it provides countless opportunities to reach
beyond your present customer. By providing your customers with the
following services, you plant seeds that grow throughout the life of your
business. Taking advantage of seasonal marketing strategies such as Christmas
in July can entice shoppers to purchase items earlier than anticipated by
simply making it worth their while.
•Shipping options: Allow customers a ship date they can lock in now
•Wishlist: The perfect way to give the perfect gift while referring new
customers to your site
•Flash sales: A welcome, worthwhile surprise for existing customers
•Rewards: The word says it all; we know you and we thank you
•Huge discounts: Meaning what you say, and saying what you mean builds
trust and creates brand loyalty
6. According to Internet Retailer's Peak Seasons Report there are five holiday
and non-holiday seasons that account for more than $136.69 billion in
online sales:
•Valentine's Day
•Mother's Day
•Back-to-School
•Halloween
•Christmas/Hanukkah
KNOW YOUR SEASONS AND START PLANNING: MEET THE
TOP 5
7. E-commerce sites base much of their seasonal marketing strategies on these top 5
occasions, knowing the success and expansion of their business may be dramatically
influenced by seasonal shoppers. Marketing professionals who neglect including these
occasions in their seasonal merchandising plans run the risk of missing optimal growth
opportunities for the rest of the year.
According to Internet Retailer, "These five holiday periods combined accounted for an
Internet Retailer-estimated $806.31 billion in total retail sales from Halloween 2017
through back-to-school season 2018. This 17% is higher than e-commerce's usual
share of total retail sales, which Internet Retailer estimates was 13% of total retail
sales in 2017.
The report can be a guide for merchants to maximize sales during these periods, as it
reveals key shopper trend data, including conversion rates and traffic, for each holiday
and explains the online selling nuances for each. For example, nearly 70% of online
spend on Mother's Day occurs just one week before the holiday, while the back-to-
school online shopping season lasts for more than two months."
8. RE-VAMPING AND RE-CYCLING SEASONAL
CAMPAIGNS
Cost effective thinking is a useful strategy and it's a place where humor can really help.
Once you commit to a specific advertising campaign, take another look. Can it be used
during another time of the year? Does it include materials that are time-sensitive? Is
there a way to add humor to re-market the product?
Things to look for when the season is over:
• Did the campaign produce desired results?
• Were there any constructive criticisms or reviews on the product?
• Did the content inform adequately?
• Were the product listings easy to understand and navigate?
• Did we maximize our potential by using multiple content types and various distribution
platforms?
• What message did we send to the world?
• Is there an emotional takeaway from this campaign that can be meaningful later on?
• Sticking to a Schedule
9. Prepping for a season should immediately make you aware of the hundreds
or thousands of other companies who are preparing as well. Everybody is
going to be busy at the same time. You can turn this into an advantage by
being prepared and ready to go at least two months before the holiday --
the sooner, the better.
Time is of the essence when planning a seasonal
campaign. This translates to meticulous timing and
attention to detail. If you're printing promotional
materials, allow time for corrections. If your plans
include a winter car sale, make sure the video
production is completed by then.
These are the points that make the difference. And, they
provide you with opportunities to sit with your marketing team
and talk about them together. One new idea can transform
your ad into a seasonal favorite, increasing brand awareness
and giving you a positive brand image.
10. Seasonal marketing takes place now but, it lives in the future. We see it over
and over again, the companies who produce relevant yet timeless
campaigns become part of our lives. Appealing to humanity's heart is a
seasonal campaign. Within its pictures, words, and music lies the power to
make us laugh, cry, or both. Certainly, gifts to be used wisely.