Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Social Media Tips for the Silly Season


As marketers, we would always recommend that our clients plan their Christmas Marketing early, as a part of their 12 month calendar. However, we understand that time gets away and before you know it, the silly season is upon us and we’re putting that tree back up and pulling out those Christmas lights!


If you've left it to the last minute..yes we mean you…social media is your friend.
We have put together some quick and easy ways for you to promote over the Christmas period to ensure your business is #1 on the Christmas wish list.


Promote your Christmas specials
The most obvious way to use social media during the silly season - promote your Christmas specials and offers. Think about your product/service of the week, take a photo, write a call to action and promote across all platforms. Psst…. Secret Santa Tip - Did you know you can boost & pre-schedule Facebook posts? Ask us how today!!


Cross promote with other businesses
In order to increase your reach, why not cross promote with a complementary business. For example, if you’re a mechanic, why not promote holiday travel safety with the local tyre dealer? If you’re a hairdresser, why not team up with the local beauty parlour? Support each other and encourage people to shop locally!!


Make it “Christmassy”
Don’t forget to add just a touch of Christmas spirit to your social media pages. Design a banner with a Christmas message, or use this area as an additional promotional tool for your Christmas specials. Psst… Secret Santa Tip - Canva is a fantastic free tool to design some banners yourself. 


Add a personal touch
Throughout our work with our clients, we have noticed that posts which receive the most reach (on average) are the personal ones. Ask your team to identify a hot product, and post as an ‘employee pick.’ Don't forget to make it 'Christmassy!'


Make Christmas easier
Christmas is hard. Planning what you’re going to buy for your family and friends, organising Christmas lunch and dinner, sorting out where the in-laws are going to sleep. OK, now I’m beginning to feel dizzy. Take a little stress of your customers. For example, if you’re a supermarket or butcher, post some yummy festive recipes featuring your produce. Tyre dealers and mechanics, why not post a simple car safety check-list for holiday travels. Images are also gold, why not put together some gift ideas, segmented in terms of target audience, for example Christmas Gift Ideas for Her. The options are endless, you just need to think outside the square, and put yourself in your customer's shoes.


Don’t forget #hashtags!
Hashtags are used to hyperlink search results and ultimately increase engagement. Use hashtags such as #christmasgiftideas #christmasshopping #christmas #giftideasforher and so on. This will ensure you’re registering in these search results. Psst…Secret Santa Tip - Check out trending hash tags and see how you can incorporate them into your Facebook posts. Work smarter, not harder :) 


Last but not least.....respond in a timely manner
We all know Christmas is a busy time for everyone, but don't forget to respond to your customers enquiries across your social media platforms. If you don't have time, assign one of your staff to do this on your behalf!


Merry Christmas!!