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The 2021 Holiday Season is ramping up, with Black Friday just a few short weeks away. Now is the time to start putting your holiday strategies into action.
Starting with building an engaged community.
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are two powerful social media channels to consider.
Between TikTok’s brand discovery engine and new Instagram features that make in-app shopping seamless, both should be part of your marketing efforts this holiday season.
What’s new?
What’s new in Marketing?
TikTok videos boost sales, exposure for small eastern Ontario businesses – Eastern Ontario business owners say they’ve seen sales skyrocket in recent months after turning to TikTok for promotion, where marketing videos go viral.
Facebook skirts Apple’s App Store fees with custom subscription links for creators – Creators will soon be able to share custom web links directing their fans to pay them for subscriptions using Facebook’s native payments system.
Google My Business, now known as Google Business Profile – Google Business Profile will be the new name going forward for Google My Business to “keep things simple”
Meta, formerly Facebook, is reportedly planning retail stores as it pushes into the metaverse – Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is reportedly planning physical stores to showcase virtual reality headsets as it moves into the metaverse.
Facebook Abandons Facial Recognition – Facebook has announced that it’s shutting down its facial recognition program and that it will also delete all of its facial recognition files.
Pinterest Announces ‘Pinterest TV’ Shoppable Live-Stream Series – Pinterest is looking to lean into the rising live-stream commerce trend, which has already gained huge traction in China
What’s Working?
Social media can play a big role in your sales techniques, especially with TikTok and Instagram.
This Holiday Season, you want to ensure you’re effectively using these platforms to the best of their abilities.
Let’s show you what you can do!
Tips To Increase Holiday Season Sales
During the holiday season, social media comes alive with festive content. Here’s what you can do:
- Build an engaged community.
- Showcase your brand’s story.
- Create unique, personalized content.
- Start livestreaming & collaborating.
- Offer gift guides and helpful buyer tips!
Using TikTok to Increase Sales This Holiday Season
TikTok is a massive discovery engine where there is something for everyone!
TikTokers love to shop, share their thoughts on recent purchases, and discuss the online consumer experience.
This combination of an active, engaged community and discoverability makes TikTok the perfect platform for brands to be part of the latest holiday trends and moments.
Humanizing Your Brand
As humans, a lot of our actions are direct results of how we feel. One of the best marketing strategies is to use an authentic approach.
Humanize your brand by evoking emotion and showcasing your true personality.
Who are you? What’s your story?
TikTok loves feel-good content, so make sure your videos evoke positive emotions such as humour, sentiment and nostalgia!
Create Unique Content
Keep your videos fresh and introduce new perspectives to your brand. This is where you can really take a personal approach with your content.
Some video topics to consider:
- Meet the team – employee introductions
- Showcase “behind the scenes” content
- Show your “day in the life” at the company
- Discuss your values as a small business
- Show your success story – where did you start?
Create an Engaged Community
Use discoverability tools such as holiday branded hashtags to reach new audiences and increase levels of engagement.
Explore Gamified Effects and AR Branded Effects as they are fun and interactive tools for creating holiday content that people want to see.
Reply to your comments and stitch or duet other creators’ videos! Talk to your audience.
An engaged community starts with you.
Go Live
TikTok Live is a great way to present new content formats and let your personality shine.
Use this time to engage with your audience and show them who you really are!
Some topics to consider:
- Host a Q&A session
- Live shopping: Demonstrate new & popular products
- Small talk: Get to know your audience
- Gift guides: Help your audience find the perfect holiday gifts
Using Instagram to Increase Sales This Holiday Season
Nearly 40% of all eCommerce purchases were made on a smartphone during the previous holiday season.
As one of the fastest-growing visual platforms, Instagram has become a perfect marketplace for online shopping:
- 80% of users follow at least one brand on the platform.
- 60% of Instagrammers discover products in-app.
- One-third of the most-viewed stories come from businesses.
Features to Utilize
There are various features on Instagram where you can connect with your audience in unique and engaging ways.
- Stories: Host Q&A sessions, post testimonials, employee takeover, product updates
- Reels: Show “behind the scenes”, packing an order, gift guides for loved ones
- IG Shopping: Allow customers to shop your products without leaving the app
Use Limited-Time Offers and Deals
Believe it or not, time-limited offers and deals work!
The Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) effect has a great impact on customers, as a result, they hasten to buy from you during a certain period of time to earn rewards
Showcase the importance of the event to increase buyer motivation and create buzz around your limited-time sale!
Keep in mind that most holiday shoppers are in a time crunch, so keep your offer simple and intriguing.
Collaborate With Small Businesses
Collaborating with other small businesses is not only great year-round, but it is especially helpful during the holiday season!
Work with brands that complement yours to create seasonal gift packages that everyone will love.
For example, if you’re a small business that sells coffee products, see if you can partner with a small pottery business that makes mugs!
This helps buyers find the perfect gift for their loved ones and allows them to support multiple small businesses at once.
Share Last-Minute Gift Ideas
Do you have that one family member that is impossible to buy for? More and more customers wait until the last minute to buy holiday gifts.
Shoppers don’t have much time to discover various products from different companies, so they buy from the brand that helps them find what they’re looking for.
Consider creating gift guides to alleviate shoppers’ stress and give them a better idea as to what their loved ones might want!
Building Loyalty and Long-Term Growth
Customer loyalty is all about creating positive relationships with your audience.
Furthermore, there are many ways to do this on TikTok and Instagram!
- Stay Genuine: The community rewards authenticity! Tell a story through your content.
- Do Engaging: Treat your audience like your #1 fans! Respond to their comments, like their posts, answer their questions.
- Stand Beneficial: Provide informative content and exclusive benefits to your audience.
Wrapping It Up
There are many exciting and unique strategies that you can incorporate into your social media efforts this holiday season!
Remember to be authentic and aim to thrill your customers while making their holiday season stress-free and joyous!
