Want to know what’s scarier than Halloween movies and Haunted Houses? Realizing it’s the middle of October, Black Friday is 1 MONTH AWAY, and 34 million U.S. adults have already begun holiday shopping! If you haven’t given your holiday marketing campaign any thought, you may want to get started, now. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a checklist of things you should be doing now to get ready for Black Friday and the holiday season, in hopes of increasing your holiday sales and staying ahead of the competition!

Step #1. Take a look at last year’s numbers and data

Take the time to reflect on last year’s trends, and how your business did to meet the customer’s needs. By looking at the sales data from the previous years, you’ll be able to predict what works and what doesn’t. Use this information to better plan for this holiday season. Utilize past sales data, social media campaigns and the number of email leads to determine your success rate.

• TomoTip – Be on the lookout for the trends of this year so you can increase the success of your marketing campaigns. (We like to use Google Trends, Twitter Advanced Search, and Buzzsumo)!

Step #2. Be “Mobile-Friendly” In Everything

The majority of holiday shoppers will not be searching for products, Black Friday sales or information on their desktop, but instead on their mobile devices. It’s important to make sure your website, emails, social media posts and ads are all easy to read on a mobile device as well as a desktop.

Step #3. Start an Email Marketing Campaign (Now)

Using email marketing to reach customers is a great way to share information, promote a product, and gain leads during the holiday season. Customers are more than likely to provide their email address if they’re given something in return such as a discount, product trial, or a coupon code. Target your customers based on their interests and social platforms!

• TomoTip: Personalize your holiday email blasts by using your customer’s first name in the subject line!

Step #4: Focus In On Your Social Media Strategy

Interact with customers through Facebook/Twitter comments and messages, by responding to FAQs, and liking their pictures. With this simple strategy, you’ll gain their support with minimal effort. To increase your holiday sales, using paid ads, so you can reach specific customers who are shopping for the products you’re offering, and offer them an unbeatable deal.

• TomoTip: Create a holiday hashtag that you can use throughout the season/campaign. You can even offer specials if customers mention this hashtag on social media to spread awareness!  

If you start planning for Black Friday and the rest of the Holiday Season now, by implementing these core marketing strategies, you should see better results than previous years.

If you’re struggling with email marketing, social media, or brand awareness, contact Tomo360 at [email protected] for assistance.