Gearing up to advertise for the holidays, but want the biggest bang for your buck? We understand. The holiday season is the perfect time of year to see a boost in sales. In fact, this year, online sales are estimated to reach $240 billion throughout November and December, an 8.4% increase from last year. Marketing around the holidays is both expensive and competitive, with thousands upon thousands of companies vying for consumer attention (and purchases). Luckily, our team here at Quantus Creative has put together a list of tips to help you maximize your ad spend this holiday season.
Seasonal Campaigns
Create campaigns that are centered around a specific holiday or the holiday season in general. Include relevant copy and visuals to catch your audience’s eye. Hire a graphic designer to assist during the holidays or use tools like Canva to create your own festive content.
Early Planning
Holiday shopping is now beginning earlier than ever, with 50% of holiday shoppers in the U.S. shopping before Thanksgiving this year. Not to mention, getting started on your holiday ads early helps build anticipation and expand reach. Campaigns should be launched well before the holiday they’re related to.
Targeted Promotions
Everyone loves a good deal! Create tailored offers and discounts targeting specific audience segments to increase the efficiency of your ad spend. Take a good look at your audience demographics and base your offers on the segment’s interests and preferred platforms. If you’d like a more in-depth look at how to promote retail products during the holidays, check out our article here.
Mobile Optimization
Many holiday shoppers now use their mobile devices to make purchases. Last year, for example, 50.6% of U.S. holiday ecommerce sales were made on mobile, and that number is expected to increase this year. Make sure that your site is fully optimized to ensure a positive customer experience. Also consider using in-app shopping. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok make it possible for users to purchase products directly on the app, simplifying the purchasing process for consumers.
A/B Testing
Test different versions of creatives, copy, and calls to action to determine what your audience prefers. A/B testing ensures that your ads resonate with your audience, therefore increasing their efficiency. Use an online tool to perform A/B testing on your content before launching campaigns.
Continue to Monitor and Adjust
Keep an eye on your performance metrics, such as click-through rates and conversion rates. Also, be prepared to adjust your strategy based on how your campaigns are performing. You may need to increase your ad spend on one successful campaign while fully discontinuing another. During this season especially, your marketing team should remain very hands-on.
The holiday season is an excellent opportunity to boost sales and brand visibility. Because of how competitive the marketing landscape becomes towards the end of the year, it’s important to get the most out of your ad spend. Use these tips to guide you while you gear up for the annual whirlwind that is the holidays. For more information on how to maximize your spend, reach out to Quantus Creative here.
