Hot off the Presses.

The holiday rush sneaks up fast, so don’t wait until the last minute to plan. This is the busiest shopping season of the year, and your audience is primed to buy — if you can grab their attention. But with everyone and their mother pushing holiday promos, you need a holiday marketing strategy that makes your content stand out and hit home.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a massive budget or endless hours to make it happen. With some smart planning and a few power moves, you can set up social media holiday marketing strategies that work harder than you this season.

Start Early by Creating a Holiday Content Calendar

The best way to stay ahead? Create a holiday content calendar right now if you haven’t already! Your content calendar should cover Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and all the way through New Year’s. Plan your promotions, events and special offers around these dates.

Some things to consider adding to your holiday content calendar are:

• Promotions and sales events for key shopping days
• Engagement content like holiday countdown of “gift of the day” posts
• Customer appreciation posts to keep followers engaged throughout the season

Having effective holiday marketing strategies means planning ahead and staying one step ahead of the game, even when the holiday craze hits.

Boost Your Posts with Holiday-Themed Ads

Want to reach more people? Boosting your posts could be the answer! If you’re looking to get your holiday content in front of more eyes without spending a fortune, boosting posts is a simple, effective solution. With a small budget and the right targeting, you can increase your reach, attract local customers and drive engagement on key holiday promotions.

Pro Tip: Focus on posts that are already performing well or that feature key holiday offers to get the most out of your boosted budget.

Go Local with Geo-Targeted Ads

If you’re a brick-and-mortar biz, the holiday season is the perfect time to use geo-targeted ads and reach shoppers right in your area. Whether you’re promoting in-store deals, special holiday events or last-minute gift ideas, make sure your ads are getting in front of the right people — locals who can actually visit you.

Facebook and Instagram’s geo-targeted ads are affordable and incredibly effective when done right. Focus on targeting areas around your location, down to specific zip codes or neighborhoods. If you’re running an event, target those who live near popular holiday spots or are likely to attend local markets and gatherings. Running a pop-up? Target your ads directly to those areas to maximize foot traffic.

Host a Holiday Giveaway or Contest

Everybody loves a freebie, especially during the holidays. Plus, giveaways are one of the easiest ways to boost engagement. Run a contest where followers can win a holiday prize — think gift cards, exclusive bundles or services. Make the entry simple: ask followers to like, share, tag friends or repost your giveaway content. Not only does this drive engagement, but it also brings new potential customers into your circle.

You can also:

• Encourage user-generated content by asking people to tag you in their holiday photos with your product.
• Host a contest that taps into holiday traditions, like best-decorated storefront or holiday lights.
• Partner with local businesses for a local holiday giveaway bundle that appeals to your community.

Run Limited-Time Holiday Offers and Flash Sales

Holiday shoppers love a deal, especially if they feel like they’re getting something exclusive. Flash sales, countdowns and limited-time offers are perfect for creating that holiday urgency. Promotions that make people feel exclusive drive that “buy now” mentality, so keep them short and sweet to maximize impact.

Some things you can consider are:

• 24-hour flash sales that offer a different item or service each day
• Exclusive holiday bundles that combine your products or services into gift ready packages or unbeatable deals
• Use countdown posts to major shopping days like, “3 Days Until Our Black Friday Sale!”

Take advantage of the countdown timer on Instagram Stories to build excitement, or run a “12 Days of Deals” series where each day features a new special offer.

Create a Last-Minute Gift Guide of Special Offers

Not everyone shops early, and the last-minute crowd is real. They’re also primed to buy (and buy fast). Cater to those who still have some shopping to do by creating a “Last-Minute Gift Guide” or posting special deals leading up to Christmas and the New Year. This type of content appeals to shoppers who are in a hurry and looking for quick, easy options.

Ideas for last-minute content:

• Gift guides for different audiences (“Best Gifts Under $50” or “Perfect Gifts for Food Lovers”)
• In-store only promotions for locals needing a last-minute option
• Posts that highlight easy-to-purchase gift cards or services they can buy for loved ones

Wrap Up the Season with a Heartfelt “Thank You”

Once the holiday dust has settled, take a moment to thank your customers and followers for supporting your business this year. Share a sincere message about how much their loyalty means, and show gratitude for their part in your success. This isn’t just a feel-good gesture — it’s a powerful way to build community loyalty and let your audience know they’re more than just numbers to you.

Go Big This Holiday Season!

Don’t let your social media marketing strategies get lost in the holiday noise — own it. With these strategies, your biz will capture attention, bring in new customers and end the year strong. Ready to get started? Check out our Social Media Services for more support on scaling your brand this season. Let’s make this holiday season your best one yet!