As we move further into the second half of the year (Where has the time gone?!), remember that holiday marketing season can be a make-or-break time for your business. No matter your industry, this is your chance each year to connect with customers when they’re most ready to engage, spend, and celebrate. With increased competition, shifting consumer habits, and a crowded digital landscape, you have to have a smart strategy in place to be successful. Here’s what you need to know about holiday marketing, how to make your efforts count this year, and some actionable tips to get ahead of the game.
Why Is Holiday Marketing So Important?
There are many things we can say about the importance of positioning your business strategically during the holiday season, and we’ll get to that, but the numbers speak for themselves. According to the National Retail Federation, retail sales during the 2024 holiday season hit a record $994.1 billion.
In addition to offering big sales opportunities, holiday marketing is a powerful opportunity to build loyalty, attract new customers, and re-engage your existing audience at a time when they’re already in buying mode. With a large number of consumers actively seeking gifts, deals, and meaningful purchases during the holidays, brands that show up with targeted campaigns can stand out in a crowded market. By planning ahead and aligning your creative direction with your audience’s needs and desires, you can turn holiday momentum into success that lasts into the new year.
Holiday Marketing Strategies That Work
Here’s how to take full advantage of the holiday season:
1. Start Sooner Than You Think
More consumers are shopping earlier each year. Shipping delays are common during the holidays, and no one wants to end up empty-handed when it’s time for the gift exchange. Plan your campaigns to begin in early October, with teasers leading into full launches in November.
2. Optimize for Mobile
In 2024, 54% of online holiday sales were made on smartphones. If your site, emails, and ads aren’t optimized for smartphones, you’re leaving money on the table. Make sure your checkout process is smooth, your site loads fast, and your CTAs are phone-friendly.
3. Leverage Emotion and Storytelling
The holidays are emotional. Campaigns that highlight nostalgia, giving, gratitude, and family consistently outperform generic promotions. Show how your product or service fits into your customer’s holiday story.
4. Run Strategic Promotions
Holiday shoppers are gift-focused. Frame your offers as solutions for them and their loved ones. Sales are expected, but a truly valuable promotion will win every time.
Consider these tried-and-true promotion ideas:
- Bundle deals
- Limited-time offers
- Free shipping minimums
- Gift-with-purchase promotions
5. Remarket
Cart abandoners, last year’s customers, website lurkers. The holidays are the perfect time to re-engage old and cold audiences with a fresh, festive message. Use retargeting ads, segmented email campaigns, and SMS marketing to bring them back.
6. Partner with an Agency for Expert Guidance
When you work with a marketing agency like Hexcode, you get access to a team of experts with the knowledge, tools, and experience to elevate your brand during the holidays (and every other time of year). Whether you’re launching a seasonal campaign or building a long-term marketing strategy, partnering with professionals can help you avoid costly mistakes and achieve measurable success faster.
Key Holiday Marketing Dates to Know in 2025
- Halloween: October 31
- Thanksgiving: November 27
- Black Friday: November 28
- Small Business Saturday: November 29
- Cyber Monday: December 1
- Last-Minute Shopping Week: December 17–24
- Post-Holiday Sales: December 26 onward
Ready To Make This Holiday Season Your Best Yet?
Holiday marketing can feel very overwhelming for business owners and marketers, but with the right strategy and execution, it can easily be your most profitable time of year. If you’re looking for help crafting a campaign that converts during the holiday season, Hexcode is here for you. Contact us today to get started.
