Loyalty Matters for Holiday Marketing
As the holiday season quickly approaches, many business owners are scratching their heads trying to figure out the best way to advertise without their message getting lost in the holiday clutter. Now is the perfect time to start thinking of how you want to promote your company. The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas accounts for as much as 40 percent of annual sales for some retailers. It's never too early to start planning your advertising efforts. Many companies initiate scheduling in the beginning of October.
By now you're probably thinking, "There's so many ways to advertise, which one will work best for my business?" We researched the most effective ways to advertise this season, and marketing studies show that social media should be a part of every business marketing efforts this year, due to the increased popularity among consumers and the positive effect of using Facebook Applications to further engage customers and promote your holiday discounts.
If you already have customers buying your products during the holidays, you might be wondering why it is important to offer additional coupons. Studies have shown that by providing ways for your customers to save during the holiday season, you can dramatically increase consumer loyalty which is vital for your businesses growth. This can turn your holiday shopper into a dedicated year-round customer. It also helps to stay in touch throughout the year, have a superior in-store experience, and exceed customer expectations by offering additional incentives like free shipping.
Holiday Marketing & the Facebook App Revolution
Dion Marketing launched Let's Get Social Café last month. It is a Facebook page that provides examples to businesses and potential clients of our newly developed Facebook Enhancement Package. Our package comes with a 6-month social media plan customized for each business, a complete set of Facebook Applications (apps) and graphic design. The apps give our clients effective ways to promote offers, specials, giveaways, direct links, contests, special events and can be cross promoted with E-blasts and SMS campaigns which are perfect for holiday specials. It allows customers to get involved, while also creating a proactive environment where customers can ask questions and get feedback, helping you stay in touch.
Fortunately, Facebook also offers targeted marketing strategies through their services, which can be used for location, gender, age, likes and interests, relationship status, workplace and education of your target audience. This feature is further heightened through the use of Facebook Apps. This pin points which customers you want to reach, optimizing your overall approach and getting more people interested in what discounts you offer for the holidays.
Customized social media packages are available through Let's Get Social Café, and fans can go on the page and look at active examples of each App and what they do. Dion Marketing has provided these packages for many different clients, one of them being Putt-Putt Funhouse.
Julie Dion, president and founder of Dion Marketing began working with Putt-Putt Funhouse in Houston on their Facebook page starting in February this year. Since then, they have had an 80% increase in likes and connections on the Facebook Page. In one day alone, they gained over 100 likes through a traditional marketing cross-promotion.
"Dion Marketing is currently helping us promote our Pirate Scavenger Hunt for Halloween this year, and so far we've had a really great turnout." said Jim Saxe, Owner of Putt-Putt Funhouse. "The Dion Marketing team never ceases to amaze us - not only do they take the time to make sure their marketing efforts meet our standards but they truly care about the success of our business and it shows."