Although summer just started, we all know the holidays are around the corner so we need to start planning. The holiday season is full of opportunities for businesses. To make the most of this festive period, it’s essential to plan your holiday campaigns well in advance. In this blog post, we’ll explore the numerous benefits of starting your holiday campaigns early and how they can give you a competitive edge.

Capitalize on Early Bird Shoppers

Depending on what holiday/holidays you are planning for, you might benefit from launching your campaign earlier than you thought. Think about the holiday you are planning for, do people usually decorate? Are gifts exchanged during that holiday? Holidays like Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving require decorations weeks in advance. This means people are thinking about these holidays for a long time before the actual holiday. If your offering could be gifted, you want people to think of you early on. 

By launching your holiday campaigns early, you can tap into the purchasing behavior of early bird shoppers. Many consumers begin their holiday shopping well before the peak season, looking for deals, discounts, and unique gift ideas. By being one of the first businesses to engage with these eager shoppers, you can increase your chances of attracting their attention and securing early sales.

Build Anticipation and Excitement

Planning early allows you to build anticipation and excitement among your target audience especially if you are planning to launch an offering specific to a holiday. Through teaser campaigns, sneak peeks, and pre-launch announcements, you can generate buzz and create a sense of anticipation for your holiday offerings. People love to get an “exclusive” or limited edition product or service as a gift as well as for themselves so get people excited early on. This heightened anticipation can translate into increased interest, engagement, and customer loyalty. Starbucks teases its holiday drinks early on so people get excited and line up at stores on launch day.

Stay Ahead of the Competition

Launching your holiday campaigns early gives you a significant advantage over competitors who are slow to start. By capturing the attention of consumers before they’re bombarded with other holiday promotions, you can establish your brand as a frontrunner and set the tone for the entire season. This head start allows you to stand out, make a lasting impression, and secure a larger share of the market.

Remember, you can start your holiday campaign in a subtle way. You don’t need to bring Santa Claus or rain deer into your visuals in September. But you can add a subtle ribbon or some of the holiday colors. You can incorporate the more obvious holiday components slowly.

Maximize Marketing Efforts

Starting early provides you with enough time to fine-tune your marketing strategies and channels. You can conduct thorough market research, identify the most effective platforms, and create compelling content that resonates with your target audience. If you were planning on adding an influencer strategy, you need to be able to not only work with your schedule but with their schedule too.

With a well-crafted and comprehensive marketing plan in place, you can execute your campaigns flawlessly, optimizing your budget, and maximizing your return on investment.

Minimize Stress and Errors

Launching holiday campaigns can be a stressful process, but by planning early, you can minimize last-minute rushes and potential errors. With ample time on your side, you can carefully plan and execute each element of your campaign, ensuring that your messaging, visuals, and logistics are aligned. This will not only reduce stress but also allow you to deliver a seamless and exceptional customer experience.

You also want to give yourself enough time to fail and pivot if needed. Many times, things can go wrong and if you start planning your campaign early you can revise and redirect without missing the holiday. 

Starting your holiday campaigns early is a strategic move that offers numerous advantages. By capitalizing on early shoppers, building anticipation, staying ahead of the competition, maximizing marketing efforts, and minimizing stress, you position your business for success during the festive season. So, don’t wait until the last minute – start planning your holiday campaigns early and unlock the full potential of this magical time of the year.

To learn more about Maximising Your Marketing Budget click here.

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