Can you get ahead of your holiday season marketing and New Year sales planning? John Heffernan from RedLive Media believes it’s never too late to start marketing, whatever the time of year.
The adage, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail,” is never more accurate than during holiday periods.
Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas will be upon us soon, but planning for this season and its sales opportunities cannot be delayed.
Pre-planning is not just a good idea; it’s essential. The earlier you start, the more control you have over maximizing sales opportunities and ensuring success. This proactive approach can make a significant difference in your holiday season outcomes.
Those who own hospitality businesses will no doubt dust off festive decorations, plan staff scheduling, launch seasonal offers and promotions, create special menus and ensure a superb experience for their holiday guests.
Their marketing campaigns, especially those involving content marketing and social media, should already be planned and scheduled, but it’s NOT too late!
But what about businesses that target and supply hotels, restaurants, resorts, and so on?
We all too often see suppliers and providers waiting (delaying) marketing campaigns until the New Year with a range of reasons (excuses), including:
- Our clients are too busy before and during the holiday season.
- Our clients are concentrating on their own holiday season marketing.
- Our clients don’t have budgets until the New Year.
- Our clients do not take sales calls at this time.
- And many more self-defeating misconceptions.
There is NEVER a wrong time to promote your brand. At the very minimum, place yourself front and center when your client needs your products/services.
Marketing a hospitality supplier business during the festive period requires a unique plan that includes a mix of creativity, planning, and attention to detail. For instance, a supplier could offer hotels and resorts a ‘New Year, New Look’ package, providing them with a range of updated decor options for the upcoming year.
Do your clients need to know about and should you advise product or service supply lead times?
Are they launching New Year offers immediately after the festive season ends?
Will clients have other planned marketing offers, such as January specials or even Valentine’s Day (it will be here sooner than you think) promotions?
Can you revisit client orders from past years?
By marketing your services now, even if it’s just a matter of keeping in touch, you can significantly enhance your brand perception and your supplier’s reputation and standing. This strategic marketing can make a lasting impression on your clients and prospects.
Perhaps you have your own:
- End of year ‘sales’ offers.
- Price promotions.
- Stock clearance.
- New concept products and services.
Yes, your target market contacts may be busy, but that also allows you to take the weight and assist them with their specific needs.
Consider the ways you can promote your brand now and in the future:
- Email marketing to known existing clients or prospects.
- Email marketing to general sector targets (brand awareness focus).
- Use social media channels where you know your target market is active—not just Facebook and Instagram. LinkedIn is making a real impact, particularly with C-Suite executives.
- Content marketing with authoritative and relevant messaging on your website and sites like Inside Hospitality Solutions.
- Special web pages/offers posted on your website and promoted by all the above channels.
Brand reputation and awareness of your products and services are paramount.
The time to plan your holiday and New Year campaigns is not tomorrow, not next week, but now. The sooner you start, the more prepared you’ll be to make the most of the upcoming festive season.
Discover the range of marketing services Inside Hospitality Solutions offers, designed to help you plan and execute successful holiday and New Year campaigns. Our services are tailored to the hospitality sector, ensuring your marketing efforts are targeted and effective.
Inside Hospitality Solutions services are designed to optimize your operational processes, elevate the quality of customer experiences, and ultimately boost your bottom line.
Our vastly experienced team has an in-depth understanding of the hospitality sector and can deliver brand authority and visibility with a wide range of digital marketing services, including:
- Video creation.
- Content strategy.
- Email marketing.
- Website and social media audits.
- Social media management.
Contact Yuri Duncan today to discuss how IHS Marketing can assist you.
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