2023 Holiday Marketing Guide for Social Media

🛒 Social media platforms will be a key driver of sales for this Holiday Season

60% percent of Gen Z and 56% of millennials will do at least some holiday shopping on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and similar apps. Source.
6 in 10 shoppers say they get inspiration and ideas from social media platforms. Source

💰 Customers will continue to shop earlier this year

80% of holiday consumers plan to shop during Black Friday and Cyber Monday events. Source
Consumers plan to spend 50% of their holiday shopping budgets during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Source

📲 Mobile devices will dominate retail site traffic and online shopping orders

Mobile devices accounted for 74% of retail site traffic and generated 63% of online shopping orders in Q1'2023. Source.
70% of online shoppers stated that they intended to use their mobile phones to buy gifts during the Holiday Season. Source

In 2023, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) will revolutionize holiday marketing campaigns. Platforms like Facebook and TikTok are actively integrating AI into their functionalities. Meta is working on generative AI tools for Facebook and Instagram advertisers, such as AI prompts for ad captions and background generation tools for visually appealing ads.

TikTok has also introduced a script generator tool that uses generative AI to map out entire TikTok campaigns. By leveraging AI, brands can streamline campaign planning and management processes, ensuring optimized results and enhanced customer experiences.

One significant trend for the 2023 holiday season is the shift towards early shopping, even before Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This change in consumer behavior highlights the importance for marketers and advertisers to adjust their strategies accordingly.

To effectively capture the attention of early shoppers, brands should consider launching their campaigns earlier in the season. By recognizing and embracing this trend, marketers can stay ahead of the competition during the early shopping period.

56% of consumers started shopping in October instead of waiting until later in the season in 2022. Source: McKinsey & Company

During the holiday season, brands receive a surge in comments on social media platforms. To effectively manage this influx of engagement, utilizing AI is becoming increasingly important.

Solutions like BrandBastion Lite offer AI-driven features such as auto-hiding harmful comments, sentiment analysis, intent recognition, and AI-generated replies. Brands can leverage these tools to maintain a positive conversation environment, provide timely responses, and nurture customer relationships. By utilizing AI for comment management, brands can ensure a smooth and efficient interaction process, even during peak periods.

Video content has become more critical than ever for social media ads, with short-form, vertical videos leading the way. Platforms like TikTok have popularized this format, and other social apps are following the trend.

Meta reports a 24% increase in time spent on Instagram since the launch of Reels, their video feature. Facebook is also experiencing rising usage, driven by the same trend. To capture the attention of users during the holiday season, brands should focus on creating compelling video content that is immersive, engaging, and aligned with their target audience's preferences.

91% of active Instagram survey respondents say they watch videos on Instagram weekly. Source: Instagram

Direct messaging (DM) has gained significant popularity, and platforms like Instagram are introducing new features to tap into this trend. Instagram has introduced lead forms for business profiles, prompting users to share their contact information within the app.

By leveraging private messages, brands can foster direct communication, nurture leads, and build personalized connections with their audience. Incorporating DM strategies into your holiday marketing campaigns can help drive conversions and establish lasting relationships with potential customers.

The comments section of your social media posts can be a goldmine of ideas and insights. Take the time to review the comments on your previous holiday-related posts and identify recurring topics, questions, or sentiments.

BrandBastion's Inspiration Hub is a valuable resource for finding social media posts and ad ideas. You'll be able to find some of the best holiday marketing campaigns from real brands.

Observing your competitors, influencers, and thought leaders in your industry can provide valuable insights and inspiration. Monitor their social media accounts and analyze their holiday campaigns to identify successful strategies and content themes.

📅 Planning

Get ready in advance

The holiday season is a busy and critical time for brands to engage with their audience and drive sales. To make the most of this opportunity, it's essential to plan your holiday marketing calendar efficiently. Efficient planning allows you to stay organized, meet deadlines, and optimize your resources for maximum impact. Explore effective strategies and tips for planning your holiday marketing efforts efficiently.

Explore tips for planning efficiently 🡥

💙 Engaging

Improve your social customer service during the Holiday Season

Engaging your audience and optimizing your holiday marketing campaigns are crucial components of achieving success during the festive season. It's not just about reaching your target audience but also about creating meaningful connections, fostering engagement, and continually refining your strategies for optimal results. In this section, we'll explore effective ways to engage your audience and optimize your holiday marketing efforts for enhanced performance.

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📊 Analyzing

Uncover Actionable Insights

To achieve optimal results from your holiday marketing campaigns, it's crucial to analyze your efforts and generate actionable insights. By effectively analyzing data and reporting on key metrics, you can gain valuable knowledge about your audience, campaign performance, and areas for improvement. Explore the importance of analyzing and reporting, and how it can drive success during the holiday season.

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