5 last minute Christmas marketing activities that’ll reconnect you with your customers.

I don’t know about you, but over the last few months I’ve found it harder to stay consistent with my marketing. And I know I’m not alone. 

When we were locked down, a lot of business owners found they had time to write and share great blogs that resonated with their customers. They had time to send regular newsletters and post more often on social media.

But, since restrictions were lifted in the summer, these tasks have slipped down the to-do list and many people have lost the momentum they built up in their marketing. 

So if you’re wondering how best to reignite your marketing this December, here’s 5 things you can do today to reconnect with your customers this Christmas...

1. Reconnect with your list 

If you’ve lost touch with your list, then now is a perfect time to reconnect! Send them a yearly roundup email, updating them on what’s changed in your business and asking for feedback on what they’d like to see more of next year. 

If you’re shutting down for Christmas or have different working hours over the festive period, now is the time to let your customers know. Or even simply drop them an email wishing them a happy Christmas.

2. Send a Christmas card (or a little gift if you’re feeling generous) to anyone who’s had a positive impact on your business ​

These could include your top referrers, a new customer who’s been an absolute joy to work with this, or a long-term, loyal customer who keeps coming back for more! 

It doesn’t have to be a big, expensive gift. Sometimes a handwritten, heartfelt message in a card means just as much. The important thing is to show them they are appreciated and their support has been recognised. Don't underestimate the impact this marketing activity can have on your loyal customers and referrals.

3. 12 days of Christmas 

This year, I’ve noticed a lot of businesses doing 24-days of advent giveaways and a countdown to Christmas. But you don't have to give your products for free to do a countdown campaign. 

Here’s a couple of ideas you could consider...

• 12 content ideas or templates in the run up to christmas. This is a really busy time of year for a lot of businesses, so help them out by giving them a starting point for their content.
  
• 12 days of Facebook Lives offering your top tips in your niche
  
• 12 days of positive affirmations for the official 12 days of Christmas (25 December - 5th January) 
  
• 12 days of giving. This would work really well if you run a not-for-profit or have a charity that is particularly close to your heart. You can log your 12 days of giving and encourage your customers to join you.
  

4. Post a Christmas blog

If the consistency of your blog posts has dipped towards the end of this year, now is a great time to share a useful and upbeat blog. This could be a brand new blog your customers will find helpful, a seasonal article about something relevant to your customers right now, or a reworking of an old-but-still-relevant blog that's dropped off people's radars and can be quickly refreshed.

Alternatively, if you don't have the time to write a blog, you could record a video of yourself for your social media feeds or go live on Facebook.

5. Plan some marketing to go out in the ‘down time’ between Christmas and New Year

Because so many businesses close between Christmas and New Year, this time is often missed from people's marketing planners. But, this time when the majority of people are flopped on the sofa snacking on chocolate, scrolling through social media and recovering from a year of madness is a great time to pop up with some useful content. 

They may not want anything too ‘businessy’, but a post that checks in with them, reflects on the year, celebrates their wins and asks about goals and New Year resolutions is a great way to stay on their radar going into the New Year. Plus, apps like Hootsuite and Facebook Business Suite allow you to schedule these ahead of time!

What’s your New Year's resolution?

I’ve spoken to a lot of people recently who have said that marketing is high on their list for next quarter. 

If that’s the case for you too then set your New Year’s resolution now, to get a strategic plan in place. The next intake of the Marketing Machine Programme (which will give you a strategy and plan, and support you as you implement it) starts on 26 January. Find out more by heading over to https://mmp.rosconkie.com/mmp.