Those online and local businesses who have done a good job making me keep them top-of-mind when it comes to my holiday events and shopping will definitely reap the benefits this coming month when I use their services, buy their products, or refer them to a friend.

What keeps a company top-of-mind for me?

Branded images
Useful content
Relevant and consistent emails
They ‘get me’

Here’s what I mean by that:

1: Images

I am a visual learner. If I don’t see it, I likely will not remember it. With easy-to-use tools use such as Canva or PicMonkey, you can pop your branding on any holiday-type image (be respectful of copyright). Use your branded images as your social media profile picture or create a holiday-themed cover banner for your page.

2: Useful Content

If I am following your business page on Facebook, I like to be pleased by your images. I also enjoy being led to content that informs or delights me. But, please, don’t be too wordy. I have a short attention span.

3: Tasteful Email Marketing

If I’ve opted in, I welcome your helpful emails. My inbox is crazy-full! Send me something short – with links to learn more. Make it really easy for me to get to the one thing that I will want out of the email.

Don’t forget, an image can convey a message so much more quickly than text.

This image invites the reader to enter-to-win (call to action) while also explaining exactly what is in a clambake-to-travel and how easy it is to prepare. It is linked to make it easy for the reader to find the entry form. (Go ahead, you can enter, too)

Want to know which every-day email I actually look forward to? Book Bub sends me a daily email letting me know about free and almost-free books I can download to my e-reader. Now – that’s value. (shout out to Aileen at 3am Writers for turning me on to this!)

The MailChimp Email Design Guide is filled with tips and advice to help you convey your message in style. Learn how to better use images, fonts, calls to action and more. I highly recommend looking it over.

4: Listen to What I’m Saying

Do you monitor what people are saying about your industry online? Do you use that information to your benefit? Is your business dialed in to your customers to see what they need? Are you there to help them figure out what they need before they even know what it is?

Read how my friend, Caryn, used her social listening skills brilliantly to get me to consider a cruise for my son.

Here are more resources for your Online Holiday Marketing:

Dozens of Holiday Marketing Tips presented in a fun, interactive platform via MailChimp – my takeaway – great email marketing is key to staying top of mind

Mari Smith’s Tips for the Holiday Season – my takeaway from the undisputed queen of Facebook – think like a person, not a marketer.

Influencer Marketing Strategies to Boost End-of-Year Sales – my takeaway – send a surprise gift

12 Days of Small Business Marketing Tips from AWeber – my takeaway – create a holiday themed Pinterest board (don’t forget to use images from and link back to your website when possible)

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this topic. What’s worked best for you? Contact me with your comments.

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