Nine ways to make your holiday marketing stand out from years gone by

As they plan for this year's holiday season, many business owners are looking for something new to shake up their current marketing routine. It's easy for holiday marketing to become stale, especially when it relies on old gimmicks or traditional strategies from years past. To stand out among the sea of ​​other companies eager to increase their sales, companies will need to get a little more creative.

To help, nine members of the Young Entrepreneur Council each list one thing companies can do to make their holiday marketing stand out from years past and how it will affect their relationships with current and future customers.

1. Make customers part of your holiday traditions

One way businesses can make their holiday marketing stand out is to focus on creating more personal and relevant content. It can be anything from behind-the-scenes videos of your team getting ready for the holiday rush to images or stories that capture the spirit of the season. The goal is to connect with your audience on a more personal level and make them feel part of your holiday traditions. This will help create a bond between your brand and your customers that will last long after the holidays are over. - Blair Williams, MemberPress

2. Give gifts

Give gifts during the holiday season. For example, offering a free item on a $60 purchase creates a sort of gratitude loop that makes customers want to spend more with your brand. If gifts are a challenge, offer free shipping this Christmas. Host a social media livestream contest to drive interest and demand for your best-selling products and improve visibility. Plan these campaigns early and make full use of social media. In the midst of inflation and rising prices, giving freebies or running a contest builds excitement and engages customers more with the brand, which is a great opportunity to attract new leads and build long-term customers. - Brian David Crane, Spread Good Ideas

3. Giving back to your community in a tangible way

Make your marketing stand out by doing something off the beaten path, not a “Christmas discount” or social media giveaway. Give back to your community and ask your staff to help you in this regard. Volunteer and sponsor an event that helps young children who don't have Christmas. However, I don't mean just throwing money at getting your name on the donor list. I mean, get your hands on it, see these kids and families who have nothing but each other and bless them as much as you can with a gift, a smile, a hug and a "thanks to be here". Uplift the world with the spirit of giving. I assure you that this is the best for your company, you, your employees and disadvantaged families. That's the marketing you want to do. -Jonathan Clausen