The holidays are a key time for businesses to connect with customers and leave a lasting impression. While people are shopping like crazy, they're also being hit from all sides with ads and promotions. To stand out from the pack, you need more than just a great product or service, you need a solid marketing strategy that ties together print, digital, and in-person experiences.
This year, get a head start and make sure every marketing piece, from signs to mailers, is telling the same story. Use this checklist to guide your holiday marketing strategy and keep your brand top-of-mind during the busiest (and most competitive!) time of the year.
How to Market Your Business During the Holidays
Holiday Cards: A Personal Touch That Stands Out
Holiday cards still hold a special place in people's hearts as one of the most genuine ways to connect with them during the season. Even with digital greetings becoming more common, a printed card shows you care and are willing to put in the effort, which customers appreciate more than ever.
Sending personalized cards is a simple yet powerful way to boost relationships. For your current customers, it's a chance to thank them for sticking with you throughout the year. For those who might have fallen off your radar, it's a gentle reminder that you're still here and value their business. Plus, your employees, partners, and stakeholders will appreciate a card that celebrates your shared successes and milestones.
Keep your message authentic and true to your brand personality, whether that's classic and heartfelt or fun and playful. Adding a handwritten note or signature can make it extra special. While throwing in a discount code or special offer can be a nice bonus, make sure your main message is about showing appreciation, not trying to sell them something. Using high-quality paper, embossing, or metallic foil accents can give your cards a premium look and feel that reflects your brand's attention to detail.
Corporate Gifts: Say Thanks & Build Relationships
The holiday season is a fantastic time to show appreciation with custom-branded promotional products. A thoughtful gift not only thanks the recipient, but it also keeps your brand top of mind every time they use it. Branded clothing creates a sense of teamwork among employees and it's an easy way to take your brand into people's daily lives. Items like customized water bottles or phone cases are both practical and memorable. Some businesses also have success with gift boxes filled with smaller branded items or local treats that fit their brand story.
How you present the gift matters too. Wrapping items in custom-printed tissue paper or putting them in branded boxes can turn a simple gesture into a fun unboxing experience. Each little touch adds to the connection between the recipient and your brand.
Signage: Capture Attention & Create an Experience
During the holidays, your storefront and physical space become powerful marketing tools. With foot traffic at its peak, eye-catching signage can draw customers in, guide them through your store, and inspire them to make a purchase.
Window & Wall Graphics
Decorative window and wall graphics quickly get you in the holiday spirit. Bright, cheerful images and warm seasonal colors can make your business feel welcoming and festive. A well-designed window display is often the first thing people see when they pass by, so it's worth making a big impression. Inside your store, large wall graphics can keep that atmosphere going, reinforce your brand's message, and even draw attention to special products or services. And with removable vinyl, it's easy to swap out designs each year and keep things feeling fresh.
Outdoor Signage
Holiday shoppers need an invite, and outdoor signage like banners, A-frame signs, and flags do the trick. Place them near entrances, walkways, and parking lots so people see them from all angles. Use materials that can handle the weather and typography that's easy to read. That way, your signs stay looking sharp no matter the weather. A simple message with some nice printing and a festive touch is often all you need to turn people driving by into customers.
Interactive & Digital Signage
Combining print and technology can take your marketing to new heights. Adding QR codes to your signs is a simple yet effective way to connect customers with digital experiences. A quick scan can direct customers to a holiday landing page, a social media contest, or a digital coupon. Interactive signs engage customers in multiple ways and close the gap between physical and digital marketing, making it especially valuable in today's mix of online and in-store shopping.
Indoor Wayfinding & Point-of-Purchase Displays
Once customers are inside, clear and consistent signage helps them navigate your space and discover key product areas. Festive wayfinding signs can direct traffic flow and highlight featured holiday products. Displays at checkout counters can really get people buying things on impulse, especially smaller gifts or stocking stuffers. Having the same look across all your signs helps people recognize your brand and gives your store a neat, put-together feel.
Mailers: Reach Customers Where They Are
Despite our increasingly digital lives, direct mail still packs a punch, especially during the holidays, when inboxes are flooded with promo emails. A beautifully designed mail piece offers a tangible experience that digital ads just can't match. Using Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM) lets you reach entire neighborhoods at once. Targeted mail campaigns can re-engage existing customers too. A well-designed mailer with eye-catching visuals, thoughtful messaging, and a clear call to action can get customers into your store, scanning a QR code for an exclusive deal, or redeeming a coupon in person.
You've probably heard of the "marketing rule of seven": people usually need to see a message several times before taking action. Combining direct mail with email, social media, and signage ensures your audience sees your message multiple times and across different platforms. This helps build familiarity and trust – crucial for driving sales. Direct mail, email, social media, and signage all work together to make your message stick in customers' minds. Each exposure builds on the last, driving home your point and boosting the chances of a sale.
Point-of-Purchase Materials: Inspire Last-Minute Decisions
Once a customer is standing at the checkout counter, you have a powerful opportunity to influence their final decisions. Point-of-purchase displays and counter signage are effective tools for highlighting small, impulse-driven items or time-sensitive offers.
For example, tabletop signs can draw attention to loyalty rewards or limited-time promotions, while small freestanding displays can feature gift cards or seasonal add-ons. Including a “bounce-back” coupon printed on receipts encourages customers to return after the holidays, turning one-time shoppers into repeat visitors. These small but strategic details not only drive sales but also reinforce your brand’s personality and creativity.
Digital Marketing Integration: Print & Pixels in Harmony
A successful holiday marketing campaign doesn’t operate in isolation. By integrating your print marketing with digital efforts, you create a cohesive and memorable brand experience. Start by ensuring your print and digital designs share the same colors, fonts, and imagery. This visual consistency builds recognition and trust. Add QR codes to printed materials that lead directly to landing pages, digital catalogs, or social media channels. Encourage customers to share photos of your signage or printed promotions online using a branded hashtag, amplifying your reach through user-generated content.
You can even retarget mail recipients with online ads that mirror the design and messaging of your print materials. When customers see a familiar image or offer on multiple platforms, it strengthens recall and increases the likelihood of engagement. When print and digital work together, each medium enhances the other.
Planning Your Holiday Campaign: Timing Is Everything
The key to a smooth holiday campaign is getting a head start. Start by figuring out what you want to achieve, whether it's getting more people in your store, boosting online sales, or building stronger customer relationships. Then, lay out your timeline, including when you'll launch promotions, send out mailers, and put up signs.
Working your way backward from these key dates helps you plan your production schedule more effectively. Since print projects can take a while due to design, proofing, and shipping, it's smart to get moving early. Teaming up with a reliable provider like AlphaGraphics means you can count on high-quality materials that arrive on time. With expert guidance, you can relax knowing that every piece - from signs to cards, will fit perfectly within your brand's overall look and feel.
Make Your Brand Unforgettable with AlphaGraphics
The holiday season is a great time to connect with your audience, surprise them, and leave a lasting impression. To get noticed, mix thoughtful print materials, eye-catching signage, and digital elements that work well together. From custom cards and gifts to big signs and branded packaging, AlphaGraphics can help you make your holiday marketing ideas a reality. The season flies by, so start planning now to make sure your brand stands out when it counts. Reach out to our team to get started today.
