5 tips to make your Christmas marketing go with a bang

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but despite the current delightful heatwave, winter is fast approaching (sniffle). But, on the bright side, this does mean that the festive season of joy and merriment is just around the corner!

We all know that Christmas in the food and drink industry is huge, and with an effective marketing strategy in place it can have a big impact on your business. Whether planning for Christmas has just your to-do list, or you’re just in need of some extra festive inspiration, check out our LITTLE tips to get your party season plan in full swing…

1. Start your christmas marketing plan today!

We might be making the most of these last heady summer days, but let’s face it, the Christmas planning season is in motion so it’s time to crack on. Having a plan in place early will get you on radars ahead of the party season, create an opportunity to collate more bookings and generate more footfall. Social media schedules, menu printing, email campaigns, blogs and PR all need to be in place early to make sure you don’t miss out.

2. Get your theme right

Just because it’s Christmas, that doesn’t mean you have to completely reinvent your brand or crowbar conventional Christmas ideas into your menu. Some of the most inventive festive ideas come from brands cleverly weaving Christmas into their existing offering – seasonally spiced dishes, Yuletide twists on your existing menu, and fun, festive-tinged cocktails can all work fantastically without deviating from your brand. The key is shouting about how this is YOUR take on Christmas, and using it as an opportunity to reinforce your brand and wow customers with your creativity and sense of fun.

3. Add some nice touches…

Everyone loves to receive a gift at Christmas, so why not think about some direct mail to get you noticed? If you’re delivering your Christmas menu to local businesses, why not make it stand out in a festive format like a foldable Christmas tree decoration? Or, if you’re launching a new Christmas beer, how about some festive bottle openers? Keepsake gifts keep you top of mind with your potential customers – and with a useful offering, your name will be at everyone’s fingertips!

4. Build and bolster your customer base

Wow a new customer at Christmas, and they may just turn into one of next year’s regulars. Christmas for many bars and restaurants is the busiest time of year – full of opportunities to draw in new customers who perhaps have never visited your establishment. Don’t miss out on the extra opportunities for new business – a well-planned social campaign and PR schedule can keep you top of the list with people planning Christmas outings, and get you into the right conversations online. As well as thinking about new customers, let’s not forget that it’s also a great time of year to thank your existing customers and engage people with fun social campaigns, competitions and prizes!

5. Convey the fun!

The festive season is all about merriment, and Christmas is a time when people want to let their hair down and have a little fun. Engaging, regular content and creative branding that captures the magic of the season is vital – give people a reason to come and party with you!

What do you need to make your Christmas go with a bang? We can help with everything from innovative design and print ideas, to fun and festive content campaigns. Take a peek at our portfolio and get in touch for a free consultation with our food and drink marketing experts!