Holiday Marketing Trends for the 2021 Holiday season.
We are currently in the home stretch of 2021 and will be ringing in 2022 before we know it. That means the Holiday season is upon us, and marketers have started ramping up their holiday marketing strategies. Industry leaders have analyzed the social data and social listening information, creating a list of current trends for this Holiday season.
What is social data and social listening?
Social data is information recorded on social media user habits while online that is publicly available. Social Listening is how marketers track the information to what your consumers want or think and helps identify diverse topics or trends relevant to your industry. Marketers use this information collected in both areas to narrow down the focus on the latest social media trends.
Source: How to Make the Most out of Your Social Data in 2021 | Sprout Social
Where do you analyze social data and social listening information?
The information learned by marketers on the latest up-and-coming trends starts by monitoring social data and social listening with research into your target audience. The best starting point is to narrow down your focus into a simple question. As you find the answer to that question, more questions will surface, leaving you well versed in what exactly your target audience is looking for this Holiday season.
Pinterest and Reddit are other great tools used to help you jump on trends earlier than your competitors, stay on top of social media news, and you can use their data by following other brands and creators in your industry.
Source: How to Make the Most out of Your Social Data in 2021 | Sprout Social; Optimizing For Q4: Identifying Holiday Trends & Using Social Data To Guide Your Strategy | Sprout Social
Based on current research, the first trend for the 2021 Holiday season will follow an over-indulgence strategy.
Most people during 2020 picked up new hobbies like cooking or baking, and this year they want to show off what they have learned by hosting big dinner parties with fancy place settings, according to Daniel Weryha of Tag Canada. Some examples of how marketers can incorporate this strategy into their marketing include sharing how-to videos featuring elaborate decorating techniques, create blogs on hosting a large dinner party, or add simple recipes that are well suited for a holiday feast.
The return of nostalgic Christmas decorations, like the iconic ceramic table-top Christmas tree, is also a big trend for this holiday season. By adding a little nostalgia to their content, marketers can further build engagement with their target audience and possibly expand their reach.
The second trend predicted for the 2021 Holiday Marketing season takes a smaller, more eco-friendly approach to over-indulgence.
Many people will shoot for huge elaborate dinner parties, professionally decorated with partygoers dressed to the nines. Others will still aim for big family get-togethers while using hand-crafted decorations made from recycled materials and DIY crafts. Marketers can focus on sharing simple recipes that each family member can help with and making valuable memories while spending time together.
The last forecasted trend for the 2021 Holiday season is not as whimsical as the others and focuses on a new cultivated term known as "The Great Resignation."
The Great Resignation focuses on talent shortages leading to competitive hiring and organizations having to combat more than just COVID-19 safety. Currently, resignation rates are the highest among mid-career employees between the ages of 30-45 years old, with rates calculated at more than twenty percent between 2020 and 2021. With the shift to remote work during the pandemic and new employees not receiving in-person training, the demand for mid-career employees is high. This new demand allows employees to leverage their experience to secure new positions but prioritize their value and worth.
Due to the "The Great Resignation" theory, we may encounter a predicted shipping shortage this Holiday season, which could affect both businesses and their consumers.
Source: Optimizing For Q4: Identifying Holiday Trends & Using Social Data To Guide Your Strategy | Sprout Social; Who Is Driving the Great Resignation? (hbr.org)
Have a client that is looking for staff? Focus their marketing content on why they are a wonderful place to work, share stories highlighting their diversity, and how they value their employees.
Forty percent of consumers admit they start their holiday shopping before Halloween. Marketers should, in theory, begin planning their holiday marketing strategies no later than August, if not sooner. If your marketing team has not already, you may want to start creating your holiday marketing strategy now.
Source: Optimizing For Q4: Identifying Holiday Trends & Using Social Data To Guide Your Strategy | Sprout Social; The Biggest 2021 Holiday Marketing Trends You Need to Know Now - Step Out Buffalo Business
Let Belden Communications help your business build the perfect holiday marketing strategy today!