7 Tips to Keep Your Customers Thankful for Your Brand this Holiday Season

Written by: Lauren McKinney

The holidays are a time of gratitude, celebration, and—if you’re a business—a prime opportunity to deepen customer relationships. ‘Tis the season to spread joy while ensuring your brand remains unforgettable amidst the holiday bustle. With thoughtful strategies, you can leave your customers feeling valued and thankful for your brand well into the new year. Here’s your go-to insider’s guide to making it happen, from your friends (and holiday experts) at Madison+Main.

1. Get In the Spirit with a Thoughtfully Themed Email Campaign

Holiday emails are a great way to stay top-of-mind with customers while spreading seasonal cheer. From heartfelt messages of gratitude to special holiday offers, a well-crafted email campaign can make a big impact.

Tips for an effective holiday email campaign:

Keep it festive: Use warm holiday imagery and cheerful language.
Show appreciation: Start with a note of thanks for your customers’ loyalty.
Offer value: Include an exclusive holiday discount or early access to sales.

Pro Tip: Segment your email list for more personalized holiday greetings. For example, you could tailor your message differently for loyal, long-time customers versus new subscribers.

2. Host a Ho-Ho-Holiday Promotion

Who doesn’t love a freebie during the holidays? A giveaway or promotion is a fun and engaging way to show gratitude while boosting your brand’s visibility. Use social media or email to promote the contest and encourage user participation. It’s a great time to remind folks to follow your social media or like your page on different platforms as well – win-win!

Ideas for holiday giveaways:

Gift cards to your business.
A curated gift basket featuring your products or services.
Partner with a complementary brand to offer a bundled prize.

A successful promo is also a lead-generation tool, as HubSpot points out — ask for an email sign-up to enter the contest or receive the benefit. It’s a great time to remind folks to follow your social media or like your page on different platforms as well – win-win!

3. Gather to Give Thanks, with Limited-Time Offers!

Packaging your products or services into a special holiday bundle can entice customers to spend more while helping them cross items off their gift lists. Limited-time offers also create a sense of urgency that motivates customers to act quickly!

How to create irresistible holiday bundles:

Pair complementary products or services (e.g., a coffee shop could bundle coffee beans and branded mugs).
Add festive packaging or a handwritten note to make it feel special, or if you’re providing a service, leave behind a little something to keep your name and business top-of-mind.
Discount the bundle slightly to make it an attractive deal – and feel like a steal!

No matter what you’re offering, keep in mind your customer’s needs and pain points around this time of year. You can create lasting client relationships by doing the work to understand their needs and anticipate them.

4. Surprise and Delight – with Small Gestures

Sometimes, the smallest gestures leave the biggest impressions. A little extra thoughtfulness during the holidays can go a long way in making your customers feel valued.

Ways to make a seasonal splash:

Include a thank-you note or a small freebie with purchases.
Send handwritten holiday cards to top clients or customers.
Offer complimentary gift wrapping for holiday orders.

These small touches show that you value your customers not just for their dollars but for their loyalty. For more tips, dive a little deeper into Forbes’ article on customer experience strategies.

5. Showcase Your Brand’s Brilliant Holiday Spirit

During the holidays, your customers want to connect with brands that align with their values. Show your holiday spirit by engaging in meaningful activities that resonate with your audience.

Ideas to spread cheer as a brand:

Partner with a local charity for a holiday drive and encourage customer participation.
Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of how your team celebrates the holidays.
Post holiday-themed content on social media to keep customers engaged and entertained.

Holiday content that feels authentic and cheerful can leave customers with warm feelings about your brand.

6. Offer Flexible and Generous Seasonal Holiday Policies

During the busy holiday season, customers appreciate brands that make their lives easier. Offering flexible return policies, extended customer support hours, or other holiday extras can help you stand out.

Holiday policies to implement:

Extend your return/exchange window through January.
Offer free shipping during peak holiday shopping times.
Ensure your customer service team is well-staffed to handle increased inquiries.

Policies like these not only make the holiday shopping experience smoother but also build long-term loyalty. Customer-first strategies can make all the difference. And don’t forget to update your holiday hours on Google and across your social media!

7. Say Thank You in Meaningful Ways

At its heart, the holiday season is about gratitude. Go the extra mile to express your thanks to your customers in ways they’ll remember – and they’ll do the same for you!

How to say thank you this holiday season:

Send personalized thank-you notes to loyal customers.
Create a “Customer Appreciation Day” with exclusive perks.
Use social media to publicly thank your customers for their support.

Showing genuine appreciation can leave a lasting impression, turning customers into brand advocates. Harvard Business Review’s insights on fostering customer loyalty highlights the importance of understanding your customer base individually and communicating to them with personal touches to foster loyalty.

Wrapping It Up – with a Bow!

The holidays are the perfect time to show your customers that they’re more than just a number. By putting their needs first and spreading seasonal cheer, you can leave them feeling thankful for your brand long after the holidays are over. If you’re ready to make this holiday season unforgettable for your customers, Madison+Main can help. We’re literally chock-full of holiday cheer, and with our clever and creative marketing, we can help your business implement these strategies so your brand’s goodwill—and customer loyalty— can grow.

Reach out via our contact form, or give us a call at (877) 623-6246 to get the seasonal magic started, or begin the new year on the right foot.