Spreading cheer: unwrapping the benefits of social media during Christmas 🎄
Michelle Ratcliff continues our guest blog series. Once a month, we share a guest blog post from an industry expert. Michelle is the Social Media Executive for an NGO based in Folkestone Kent, and a freelance Social Media Manager for clients. She lives and breathes social media and is always learning to stay up-to-date. In November this year, she won Runner-Up Social Media Manager of the Year! 🏆
In this post, Michelle unwraps (see what she did there? 😉) the benefits of sharing on and utilising social media during Christmas.
Christmas! A time of twinkling bright lights, family gatherings, and an unmistakable sense of merriment. And what better way to amplify the joyous spirit than through the omnipresent realm of social media? In the digital age, these platforms have become a way for connection, celebration, and spreading cheer, especially during Christmas, so as people in the digital industry we should use the seasonal period to our advantage!
Fostering Connections
One of the most significant gifts social media offers during Christmas is the ability to bridge distances and bring loved ones closer, regardless of physical separation. Through video calls, messaging apps, and heartfelt posts, we can reach anyone anywhere in the world, our approach to sharing our life stories with family friends should be the same for when we want to share our business story with our followers, our customers and our growing audiences. They follow, share, and interact with you for a reason, they want to know what you have to say and share; they are already interested so keep them interested and gain more interest by adding seasonality to your social media posts.
Spreading Christmas Spirit
You may want to think what it is that you would like your audience to know when it comes to spreading festive cheer on your socials. You need to consider the demographic and what would work well with engagement but also keeping with your brand. You could share some of your favourite homemade Christmas recipes, or some top tips for decorating your home. Social media managers can try something a little different over the festive period, maybe a window for something new entirely or just a space for you to develop something that was already well received by your audiences.
For example, a client of mine wanted a countdown to Christmas, they didn’t do one last year and wanted to try it this time. Using their brand colours and imagery I created a 12-day campaign counting down to 25 th December. Each post contained their logo wearing a Christmas hat and gave the audience a call to action. You still have time to place an order and have it installed before Christmas, go to our website today for a very merry festive discount! I also included a festive related theme within each post; *post contains a picture of the client’s Christmas tree* We’re feeling very festive here, send us pictures of your Christmas trees!
Festive recipes, DIY Christmas decorations, Christmassy photos, emojis - there are so many creative options it can feel a bit overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. I’d start small, little changes to your logo and maybe add a simple organic post about your business and Christmas and see how your audience respond. If they like it, go with it, and grow it, if they don’t seem so keen, don’t knock it, rethink the content that you are creating and try again.
I personally have found, that a lot of my time in the digital industry has been built on a foundation of trial and error, you don’t always know how people are going to react, one post might do amazingly well, and you weren’t expecting it and other posts that you worked super hard at just flop! There’s no rhyme or reason for it – just try it! Give it a go, create something that you know breathes your brand and go for it, after all its Christmas!
Access to inspiration and ideas
A lot of people struggle to find that perfect gift and turn to social media for inspiration. You could use your channels to be that inspo that they are looking for. From DIY gift tutorials to innovative decor hacks, you could use your socials to spark creativity in your audiences. Social media is also a great tool to connect with people during this time, if there is something on your heart that you would like your audience to know about tell them. They like to see the people behind the brand, share your stories, your passions and what you like, you’ll probably inspire them more than you realise! It’s good to share!
Business engagement and support
For businesses, social media becomes an invaluable tool during the festive season. It’s not just about marketing products; it’s about engaging with the audience in a more heartfelt manner. Leverage the holiday spirit to connect on a more emotional level, fostering loyalty and goodwill among your audiences and customers. As small business owners, Christmas is a perfect time to showcase your unique offerings, reaching a wider audience and boosting your sales.
Spreading cheer responsibly
While the benefits of social media at Christmas are profound, it’s essential to navigate these platforms responsibly. So, amidst the glitter and sparkles, moderation and authenticity are key to reaping the true benefits of social media during Christmas.
The role of social media during Christmas becomes a platform where stories are shared and archived, love is exchanged, and the joy of the season is amplified. It’s a powerful tool that unites, inspires, and spreads the festive season around the world, reminding us of the true essence of Christmas - love, compassion, and togetherness so embrace it!
So, as we navigate the digital world this festive season, use your social media platforms to connect, create, and share the magic of Christmas in ways that resonate with your audiences, your brand and you.
I wish you all a joyous and connected Christmas, both online and offline!
👀 Watch this space for more Guest Blogs throughout the year! If you’re interested in writing a guest post for The Bloom Blog, get in touch.
Bloom Creative is a design business based in Kent offering branding & brand refreshes, quality digital design, and eye-catching print design. You can browse our services or book in a free discovery call.
