What If Your Brand Did Holiday Season Differently This Year?

Let’s be real, the Holiday Season as a DTC brand is both the most important and most stressful season of the year. Competition is higher than ever, and so is the pressure as most of your yearly profit is made in this short 2 to 3 -month shopping season.

Most brands are on a hamster wheel, trying to race to the top, and outperform other brands when it comes to holiday gifting. But what if we looked at Holiday Shopping Season differently this year?

What about instead of your goal being the most sales possible, your goal was to create recurring customers and brand loyalty? How would you approach this season differently?

Focusing on Content & Products that Actually Resonate with Your Customer

During the holiday season, many DTC brands focus on stocking gift-specific products or bulk up their inventory with holiday-themed items. However, it’s more effective to focus on your everyday products that resonate most with your target customers—the ones who will emotionally connect with what you’re truly passionate about.

Focusing on products, messaging, and content that create an emotional connection with customers ensures they’re not just purchasing a one-time gift from your brand out of convenience, but are instead falling in love with your brand. This connection turns them into loyal customers who will continue to return for years to come.

Isn’t one recurring customer worth more than 5 one-off holiday shoppers?

Making Web Experience Upgrades that Foster Long-Term Engagement

With the goal of recurring customers in mind, there are a few website updates that you can make the entice new customers to keep coming back.

1. Offering Subscriptions - Do you have a product that customers use regularly? Keep them coming back with a subscription service, delivering your product directly to their door on a regular basis - no need for them to remember to reorder. By offering a subscription, you’re not only securing recurring income but also building a loyal, long-term fan base for your brand.

2. Discounts for Returning Shoppers - A great way to entice first-time shoppers to come back for a second purchase is to offer a % off their second purchase. Shopify allows you to integrate these offers into your checkout experience, and/or you can use email marketing to retarget first-time buyers with a discount on their second purchase.

3. Loyalty or Membership Programs - Encourage your current customers to refer friends or purchase gifts for others by offering discounts and exclusive products through a loyalty or membership program. This not only rewards your loyal customers but also helps expand your customer base.

Focusing on the First Impression

In today’s visually driven world, first impressions are everything when it comes to your brand. Alongside optimizing your website, consider investing a little extra in elevating your unboxing experience for the holiday season.

Whether customers are buying for themselves or gifting to others, a memorable unboxing experience not only encourages social media shares but also communicates the quality and intent behind your product. This positions your brand as a high-end, quality investment, helping you stand out in the eyes of your customers.

The holiday season doesn’t have to be about racing to out-sell your competitors. Instead, focus on creating lasting connections that turn one-time buyers into loyal, recurring customers. By aligning your brand strategy, messaging, and design with the goal of building long-term relationships, you can set your business up for success not just this holiday season, but for many seasons to come.

Ready to elevate your brand for the holidays and beyond? Let’s work together to develop a strategy that fosters loyalty, drives meaningful engagement, and creates a lasting impact.