As the cool breeze shifts to a warmer zephyr, New Zealand’s businesses gear up for the most awaited time of the year: the summer holidays. The festive vibes paired with sunny days present a golden opportunity for businesses to connect, engage, and convert potential customers. Here’s a guide for NZ businesses to fully harness the potential of summer through digital marketing.
1. Understand Your Audience
Before diving into any campaign, it’s crucial to know who you’re speaking to. Understand the summer plans of your target demographic. Are they travelling locally? Spending time on beaches? Or perhaps engaging in summer sports? Align your marketing messages to resonate with their summer activities.
2. Local SEO is Your Best Friend
Summer is a prime time for local activities and tourism. Ensure your business is listed on local directories, Google My Business, and other relevant platforms. Use region-specific keywords, and make sure your website and content are optimised for local search queries.
3. Seasonal Offers & Deals
Promotions and discounts that are seasonally themed can draw attention. Consider offering summer specials or holiday bundles. Use vibrant graphics, and promote these deals on social media platforms and through email marketing campaigns.
4. User-Generated Content (UGC)
Encourage your customers to share their summer experiences with your products or services. Whether it’s a photo of them using your product on the beach or a review of your summer special menu, UGC can serve as authentic testimonials, building trust among prospects.
5. Invest in Social Media Advertising
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Tiktok see a surge of activity during holidays periods. Capitalise on this by creating engaging ad campaigns and upping your reach. Use carousel ads to showcase a range of products or services, or stories to promote limited-time offers.
6. Email Marketing with a Summer Flavour
Redesign your email templates to reflect the summer theme. Share tips related to the season, promote your summer products, or simply wish your subscribers a happy holiday. Ensure your emails are mobile-friendly, as many will be checking them on-the-go.
7. Consider Digital Out-Of-Home
With more of your target audience spending their time out and about over the summer, why not take advantage of the digital out of home inventory available to show them your message at the most opportune time and location?
8. Optimise for Mobile
Again with people spending their time out of the house, mobile usage sees a surge during summer. Ensure that your website is mobile-optimised, and test all your campaigns (emails, ads, landing pages) for mobile responsiveness.
9. Engage with Interactive Content
Host summer-themed quizzes, polls, or contests on your social media channels. Interactive content not only engages the audience but also boosts your visibility on the platform.
10. Plan and Schedule in Advance
Lastly, while spontaneity has its charm, planning your campaigns in advance ensures consistency and gives you ample time for adjustments. Use scheduling tools to maintain a steady flow of content.
Summer holidays in New Zealand are filled with potential for businesses willing to embrace the digital realm. By understanding the audience, being present where they are, and offering value, businesses can ensure that their digital marketing campaigns shine as brightly as the summer sun.
Keen to explore more? Our team are happy to offer free advice and work with you on a strategy for the summer months. Get in touch here! -> https://harperdigital.co.nz/digital-strategy-session
