5 Top Holiday Promotions to Market Metro Detroit Businesses

Did you know October is the new Black Friday? Half of consumers start holiday shopping before Halloween. That means businesses need to promote earlier than ever.

For southeast Michigan companies, this shift is both an opportunity and a challenge. Getting in front of customers before competitors do takes strategy — and time.

Zoe Marketing & Communications has helped small- to mid-sized businesses navigate this landscape since 2020. Below, we’ll explore five top holiday marketing tactics that connect with local shoppers and maximize your budget.

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What metro Detroit holiday shoppers care about

Southeast Michigan shoppers are price-conscious. Inflation remains a concern, and a 2023 Numerator survey found:

• 67% of people plan to buy holiday items on sale
• 48% plan to buy fewer items
• 47% will use more coupons

Your promotions should be targeted, time-sensitive and value-driven. Discounting without inflating prices first is key to maintaining trust.

As far as timing, some tips to keep in mind:

• Since shoppers start early, begin marketing in October (even Amazon now has a Prime Big Deal Days this month).
• Go all-in by Nov. 1.
• Some businesses run promotions through Dec. 24 if shipping time isn’t a concern.

5 top holiday promotion ideas for metro Detroit businesses

1. Social media ads drive quick sales

Facebook and Instagram are key for pushing holiday deals. Use social media ads to highlight discounts, such as:

• “Celebrate the Season with 20% Off!”
• “Unwrap Savings This Holiday — Limited Time Only!”

Try a “12 Days of Deals” campaign featuring new daily offers. Or, if you sell physical items, host livestreamed shopping events on your social channels to showcase products in real time.

2. Traditional print, radio and TV increase visibility

Local newspapers, magazines, radio and TV often offer special holiday ad packages that put you in front of engaged audiences.

• Holiday gift guides: Place ads here to ride the coattails of bigger campaigns and reach engaged shoppers.
• TV and radio sponsorships: Boost credibility and gain exposure by sponsoring segments.

3. Streaming media targets precise audiences

Streaming ads — video and audio — let you reach your ideal customers based on viewing and listening habits. A few formats include:

• OTT (over-the-top): Ads run on services like Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.
• CTV (connected TV): Targets viewers on smart TVs and gaming consoles.
• Streaming audio: Ads play Spotify, Pandora, SoundCloud, etc.

A big perk is that these platforms let you refine your audience by metro Detroit locations, interests and demographics.

4. Daily deals attract bargain hunters

Sites like Groupon and LivingSocial target price-conscious shoppers with limited-time offers.

With 47% of consumers planning to use more coupons this year, these deals boost sales. They work especially well for experiences, like spa packages, dining and entertainment.

Keep in mind, too, that 77% of Americans saying they’d prefer an experience to a physical gift!

5. Email marketing engages past and new customers

Email reaches two key groups: your existing subscribers and new prospects through targeted email. Here are two savvy ways to reach both:

• November-January: Offer past customers early bird specials and referral incentives.
• December: Use paid email lists to reach last-minute shoppers based on interests, location and spending habits.

Keep emails short, direct and focused on the deal to create urgency.

Next steps for holiday marketing in metro Detroit

With social media, traditional and streaming ads, daily deals and email, you can maximize your holiday impact.

Need expert support? Talk to us. Zoe Marketing & Communications can help create a holiday campaign that works for you.

And, whether you advertise for the holidays or not, a strong year-round strategy is key. Explore these insights next:

• Why multichannel marketing is important
• Main types of social media ads and how they work