The holiday season is always a flurry of activity for businesses, and if you’re plotting out your end-of-year marketing, you might want to pay attention to influencer marketing. Partnering with the right influencers can widen your brand’s reach, boost sales, and give your content extra sparkle during this crucial time.
Global influencer marketing is on a meteoric rise. Nano- and micro-influencers, in particular, are delivering outsize engagement rates, making them a cost-effective, high-impact option for companies of all sizes. With that in mind, here’s how to integrate influencer partnerships into your holiday marketing game plan and some tried-and-true campaign ideas to match.
How to Plan a Winning Holiday Influencer Strategy
- Start with a Holiday Marketing Blueprint
The holiday rush can feel chaotic, so start by laying down a strategy. Set SMART goals that define what you want from your holiday season—more sales, bigger audiences, or better brand awareness. Once you know where you’re headed, you can decide how influencers fit into the overall map. - Set Clear Influencer Marketing KPIs
Goals are one thing, but how do you know if you’re actually moving the needle? Identify key metrics that matter for influencer-driven efforts. Are you focusing on raw reach (video views, impressions), or do you want more conversions? Promo codes and unique URLs can help you tie results directly back to your influencer campaigns. - Pick the Right Influencers
Don’t just pick someone with a huge follower count. Instead, zero in on influencers who serve your exact target market—especially if they’re micro-influencers with a tightly knit community. Geography might matter, too, if you’re looking for in-store events or local meetups. When you find a candidate, ensure their style, voice, and values align with your brand. - Perfect Your Pitch
When reaching out to influencers, be upfront about what you want: the type of content, the number of posts, and your budget. Mention how their unique angle complements your brand. Influencers get pitches all day, so personalize your outreach to stand out. - Provide a Campaign Brief
Influencers are content creators, not mind-readers. Give them a brief that clarifies goals, KPIs, messaging points, and any special requirements. Include talking points, promo codes, or branded hashtags. But don’t hover—part of their magic is their own voice and style, so leave enough room for creativity.
Holiday Influencer Marketing Ideas to Try
- Product Giveaways
Team up with an influencer to offer free products to their audience. This is a quick way to build buzz and entice first-time customers. Giveaways can spotlight a hero product or a holiday gift set. The excitement of freebies often leads to lots of shares and engagement, expanding your visibility fast. - Discount Codes
Give your influencer partner an exclusive holiday discount code or special deal. Their followers feel like they’re getting VIP treatment, and you can track sales directly linked to that influencer. It’s a straightforward, win-win setup—shoppers save money, and you gain conversions you can clearly measure. - Live Selling Events
If you’ve watched QVC, you know the allure of live selling. Adapt this approach for the digital world by hosting a live shopping stream with an influencer. They can show off products, talk through features, and create a sense of urgency. This approach works wonders for brands that want to humanize their products and drive real-time purchases. - Brand-Influencer Collaborations
For something more ambitious, co-create a special holiday product line or limited-edition offering with your influencer partner. It’s not just another ad; it’s a collaboration. Their followers get a special treat; you earn street cred and organic buzz that can outlast the holidays. - In-Person Events
Planning an in-store holiday event? Invite an influencer to attend and promote it beforehand. Their presence can draw their fans to your store, turning casual followers into paying customers. Just ensure the influencer’s persona aligns with your audience and that the live experience is worth leaving the couch for. - Unboxing Videos
The unboxing format is tried-and-true: have your influencer unwrap your holiday products on camera. Their excitement becomes infectious, especially if the packaging or product design plays into seasonal themes. Viewers see your products in action, making them more likely to convert.
Wrapping It All Up
Influencer marketing can give your holiday campaigns a serious advantage. With a careful plan, well-defined goals, and the right partner, you can build powerful campaigns that feel festive and authentic. Whether you choose giveaways, promo codes, or co-branded products, influencers can help you connect with consumers on a more personal level when it matters most.
By balancing your brand’s needs with the influencer’s creativity and community insights, you’ll set the stage for a holiday marketing season that feels less like a sales pitch and more like a celebration—one that ends with real results.
There you have it—11 influencer marketing tips and tactics that can make your holiday campaigns shine bright this year. Now go forth and sleigh those sales.
