With the holidays fast approaching, now is a great time to start planning and implementing your holiday email marketing campaign. Whether you plan to do a full campaign or just a one-off holiday message to your internal staff, planning now will allow you to get ready in advance and not have to rush out a last-minute email.

Many marketers struggle with what kind of campaign they want to run and how they can create something special. Here are some ideas to get you started. The holiday season is a busy time for customers, marketers, Santa, just about everyone. So, be relevant, be concise, and be different so that your message stands out. You can also add personalization to your holiday emails to increase the impact to your audience and the tie back to your brand.

Here are several examples of holiday messages to provide you with some ideas (from least complex to most complex).

1. Static image or layout with added holiday message
   1. Brooks Brothers
   2. John Allan’s
2. Animated holiday emails
   1. Norm Thompson
   2. MetLife
3. Holiday video emails
   1. Video in email example
   2. Video on landing page example
4. A holiday multimedia animation
   1. Face Blocks Animation Game
5. A holiday themed game
   1. Santa race game
   2. Snowball Fight
6. A holiday themed interactive Flash piece
   1. Snowglobe Shake
   2. Holiday Puzzle
7. A “build your own” holiday card application
   1. Build Your Snowman
   2. Design Your Own Holiday Card (Design Transmit)

Note that numbers 1 and 2 are email only but the rest will require additional web development (which we can help with too).

Some Holiday Ideas you may want to use as a theme for content or messaging may include:

• Holiday Recipes
• Holiday Trivia
• Naughty/Nice List
• Peace
• Charity/Gifting
  • Pay It Forward
• Old Holiday Movies
  • Christmas around the world
  • Twas the Night Before Christmas Slient Movie

B2B Email Considerations:

• Recap of year’s accomplishments (as it relates to your clients)
• Goals and Objectives for next year (as it relates to your clients)
• Holiday Sweepstakes
• Reminder of Holiday schedule/paid holiday
• Reminder of Holiday business events

B2C Email Considerations:

• Special offers and promotions
• Special delivery and shipping options
• Responding to any feedback or questions
• Thanking customers
• Holiday Sweepstakes
• Giving something extra (freebie, coupon for 2010, etc)

Get started by establishing your strategy and determining what type of campaign you want to run, create your communication calendar, and then start now on production. The holidays always seem to sneak up quickly, so prepare in advance to avoid bah-humbug results.

Tags: animation, b2b, b2c, holiday, ideas, themes, video

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