Three big days this week - Turkey Day (11/25), Black Friday (11/26), & then Cyber Monday (11/29). Many retailers have already opened up to consumers with previews of specials and some have even started the big sales. Friday & Monday promise to be better this year compared to last year.
Realizing that time is of the essence and that the inbox is going to be much more crowded from now to the end of the year; we suggest a few simple strategies:
1) Get to the Point - Spend a little extra time on your subject lines, there will be tons of sales, promotions etc. so you need to make your message stands out - clever subject lines may not get you the same response as a specific, clear introduction. Yes, you can make longer subject lines work this holiday season.
2) Keep your offers Interesting - Your customers and prospects know how frequently you mail; if you double the volume, they're gonna notice. While consumers are expecting an increase in volume - think about coordinating your digital offers and also keep your offers interesting. Offer variety, don't just resend your email messages. Balance your frequency with the clarity of your offer.
3) Timing is Everything - Realizing the increased volume (from all eMarketers), it may be a nice time to play with the release times of your message. The increased volume could lead to your Monday @ 9:00 email being deleted - hold off a couple hours and avoid that just-back-from-the-holiday rush.
4) Go Social - You need to make sure you post your offers on your social media sites. In addition to that, make sure you listen to the conversations on social media. Watch the pulse of what your fans are saying about your company and the offers you are making. The consumer will be expecting deals on your social sites.
5) Turn up the Heat - Play with deadlines and incorporate the phrases "shop early" or "email only" where/ when they make sense. Urgency coupled with your creative could be great ways to triumph your efforts.
Happy Holidays - hope they are a success!