Ah, December. Sunshine, braais, and… the tempting urge to hit the “pause” button on your marketing efforts. It’s easy to get swept up in the holiday spirit and slip into full-on vacation mode. But trust me, resist that urge!
While it’s essential to take time to recharge and enjoy the festivities, going completely silent on your social media and marketing channels can actually harm your business in the long run. Think of it like this: you’ve worked hard all year to build momentum, connect with your audience, and grow your brand. Why let it fizzle out just when things are getting festive?
Why Staying Active in December Matters
- Maintain Momentum: Consistency is key in the digital world. Regular posting keeps your audience engaged and your brand top-of-mind.
- Capture Holiday Shoppers: December is a prime time for sales, especially for businesses offering gifts or holiday-related products/services. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
- Build Anticipation for the New Year: Use December to tease upcoming plans, new products, or exciting announcements for the new year.
- Show Appreciation: December is the perfect time to express gratitude to your customers for their support throughout the year.
- Combat the “Post-Holiday Slump”: By staying active in December, you’ll be in a better position to hit the ground running in January.
The Solution: Your December Content Calendar
To help you stay on track (and enjoy your holiday break!), I’ve created this ultimate December Content Calendar, packed with 31 days of engaging and festive content ideas. It’s your secret weapon for maintaining momentum, connecting with your audience, and even boosting those holiday sales.
Week 1: Setting the Stage (Dec 1st – 7th)
- Dec 1st:“12 Days of Deals” Launch (Instagram, Facebook, Email) – Drive Sales, Create Excitement
- Dec 2nd:Share a Festive Story (Blog, Social Media) – Engagement, Brand Storytelling
- Dec 3rd:Holiday Gift Guide (Blog post, Pinterest, Instagram) – Provide Value, Drive Traffic
- Dec 4th:“Behind the Scenes” Sneak Peek (Instagram Story, Facebook) – Authenticity, Engagement
- Dec 5th:Customer Appreciation Post (All Platforms) – Build Loyalty, Goodwill
- Dec 6th:Run a Holiday-Themed Poll/Quiz (Instagram, Facebook) – Engagement, Interaction
- Dec 7th: Share a Festive Recipe or DIY (Blog post, Pinterest, Social Media) – Provide Value, Drive Traffic
Week 2: Driving Engagement (Dec 8th – 14th)
- Dec 8th:Host a Giveaway or Contest (Instagram, Facebook) – Increase Followers, Brand Awareness
- Dec 9th:Share User-Generated Content (All Platforms) – Social Proof, Community Building
- Dec 10th:“Ask Me Anything” Session (Instagram Live, Facebook Live) – Engagement, Build Trust
- Dec 11th:Holiday-Themed Tip or Hack (Social Media, Blog Post) – Provide Value, Position as Expert
- Dec 12th:Collaborate with Another Business (All Platforms) – Reach New Audiences, Cross-promotion
- Dec 13th:Create a Holiday-Themed Video (YouTube, Instagram Reels, TikTok) – Engagement, Brand Storytelling
- Dec 14th:Offer a Flash Sale or Discount (Email, Social Media) – Drive Sales
Week 3: Last-Minute Shoppers & Festive Cheer (Dec 15th – 21st)
- Dec 15th:Highlight Last-Minute Gift Ideas (Instagram, Facebook, Email) – Drive Sales
- Dec 16th:Share Holiday Shipping Deadlines (All Platforms) – Manage Expectations, Drive Sales
- Dec 17th:“What I’m Gifting This Year” Post (Social Media) – Engagement, Authenticity
- Dec 18th:Run a “Gift Wrapping” Tutorial or Tip (Instagram Reels, TikTok, Blog Post) – Provide Value, Engagement
- Dec 19th: Share a Festive Quote or Message (All Platforms) – Engagement, Brand Building
- Dec 20th:Year-End Reflection (Blog post, LinkedIn) – Thought Leadership, Build Credibility
- Dec 21st:Host a Holiday-Themed Live Stream (Instagram Live, Facebook Live) – Engagement, Community Building
Week 4: Reflection & Looking Ahead (Dec 22nd – 31st)
- Dec 22nd:Customer Appreciation Giveaway (All Platforms) – Build Loyalty, Show Gratitude
- Dec 23rd:Share a Heartfelt Holiday Message (All Platforms) – Goodwill, Brand Building
- Dec 24th: Happy Holidays! (All Platforms) – Maintain Presence
- Dec 25th: Enjoy the Day! (Optional lighthearted post)
- Dec 26th:Highlight “After-Christmas” Sales (Email, Social Media) – Drive Sales
- Dec 27th:Share “New Year, New You” Content (Blog post, Social Media) – Engagement, Provide Value
- Dec 28th:“Best of 2024” Roundup (All Platforms) – Engagement, Highlight Your Best
- Dec 29th:Tease Upcoming Plans for 2025 (All Platforms) – Build Anticipation
- Dec 30th: Run a “New Year’s Resolution” Contest (Social Media) – Engagement, Interaction
- Dec 31st:New Year’s Eve Countdown & Celebration (All Platforms) – Engagement, Brand Building
Schedule It and Forget It!
One of the best things about planning your December content in advance is that you can schedule it all ahead of time! Most social media platforms and email marketing tools offer scheduling features. This allows you to enjoy your holiday break without worrying about posting every day.
To make scheduling even easier and more efficient, I highly recommend using a social media management tool like SmarterQueue. SmarterQueue allows you to:
- Plan and schedule your content across multiple platforms: Say goodbye to logging into each platform individually!
- Visualize your content calendar: See all your scheduled posts in a clear and organized calendar view.
- Categorize your content: Organize your posts by theme or category for better planning and analysis.
- Recycle evergreen content: Maximize the lifespan of your best content by automatically re-sharing it at optimal times.
- Analyze your results: Track your engagement and performance to see what’s working and what’s not.
With SmarterQueue, you can truly “set it and forget it” when it comes to your December content. Plan your posts in advance, schedule them with SmarterQueue, and then relax and enjoy the holidays knowing your social media presence is taken care of.
Don’t Forget the Hashtags!
Hashtags are essential for increasing the reach and discoverability of your December content. Here are some general hashtags to use throughout the month: #December #HolidaySeason #Festive #SummerHolidays #SupportSmallBusiness #ShopLocal #DecemberDeals #GiftIdeas #HolidayCheer.
To add more specificity to your posts, consider using weekly hashtags that align with your content calendar themes:
- Week 1: #HolidayPrep #GiftGuides #DecemberDeals #FestiveVibes
- Week 2: #HolidayContests #CommunityLove #SupportLocal #FestiveFun
- Week 3: #LastMinuteGifts #HolidayShopping #ChristmasCountdown #SummerCelebrations
- Week 4: #NewYearNewYou #YearEndReview #Thankful #HolidayReflections
Remember to also include hashtags relevant to your specific industry, products, or services. And don’t forget to check out what hashtags are trending in your local area!
Conclusion
Don’t let your marketing hibernate this December! By staying active, providing valuable content, and engaging with your audience, you can maintain momentum, capture holiday shoppers, and set yourself up for success in the new year.
And to help you keep that content momentum going strong into the new year, I’ve got a special gift for you: my free3 Month Social Media Content Plan! This resource is packed with ideas and prompts to keep your social media feeds buzzing even after the holiday season ends.
So, soak up the summer sun with a refreshing iced tea, and your favorite playlist, and start planning your December content strategy today! Download your free content calendar and 3-month plan, and get ready to conquer the holiday season and beyond.
Happy Holidays and Happy Content Creating! 🎅🎁