Gift Card Marketing Ideas for Holiday Season 2023 🎄

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📆 Wednesday, 5th Dec 2023

Hi, and welcome back to Growth Espresso - your one-stop destination for everything e-com.

🔔 'Tis the season! As the holidays roll in, shoppers flock online in search of the perfect holiday presents for their loved ones—or maybe even a treat for themselves. So Gift Cards become an obvious go-to choice for a lot of shoppers.

A study revealed a staggering 114% surge in digital gift card sales during the holiday season for retailers (link), marking a prime opportunity to capitalize on this trend!

So today, in Growth Espresso - we talk about how you can seize this opportunity via some juicy marketing ideas for your gift cards!

Gift Card Marketing Ideas for Holiday Season 2023 🎄 

Coming right up!

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Give your gift cards a unique, seasonal design 🎅 

To encourage gifting of cards this season, ensuring a festive touch is key. Rather than presenting plain, uninspired gift cards, infuse them with a custom design reflective of your brand. This way, recipients encounter a branded experience upon receiving them.

Take a cue from Thabisa’s approach to gift card design:

Likewise, consider adding seasonal flair to your gift card design. For instance, during Christmas, incorporate elements like a Christmas tree or Santa onto the cards.

Make them noticeable on your store 🏪 

Highlight them in your store layout—consider an announcement bar or integrate them into your main navigation menu. The goal is to ensure your gift cards are easily spotted, and effortlessly discovered while customers browse for presents. This tactic shines, especially during festive seasons, enhancing your marketing strategy.

Leverage social media for organic promotion 📢 

Did you know? Social media significantly influences 71% of online purchase decisions. Utilize your brand's presence across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and others to showcase the availability of gift cards in your store.

For instance, craft a carousel highlighting the advantages of gifting these cards to your loved ones. Consider creating a short, engaging video for an Instagram Reel, showcasing the sheer joy recipients experience upon receiving gift vouchers from their favorite brands.

However, consistency is key. Maintain a regular presence rather than a last-minute rush. Organic marketing demands time to gain traction, so initiating early yields the best results!

Promote them in your email marketing campaigns 💌 

Highlight your gift cards in your email marketing efforts! If you're running an e-commerce store, your regular newsletters probably focus on highlighting discounts, new products, and enticing deals. Don't forget to feature your gift cards prominently within these emails, especially during the holiday rush. Create a dedicated section solely for your gift cards to ensure they catch your audience's eye.

Consider setting up a specialized email campaign solely dedicated to promoting your gift cards.

Use SMS marketing to let subscribers know about it 💬

Leverage SMS marketing to reach subscribers effectively. With an incredible average open rate of 98% on SMS campaigns, it's a channel you can't afford to overlook for promoting gift cards. Craft a dedicated SMS campaign highlighting the advantages of your gift cards or pair them with a special discount to entice purchases.

"Hey Sara,

This holiday season, delight your loved ones with the perfect gifts—our GIFT CARDS. Enjoy an exclusive 10% discount on purchases made using these vouchers. Claim yours now: shop.link/giftcards"

Run ads on the search engine 🔍️ 

Harness the power of search engines - they're where around 68% of online shopping journeys kick-off. With the competitive SEO landscape, ranking your gift cards immediately is tough.

But you can still feature in those results by running targeted search ads for your gift card pages. Craft compelling copy that drives traffic straight to your store!

Make them a part of your content marketing strategy 📊 

Include gift cards in your content marketing plan. For DTC brands using content to inform buyers and guide their purchases, it's crucial to tap into the surge in searches for 'Christmas gift ideas' and 'New Year gift ideas.' Craft content that tackles these queries while strategically showcasing your gift cards as the ultimate choice for this season's gifting frenzy!

Cross-sell gift cards across your store 🛒 

Encourage gift card sales throughout your store. Many online shoppers visit your store for specific items, yet it's an opportunity to showcase your gift cards.

Strategically position gift cards as suggested products on your product and cart pages, using a smart prompt like 'Why not treat your loved ones while you're here?'