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The holidays might feel far away, but for influencers and marketers, they’re right around the corner. Q4 is the most lucrative time of year for influencer campaigns, so starting early can maximize brand deals, revenue, and audience engagement. In 2023, 34% of social media users planned to use social media to influence their purchasing decisions. Enhance your campaigns further by adding interactive QR codes. Start your holiday marketing planning early to stay ahead of trends, secure your campaigns, and maximize conversations.
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Why Holiday Marketing Planning Can’t Wait
The holidays present a competition for partnerships, as many brands finalize influencer contracts months in advance for November–December campaigns. Brands set their Q4 budgets in Q2–Q3. If you’re late, you miss the biggest payouts of the year.
Depending on the type of campaign you’re running, it can take weeks to concept, shoot, edit, and approve content, especially if physical product shipping is involved. You also want to be aware of the algorithm ramp-up, as building engagement early ensures higher reach during the busy season.
Be sure to check out Oktoberfest’s Best Influencer Marketing Campaigns.
Waiting until November is too late; you need to be on brand radars by late summer/early fall if you want to run a successful campaign come Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas marketing season.
Benefits of Early Holiday Planning
Early birds get first choice of paid campaigns and often higher rates. To jump on the best deals, start planning early. This also reduces the last-minute rush that leads to burnout and missed deadlines. More time means better, more thoughtful campaign ideas and higher-performing content. The earlier you lock in campaigns, the more flexibility you’ll have to take on extra opportunities later.
How to Start Preparing for Holiday Marketing Now
Break this into clear, actionable steps:
- Review last year’s performance
- Analyze which campaigns performed best and what resonated with your audience, and use your assets and statistics to plan campaigns that mirror other successes.
- Identify gaps or missed opportunities. Be sure to analyze your statistics and identify any markets you may have missed in your former campaigns.
- Build your holiday media kit
- Update metrics (engagement rates, audience demographics, recent growth).
- Create themed packages for your promotions. Use these in pitches to brands and influencers.
(e.g., “12 Days of Gifting,” “Holiday Hauls,” “New Year Reset”).
Use these assets to set the vibe for your campaigns – are you looking for fun, creative imagery decked out in red and green holiday lights? Or are you looking to run a wintery wonderland campaign? The more exciting, the better, as brands and influencers are always looking for fresh campaigns.
3. Pitch to brands early
Start outreach in late summer/early fall to ensure you catch brands’ eye. Include tailored campaign ideas tied to brand goals, as well as results from previous years’ campaigns, to show a positive track record. Be sure to offer tiered options, such as Instagram + TikTok bundles, Reels + Stories.
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4. Plan your content calendar
Stay on top of key dates such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, Christmas, and New Year’s. Plan out each phase of your campaign carefully, but don’t forget to leave space for last-minute sponsored opportunities.
5. Stockpile evergreen content
Prepare generic lifestyle or seasonal content now to keep up consistency when things get hectic later. The more you prepare for your holiday marketing, the smoother you’ll find the holiday season.
Trends to Watch for the Upcoming Holiday Season
- Short-form video dominance: TikTok, Reels, and Shorts will be primary drivers of conversions. Bite-sized reviews for TikTok shop or connected to other links will drive conversions.
- Authentic gifting content: People trust personal gift recommendations from creators, so pitch gifting content to your talent rosters.
- Early shopping behavior: As consumers shop earlier each year to avoid shipping delays, launching your campaigns ahead of time is essential.
- Shoppable content & affiliate links: Use holiday content to drive passive income.
- Cozy, nostalgic aesthetics: These perform well in holiday campaigns and help drive engagement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid waiting too long to reach out to brands. Be cautious of overcommitting to multiple campaigns, as this may lead to missed deadlines. Ensure that you follow audience preferences and track metrics and successes. Be sure to track and report results. Planning prevents these issues.
Conclusion
Q4 is too important to leave until the last minute – jump on your holiday campaigns now. Starting now means better deals, less stress, and stronger audience connections:
- Start pitching,
- Build your holiday content calendar,
- And position yourselves as must-book partners for brands this holiday season.
Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic old-school gifting campaign or a cutting-edge Black Friday rollout, be sure to plan for your holiday marketing.
