How To Automate Marketing For The Holiday Season

It's nearly the end of the year, which probably means a good break for you. But if you don't want to scramble for clients in the new year, you want to automate marketing over the holidays.

The good news is that technology makes it easy to do just that! This works not only for Christmas and New Year, but any other holiday break you can think of - even your own vacations.

So let's take a look at how to put your marketing on autopilot for a few weeks.

Simple steps to automate marketing over any holiday break

Let people know when you're unavailable - at least 3 times!

It might be reasonable to assume people know you're not available over major holidays. But you'd be surprised how many people will think of seeing a practitioner and email them asking for an appointment over Christmas and New Year!

The same goes for your current clients. Because the lead-up to the holidays is so chaotic, people often find themselves a few days before Christmas and in need of their regular treatment, or a top-up of their supplements and herbal mixes.

With that in mind, I suggest making it clear - early and often - when you will be away.

Share at least 2 posts and an email or text stating:

• What dates you're away

• Whether you will be checking your emails and messages, and if so, how often

• The best way for clients to book in appointments for when you return (such as your booking system)

• What clients should do if they find themselves out of a supplement or herb blend

• A call-to-action for your last bookings for the year (this is why we want to share it early!)

Set up an autoresponder on your social media and emails

One of my favourite ways to automate marketing is using autoresponders. I actually use these on my regular days off as well.

But if you've never used an autoresponder before, now is the time to get familiar with it.

For your Facebook page, head to your inbox, then click 'Automated Responses' on the left-hand side to get set up.

For your Instagram account, if it's set up as a business account, head to Settings, then Business, then Quick Replies.

Email accounts depend on who the provider is. You'll usually find an option under Settings that will help. If your email provider doesn't have an autoresponder or out of office option, you can copy a response into your drafts and send that as a reply to any emails once a day (they won't know!)

If potential clients tend to call you, record a new voicemail to let them know when you're back and if they can book an appointment online.

Schedule some content in advance

You might not working in the biz, but that doesn't mean that you need to disappear from people's feeds!

Many of us spend more time on social media over the holidays because we have so much free time to do so. So it's actually a great time for you to be sharing content regularly. Enter - scheduling content in advance.

Take an hour or so out of your work time sometime in early December, and schedule up a handful of posts for your business pages. It might be new posts, or it might be some repurposed or recycled content.

You can also schedule a newsletter or two, along with a reminder email for a few days before you're back to work.

By keeping your business in people's minds, it's easier for them to build their trust in you as a health expert. This also means it's easier for them to take action and book with you once you're back.

Keep some business cards in your purse or wallet

When you're going to social events, it's almost inevitable that you'll meet someone who could use your help!

Rather than slipping into practitioner-mode when you're out and about, keep a stash of business cards on you. That way, you can pass on your details on the spot and pick up a potential client!

Remind people when you're open for business again

This is particularly important if you're planning on coming back more than a week into January. As soon as people are in the 'new year, new me' mindset, they'll be thinking the ways they want to improve themselves - including seeing a practitioner.

So now that you've got a plan to automate marketing your business over the holidays - go set it all up so you can enjoy your time off guilt-free!

Psst - while we're on the topic - I'll be out of the business between until January! December is already full, and January always books up fast!

So if you've been thinking about working with me, now is the time to book a free chat.

I’m here to help. Click here to book a 1:1 appointment.