December is here, and the countdown to the holidays is in full swing.
This is the final stretch for businesses to drive sales and maximise revenue before the year ends. If you feel behind on your marketing strategy, don’t worry—there’s still time to make a big impact.
This list of 11 last-minute marketing tips will help you take quick, effective actions to attract customers, boost sales, and end the year on a high note.
From simple promotions to creative campaigns, these strategies are designed to save you time while delivering results during the year’s busiest shopping season.
#1 Launch a Limited-Time Holiday Promotion
Creating a sense of urgency is one of the most powerful ways to drive last-minute sales, especially during the holiday rush.
A well-timed limited-time promotion can grab shoppers’ attention and motivate them to act quickly to secure a deal.
Leverage holiday-themed discounts, flash sales, or exclusive bundles that align with your customers’ needs. For example, “24-Hour Flash Sale – 20% Off All Gift Sets” can be both enticing and time-sensitive.
Add countdown timers on your website, email campaigns, and social media ads to amplify the urgency and keep customers engaged.
Tips
- Bundle Products for Value: Pair popular products at a discounted price to encourage higher-value purchases.
- Use Tiered Discounts: Offer increasing discounts for larger purchases, such as “Spend $100, get 10% off; Spend $200, get 20% off.”
- Promote “While Supplies Last” Deals: Highlight limited stock to create urgency and drive immediate action.
#2 Leverage Email Campaigns with Holiday-Themed Deals
Email marketing remains one of the most effective tools to engage customers and drive holiday sales, especially when paired with timely, festive offers.
A well-crafted, holiday-themed email campaign can capture attention, highlight last-minute deals, and encourage immediate purchases.
Segment your email list to target different customer groups, such as loyal shoppers, first-time buyers, or cart abandoners.
Tailor your messaging to their needs and behaviours—for example, a “Special Thank You” discount for repeat customers or an “Act Fast!” reminder for those who left items in their cart.
Add clear calls-to-action (CTAs) like “Shop Now” or “Claim Your Discount” to guide readers directly to your site.
Tips
- Send Personalized Emails: Use the recipient’s name and recommend products based on previous purchases.
- Create a Sense of Urgency: Use subject lines like “Last Chance for Holiday Savings!” or “24 Hours Left to Grab Your Gift.”
- Include Festive Visuals: Add holiday-themed graphics, banners, and cheerful colours to make your emails stand out.
#3 Optimize Your Website for Last-Minute Shoppers
As December sales ramp up, many shoppers are racing against time to find the perfect gifts.
Ensuring your website is fast, user-friendly, and optimised for quick purchases is critical to capturing these buyers.
A smooth, hassle-free experience encourages customers to complete their purchases without abandoning their carts.
Start by improving site speed—holiday shoppers have no patience for slow-loading pages.
Simplify your navigation so customers can quickly find products, gift categories, or promotions.
Highlight urgent offers and deadlines (e.g., “Order by December 20th for Guaranteed Delivery”) prominently on your homepage, product pages, and checkout process.
Tips
- Enable Guest Checkout: Reduce friction by allowing shoppers to complete purchases without creating an account.
- Add a Holiday Gift Guide Section: Help last-minute shoppers discover gift ideas with curated lists for “Him,” “Her,” or “Budget-Friendly Gifts.”
- Optimise for Mobile: Ensure your website is fully responsive and provides a seamless mobile shopping experience.
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#4 Use Social Media to Promote Flash Sales
Social media is a powerful tool for reaching last-minute shoppers and driving quick sales, especially during the holiday season.
Promoting flash sales on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok can create a sense of urgency, spark interest, and push customers to act immediately.
Use eye-catching visuals, festive graphics, and short videos to showcase your deals. Pair this with strong CTAs like “Shop Now” or “Limited Stock – Act Fast!” to guide shoppers to your website.
Utilise features like Instagram Stories, Facebook Live, or TikTok videos to promote exclusive time-sensitive discounts, countdown timers, and product highlights in a dynamic way.
Tips
- Go Live with Flash Sales: Host a quick “live” event to engage followers and showcase deals in real-time.
- Leverage Stories and Reels: Use Instagram or Facebook Stories to post daily updates on limited-time offers with countdown stickers to build urgency.
- Encourage User Interaction: Ask followers to comment, share, or tag friends for a chance to win discounts or giveaways.
#5 Create Gift Guides to Simplify Shopping
When time is tight, shoppers appreciate easy solutions. Holiday gift guides are a perfect way to streamline the decision-making process and help customers find the right products quickly.
By curating gifts into categories—like “Gifts for Him,” “Gifts for Her,” “Under $50,” or “Last-Minute Finds”—you make it easier for customers to browse and buy.
Gift guides work particularly well for online and email campaigns, where endless options often overwhelm shoppers. Showcase popular products, seasonal best-sellers, and unique items that align with customer preferences.
Add compelling visuals and brief descriptions to make your guides visually engaging and actionable.
Tips
- Feature Trending Products: Highlight the top-selling items or customer favourites to build trust and inspire purchases.
- Create a Digital Flipbook: Use tools like Issuu to design an interactive, visually appealing gift guide for your website or email campaigns.
- Promote “Last-Minute Picks”: Dedicate a section for products that can ship quickly or are available for in-store pickup.
#6 Offer Free Shipping or Express Delivery Options
When it comes to last-minute shopping, convenience and speed are non-negotiable.
Offering free shipping or express delivery options can be the deciding factor for customers choosing your business over competitors.
Many shoppers abandon carts when delivery fees are unexpectedly high or shipping times don’t meet their holiday deadlines.
Highlight these options prominently on your homepage, product pages, and during checkout.
Use banners like “Free Shipping on All Orders Over $50” or “Guaranteed Delivery Before Christmas – Act Now!” to reassure customers and create urgency.
For local customers, consider same-day or in-store pickup options to make last-minute shopping more accessible.
Tips
- Set a Minimum Purchase for Free Shipping: Encourage larger orders by offering free shipping on purchases above a certain threshold.
- Promote Cutoff Dates: Clearly communicate deadlines for express shipping to avoid disappointment and build trust.
- Offer Local Pickup: Implement a “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” option for faster, hassle-free fulfilment.
#7 Highlight Stocking Stuffers and Smaller Gift Ideas
Smaller, affordable gifts—often called stocking stuffers—are a huge hit during the holiday season, especially for last-minute shoppers.
Featuring a curated selection of budget-friendly and thoughtful items makes it easier for customers to complete their shopping lists quickly.
Create a dedicated section on your website or in-store displays for stocking stuffers and small gift ideas.
Highlight items like accessories, gadgets, candles, or personalised products that are inexpensive yet impactful. Use phrases like “Perfect for Stockings” or “Small Gifts, Big Joy” in your promotions to capture attention and drive impulse purchases.
Tips
- Bundle Small Items: Create gift bundles with a mix of stocking stuffers to increase perceived value and encourage larger purchases.
- Add a Price Filter: Make it easy for shoppers to browse gifts under a certain price, like “Gifts Under $20.”
- Promote Impulse Buys: Display smaller items near the checkout page or counter to capture last-minute purchases.
#8 Retarget Cart Abandoners with Urgent Reminders
Cart abandonment is a common challenge, particularly during the busy holiday season when shoppers are distracted or comparing options.
Retargeting these potential buyers with timely, urgent reminders can significantly boost conversions and recover lost sales.
Send automated emails or display ads to remind customers of the items left in their carts.
Use compelling messaging like “Don’t Miss Out – Complete Your Purchase Before It’s Gone!” or “Only a Few Left in Stock – Act Now!” to create urgency. Include product images, a direct link to the cart, and any limited-time incentives, such as free shipping or discounts to encourage quick action.
Tips
- Add a Countdown Timer: Use a timer in retargeting emails to emphasise limited-time offers.
- Offer a Small Incentive: Provide a discount or free shipping to cart abandoners who return to complete their purchase.
- Use Dynamic Ads: Retarget abandoners on social media with ads featuring the exact products they left behind.
#9 Partner with Influencers for Quick Holiday Exposure
Influencers can significantly boost your last-minute holiday marketing efforts by quickly reaching targeted audiences and driving purchase decisions.
Collaborating with relevant influencers allows you to showcase products in an authentic, relatable way, building trust and encouraging fast action during the holiday rush.
Identify influencers who align with your brand and audience—whether they focus on lifestyle, home decor, fashion, or gift guides—and work with them to promote your products through posts, stories, or short videos.
Use time-sensitive messages like “Last-Minute Gift Ideas You’ll Love!” or “Exclusive Holiday Discounts – Act Fast!” to encourage followers to shop immediately.
Tips
- Offer Exclusive Discount Codes: Give influencers unique codes to share with their followers for a quick sales boost.
- Leverage Short-Form Video: Use Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts for product demos and gift highlights.
- Host a Quick Giveaway: Partner with influencers for a limited-time giveaway to generate excitement and increase visibility.
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#10 Bundle Products for Greater Value
During the holiday season, shoppers are looking for ways to get the most out of their budget.
Bundling products allows you to create attractive offers that increase perceived value while encouraging larger purchases.
By pairing complementary items together—like a kitchen appliance with accessories or a skincare set—you make it easier for customers to find thoughtful gifts while maximising their spending.
Create bundles based on themes such as “Holiday Essentials,” “Gift Sets Under $50,” or “Top Picks for Home Cooks.”
Highlight the savings compared to purchasing items individually and showcase the bundle’s benefits.
Promote these offers prominently on your website, social media, and email campaigns to capture attention and drive sales.
Tips
- Highlight Savings: Use messaging like “Save 20% with This Bundle!” to emphasise value.
- Focus on Convenience: Combine items that naturally go together, like a home decor set with candles and wall art.
- Create Limited-Time Bundles: Offer exclusive bundles that are only available until a specific date to create urgency.
#11 Host a Special Holiday Giveaway or Contest
A holiday giveaway or contest is an excellent way to generate excitement, boost brand visibility, and engage customers during the busiest shopping season.
By offering an attractive prize—such as a gift bundle, a popular product, or a holiday shopping voucher—you can encourage participation, increase social media engagement, and drive traffic to your website.
Create clear, easy-to-follow entry rules to maximise participation. Popular options include “Like, Share, and Tag” contests on social media, “Enter to Win” email sign-ups, or website-based giveaways.
Tie the giveaway to a specific promotion, such as offering bonus entries for purchases, to drive both engagement and sales.
Tips
- Leverage Social Media Platforms: Use Instagram or Facebook for shareable giveaways with festive visuals and hashtags like #HolidayGiveaway.
- Require Email Sign-Ups: Use the contest to grow your email list for future campaigns.
- Offer Bonus Entries for Purchases: Encourage sales by giving additional contest entries for each purchase made during the promotion period.
Conclusion
With December in full swing, there’s still time to maximise your holiday sales and end the year strong.
These 11 last-minute marketing tips—from launching limited-time promotions and leveraging email campaigns to partnering with influencers and offering value-packed bundles—are proven strategies to attract customers and drive quick results.
Now is the time to take action. Whether optimising your website, running flash sales, or creating irresistible gift guides, small efforts can make a big impact during the busiest shopping season.
Ready to elevate your holiday marketing? Start implementing these tips today and watch your December sales soar.
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FAQs
Q1: What are the best last-minute marketing strategies for December?
A1: The most effective last-minute strategies include launching limited-time promotions, leveraging holiday-themed email campaigns, running social media flash sales, and bundling products for greater value. These quick tactics create urgency and drive immediate action.
Q2: How can I use email marketing to boost holiday sales?
A2: Segment your email list and send personalised, holiday-themed messages. Include compelling subject lines, time-sensitive offers, and clear calls-to-action like “Shop Now” to encourage quick purchases.
Q3: Why are gift guides effective during the holiday season?
A3: Gift guides simplify shopping for customers by curating thoughtful, categorised gift ideas. They make decision-making easier and improve sales, especially for last-minute shoppers.
Q4: How do limited-time offers help increase sales?
A4 Limited-time offers to create urgency and encourage customers to act quickly to secure deals. Highlight these promotions through banners, countdown timers, and urgent messaging like “Last Chance to Save!”.
Q5: How can I recover abandoned carts during the holidays?
A5: Send automated cart recovery emails or retargeting ads with urgent messaging and incentives like discounts or free shipping. Including product images and direct cart links simplifies the checkout process.
Q6: Why should I partner with influencers for last-minute holiday marketing?
A6: Influencers provide quick, targeted exposure to your audience. They can promote your products through posts, stories, or giveaways, driving immediate traffic and boosting brand trust.
Q7: What’s the advantage of offering free shipping or express delivery?
A7: Free shipping and express delivery appeal to last-minute shoppers who prioritise convenience and speed. Promoting these options can reduce cart abandonment and increase conversions.
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