Using Holidays to Build Your Brand
Jackie Gulley
Strategic Communications Leader | Business Brand & Executive Visibility, Policy Advocacy
For those of you thinking that a national holiday is just a chance to close your laptop and avoid all email, think again! National holidays provide an opportunity to enhance and promote your brand. Here’s how you can leverage festive occasions and effectively position yourself as an expert in holiday-related topics by contributing articles to magazines and online blogs.
Begin by identifying holidays that are significant to your brand and resonate with your audience. This could include major celebrations such as Earth Day, Halloween, or Independence Day, as well as niche holidays relevant to your industry, like Teacher Appreciation Day for education focused brands.
Research magazines and blogs that have previously published holiday-themed content and align with your brand's values. Timing matters, so begin reaching out a few months in advance for print magazines, a month or so for digital publications. Tailor your pitch to match the style and audience of each publication to increase your chances of being published.
Your pitch should highlight your expertise and offer unique insights on holiday-related topics. Here is a simple outline to follow:
· Briefly introduce yourself and your brand.
· Present an attention-grabbing idea or statistic related to the holiday.
· Explain why you are a credible expert on this topic.
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· Outline the holiday-themed article you have in mind.
· Invite the editor or blogger to discuss further.
Once your article is published, share it on your social media, email newsletters, and website. This enhances your credibility as an expert and drives traffic and engagement to your brand. Include a preview of the article with a link, urging your subscribers to read the full piece. Encourage your audience to engage with the content by asking questions or sharing their own holiday experiences related to the article.
The best news – all of this can happen before the actual holiday, leaving you the opportunity to relax and think up your next brilliant brand promoting idea.
What holidays do you think align best with your brand? Let's brainstorm some pitch ideas together!