As we approach the holiday season, it’s time to gear up for the busiest shopping period of the year. This year, we’re not just looking to attract gamers, but also to capture a portion of the holiday gift money that consumers will be spending. With Black Friday and holiday shopping on the horizon, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve and leverage the latest trends to maximize your profits.
Start Early and Stay Visible:
The holiday shopping season is starting earlier each year. Half of the consumers have already made their purchasing decisions before November.1 So, start your promotions and special offers well in advance to capture this early-bird market. With so many ads flying around for the holidays, consider things like sending out promotional reminder magnets that customers can place on their fridges. This is a tangible and constant reminder of your casino, helping you stay in front of your guests amidst the advertising clutter.
Embrace the Streaming Revolution:
The upcoming holiday season presents a lucrative opportunity for casino operators to engage with customers proactively. As the first week of November will be heavily saturated with election-related advertisements on traditional TV and radio, shifting advertising focus to streaming platforms can provide a more cost-effective and targeted approach. With streaming TV viewing surpassing the 50% mark, leveraging these platforms to promote your property can significantly enhance visibility and engagement. Furthermore, tapping into the festive spirit of gamers indulging in seasonal holiday programming presents a unique avenue for capturing attention and driving interest.
Utilize QR Codes:
Almost half (47%) of the shoppers scanned a QR code from their TVs in 20232. Use this trend to your advantage by incorporating QR codes in your ads. These codes could link to exclusive offers, event tickets, or dining specials.
Mobile Shopping:
In 2023, mobile devices drove over 50% of digital holiday sales revenue for the first time, underscoring the significance of establishing a strong online ad presence. Incorporating holiday-related keywords into your campaigns can further amplify your reach. For instance, the annual surge of individuals searching for “restaurants open on Thanksgiving (or Christmas)” presents a substantial opportunity to influence their decision-making process.
Social Media:
This holiday season, mobile shoppers increasingly rely on social media as a primary source of holiday gift inspiration, directly influencing their holiday shopping lists. A survey revealed that 33% of consumers were likely to shop directly from Instagram, with 31% favoring Facebook and 28% preferring TikTok3. Thus, it is crucial to engage with these individuals who are actively seeking gift ideas and consistently interacting on social media platforms. Implementing an aggressive social advertising campaign will be essential in effectively reaching and resonating with these audiences to drive casino visitation.
Sources: 1. Statista and Gartner, 2. QR Code Statistics, 3. Shopify/Gallup
As casinos navigate the continually evolving landscape of marketing, Catalyst can help your marketing department stay up to speed with marketing trends as they evolve. For more information on how to stay ahead of the game this holiday season, Catalyst is here to help. Contact us at info@teamcatalyst.com.
