7 tips for advertising during the holidays
and use your marketing budget really Clever
At Clever Strategy, we see it time and time again: companies that invest heavily but achieve little result. It doesn't have to be that way. We help you not only get your campaigns in order, but to make a real impact. With hyper-personalized strategies, the smart use of data and technology, and an approach fully focused on growth. No noise, no waste – just results. These are our 7 tips to take your holiday marketing to the next level.
1. Make smart use of the holidays
Not all holidays are equally relevant to every organization. It's smart to focus on moments that really connect with your target audience and offering. Whether it's Black Friday, Sinterklaas, or Christmas, focus on what your customer needs. Analyze search behavior and previous results to determine where the biggest opportunities lie. The holidays can be an opportunity to connect with your target audience, but that only works if you know where to focus. Need help with this? We are happy to help you ensure that you are visible at the right time. Important dates?
- Singles Day (November 11): Score with exclusive daily deals.
- Black Friday (Nov. 24): Prepare for consumers who plan their purchasing decisions weeks in advance.
- Christmas (December 24-26): Inspire customers early with targeted campaigns.
2. Keep an eye on your budget with a solid plan
Competition is fierce during the holiday season, which means advertising costs go up. Make sure you have a clear plan and know where you want to focus your efforts. Consider campaigns that generate conversions, such as retargeting, rather than purely visibility. It's smart to set up your budget flexibly so you can adjust it if the results require it.
3. Retarget with relevance
Visitors often view multiple options before deciding to make a purchase. Retargeting allows you to reach these potential customers again and increase the likelihood of conversion. This could include showing them products they have previously viewed or exclusive offers that create a sense of urgency.
4. Invest in eye-catching visuals
Visual content a crucial role during the holiday season. Campaigns with strong images, festive colors, and interactive elements are more likely to stand out in consumers' crowded timelines. Think of videos, carousel posts, or user-generated content authentically represents your brand. Consistency in appearance and message is essential.
5. Make emails a joy to read
A good email campaign goes beyond just a nice offer. Use the power of personalization, interaction, and attractive visuals to stand out in the inbox. Consider interactive advent calendars or exclusive discount codes that immediately activate your target audience.
6. Advent calendar: a surprise every day
An advent calendar is a fun way to create engagement. Give your target audience a reason to come back every day, whether it's a discount code, a giveaway, or free shipping. Plan these promotions carefully and make sure they align with your brand and target audience.
7. Measure, learn, and improve
After the holidays, the real work begins. Analyze your campaigns and see what worked well—and what could be improved. Use these insights to refine your strategy for next year. It's not just about short-term success, but also about learning and growing in the long term. Be sure to look at the results from previous years as well.
Ready to take your holiday marketing to the next level?
We believe that the key lies in working smart: combining data, (smart) technology, a strategic approach, and smart media buying to get the most out of your marketing budget. Together, we create sustainable growth. Contact us and discover how we can help you.
Content sells: how to entice your target audience
Content converts:
5 tips for success
You have a beautifully designed landing page, but conversions are lagging behind. Sound familiar? Content really converts requires more than just a nice look. It's about the right message, at the right time, and in the right way. How do you get your target audience to take action? Below are 5 proven tips that will take your content the next level.
1. Use gaze cueing: guide your visitor's gaze
People instinctively follow where others are looking. This is called gaze cueing. Use images of people looking at or pointing to your call-to-action. This simple psychological principle draws attention to the place where you want action. For example, a model looking at the submit button on a form increases the chance that your visitors will also see and use that button.
2. Answer all questions from your target audience
Visitors often have a specific goal in mind when they visit your page. Make sure you answer all possible questions before they leave. Consider the following:
Be thorough and clear so that you can dispel any doubts. Tip: use customer surveys or FAQs to find out what your target group really wants to know.
3. Apply Cialdini's principles of persuasion
Cialdini's principles of influence are a powerful tool for making your content . Consider:
These principles inspire confidence and urgency, prompting visitors to take action more quickly.
4. Use storytelling
People remember stories much better than dry facts. Use storytelling to bring your product or service to life. Think of customer success stories, a powerful case study, or an example situation in which your solution makes a difference. A good story touches emotions and convinces rationally.
5. Use powerful calls to action
A good call-to-action (CTA) is clear, eye-catching, and focused on a specific action. Use active language such as:
In addition, ensure that your CTA stands out visually. Use contrasting colors and place the button in a logical location—for example, immediately after a compelling argument or testimonial.
Are your conversions lagging behind?
Are you applying these tips, but still not getting the desired results? Or do you want to be sure that your content converts content ? Send an email to Kjeld, or contact us and discover how we content your content perform better.
Clever Measurement Framework: how to ensure measurable campaigns
Discover the Clever Framework:
Control over your data and results
Do you know which KPIs really contribute to your organizational goals? Many companies collect mountains of data, but forget to determine in advance how they can measure whether the objectives are being achieved. The result? Campaign results are not measurable, and valuable insights are left untapped. Data is only powerful if you determine in advance what information you need to know what success looks like. Only then can you make strategic choices. The Clever Framework brings structure to your data and shows which CRM and web KPIs directly contribute to your organizational goals.
What is the Clever Measurement Framework?
The Clever Framework is a strategic tool that provides insight into your data and KPIs. It allows you to determine in advance what you want to measure, why you want to measure it, and how it contributes to your marketing or organizational objectives. This finally makes your data truly useful.
What are the benefits?
The framework focuses on two pillars that are essential for growth:
Getting started with the framework in practice
1. CRM KPIs: measure what really makes your customers grow
Many companies collect customer data, but without a clear structure, this data remains unused. The Clever Measurement Framework helps you:
Pitfall: Companies often measure what is "easy" rather than what is important. This framework forces you to choose KPIs that truly add value.
2. Website KPIs: focus on what really makes your site perform
Your website is more than just a digital business card—it's a crucial link in the customer journey. The Clever Measurement Framework helps you:
Tip: Choose KPIs that directly contribute to your goals. The framework helps you eliminate irrelevant statistics.
Why choose the Clever Measurement Framework?
Many companies get stuck in measuring without focus. The Clever Measurement Framework helps you determine in advance which KPIs are needed to work in a results-oriented way. You gain control over your data and can directly link your marketing actions to measurable success. No noise, no waste—just relevant insights that help your organization move forward.
Want to download it for free? Email us!
Want to get started with the Clever Measurement Framework right away? Send an email to Dana and receive the framework for free. Take the first step toward greater control, focus, and results today.
White paper Hyper-personalization
White paper: Hyper-personalization
Do you want to truly engage and retain your customers? Personalization is the key. By using data intelligently, you can create customer journeys and campaigns that seamlessly match the needs of your target audience. No waste, just relevant connections and interactions that lead to growth.
In our white paper, you will discover:
Stop running generic campaigns that don't work and start marketing that resonates.
Would you like to request a white paper?
Seize this opportunity and request the white paper by sending an email to Kjeld. Take the first step today toward marketing that touches and engages customers.
Clever Maturity Model: your path to growth
Discover the Clever Maturity Model
Your path to sustainable growth
Do you know exactly where your marketing stands right now and how you can continue to grow? Many organizations work hard, but without the right frameworks, you often lack the focus to make a real impact. The Clever Maturity Model gives you insight and direction. With this strategic framework, we map out your marketing activities and work with you to determine the steps needed to achieve structural growth.
What is the Clever Maturity Model?
The Clever Maturity Model is a powerful strategic framework for shaping your marketing strategy for the next 3 to 5 years. By determining where you are now and where the low-hanging fruit is, you can develop a concrete step-by-step plan for targeted growth.
The model assesses your organization on various pillars, such as strategy, CRM, media, data, content, website, team, technology, and business value. What does this mean in concrete terms? For each pillar, we provide insight into the steps needed to grow to the next phase.
The four phases of the Clever Maturity Model
Crawling – Laying foundations
Marketing is reactive, data and processes are limited. In this phase, you build a solid foundation with a basic strategy, data insight, and a clear infrastructure.
Running – Creating structure
Your campaigns become more consistent and data begins to play a role. You focus on better collaboration and effective processes.
Running – Operating in a results-oriented manner
Data-driven campaigns deliver consistent results. Technology is integrated and marketing activities are directly linked to business goals.
Flying – Hyperconnected growth
Your marketing is fully integrated, customer-focused, and scalable. You operate in a future-proof manner and are a leader in your market.
Why choose the Clever Maturity Model?
This model not only provides insight, but also a clear step-by-step plan. It gives you a clear overview of what you can improve and which actions will have the greatest impact at each stage. Want to be sure you're making the right choices? We're here to help.
We are happy to help you further
Would you like to know where your organization stands and what steps you can take? Together, we will develop strategic frameworks for the next 3-5 years and plot your organization in the Clever Maturity Model. Let us help you with a practical roadmap that leads to lasting success. Contact us today and discover the possibilities.
Advertising during Black Friday and the holidays
7 tips for advertising during the holidays
and use your marketing budget really Clever
At Clever Strategy, we see it time and time again: companies that invest heavily but achieve little result. It doesn't have to be that way. We help you not only get your campaigns in order, but to make a real impact. With hyper-personalized strategies, the smart use of data and technology, and an approach fully focused on growth. No noise, no waste – just results. These are our 7 tips to take your holiday marketing to the next level.
1. Make smart use of the holidays
Not all holidays are equally relevant to every organization. It's smart to focus on moments that really connect with your target audience and offering. Whether it's Black Friday, Sinterklaas, or Christmas, focus on what your customer needs. Analyze search behavior and previous results to determine where the biggest opportunities lie. The holidays can be an opportunity to connect with your target audience, but that only works if you know where to focus. Need help with this? We are happy to help you ensure that you are visible at the right time. Important dates?
2. Keep an eye on your budget with a solid plan
Competition is fierce during the holiday season, which means advertising costs go up. Make sure you have a clear plan and know where you want to focus your efforts. Consider campaigns that generate conversions, such as retargeting, rather than purely visibility. It's smart to set up your budget flexibly so you can adjust it if the results require it.
3. Retarget with relevance
Visitors often view multiple options before deciding to make a purchase. Retargeting allows you to reach these potential customers again and increase the likelihood of conversion. This could include showing them products they have previously viewed or exclusive offers that create a sense of urgency.
4. Invest in eye-catching visuals
Visual content a crucial role during the holiday season. Campaigns with strong images, festive colors, and interactive elements are more likely to stand out in consumers' crowded timelines. Think of videos, carousel posts, or user-generated content authentically represents your brand. Consistency in appearance and message is essential.
5. Make emails a joy to read
A good email campaign goes beyond just a nice offer. Use the power of personalization, interaction, and attractive visuals to stand out in the inbox. Consider interactive advent calendars or exclusive discount codes that immediately activate your target audience.
6. Advent calendar: a surprise every day
An advent calendar is a fun way to create engagement. Give your target audience a reason to come back every day, whether it's a discount code, a giveaway, or free shipping. Plan these promotions carefully and make sure they align with your brand and target audience.
7. Measure, learn, and improve
After the holidays, the real work begins. Analyze your campaigns and see what worked well—and what could be improved. Use these insights to refine your strategy for next year. It's not just about short-term success, but also about learning and growing in the long term. Be sure to look at the results from previous years as well.
Ready to take your holiday marketing to the next level?
We believe that the key lies in working smart: combining data, (smart) technology, a strategic approach, and smart media buying to get the most out of your marketing budget. Together, we create sustainable growth. Contact us and discover how we can help you.
The perfect email frequency: increased loyalty through personalization
How do you ensure that your emails arrive at the right time?
Too many emails? Annoying. Too few? Forgotten. Finding the perfect balance between contact moments is crucial in email marketing. It starts with a smart plan: how often and with what message do you approach your customers? We call this a communication frequency plan (also known as a "cadence plan"). Add to that a preference center where customers can indicate what they want to receive, and you have the ideal basis for a strategy that makes customers happy and strengthens loyalty.
Do you already have advanced technology such as Bloomreach Engagement? Then this is easy to implement. Do you work with other tools? No problem, we will show you what is possible and how you can take steps forward, regardless of your current software.
What is a communication frequency plan?
A communication frequency plan (cadence plan) is a schedule that determines how often you contact your customers via email. It helps you to:
Instead of just sending emails, you follow a strategy tailored to your customers' needs. For example, you can give customers who have just made a purchase a short break before approaching them again. Customers who have been inactive for a while can be reactivated with a specific campaign.
What is a preferences center?
A preference center is a tool that allows you to give customers control over the frequency and content of your emails. Customers can use it to indicate:
The advantage?
Important: a preferences center does not automatically mean fewer emails. Customers can also indicate that they want to receive more relevant messages.
How does this work with Bloomreach (and other tools)?
With advanced platforms such as Bloomreach Engagement, you can easily set up and automate both a communication frequency plan and a preference center. For example, you can:
Don't have Bloomreach?
Many standard email tools do not offer advanced options for dynamic personalization or integrated preference centers. But that doesn't mean you can't take steps to improve! Clever Strategy you with solutions that fit your current technology. Think of manual segmentations or simple automations to take you a step further.
The results: higher loyalty, more conversion
With a strategy that strikes the right balance between frequency and relevance, you will achieve tangible results:
Frequently asked questions
1. How do I set up a communication frequency plan?
Start with data: analyze your current sending frequency, open rates, and unsubscribes. Then test different frequencies to see what works.
2. Is a preference center mandatory?
No, but it is a powerful tool for giving customers more control and increasing your relevance.
3. Can I still benefit from this strategy without Bloomreach?
Yes! Although Bloomreach offers advanced features, you can also take steps with other tools, such as manual segmentations and basic automations. Clever Strategy you make the most of the possibilities within your current system.
We are happy to help you further
Are your email campaigns lagging behind in results despite these tips? Or can we help you with the implementation? At Clever Strategy, we help you optimize your email frequency and make a maximum impact.
Let's take your email marketing to the next level together. Send an email to Ibe, or contact us directly.