The holidays are fast approaching, and shoppers are starting to think about gifts for their loved ones. By now, you’ve likely set up your holiday keywords, but that’s only one part of landing more sales. To stand out, you’ll also need effective marketing strategies. Here are some last-minute tips to help you market your Etsy holiday gifts and grab buyer’s attention.
Use Etsy Keywords That Sell
“Holiday gifts” may seem generic, but it’s a highly searched term on Etsy this time of year. So it’s no surprise that shoppers flock to Etsy during the holiday season looking for the perfect holiday gift. They know they can find unique, handmade items that stand out from the typical retail options.
What is surprising is how broad some of their holiday searches can be.
Many buyers start shopping with vague search terms like “holiday gifts” or “Christmas presents.” These searches bring up an overwhelming variety of products—everything from handmade candles to custom jewelry and quirky home decor.
That’s where you come in. To stand out from the crowd and turn those vague searches into conversions, you’ll need to snag your buyers attention with smart marketing tactics.
→Here’s how to find Etsy tags that sell (any time of the year)
It’s not just about creating visible listings—it’s about making buyer’s want to click (and then make the purchase).
Now, let’s dive into some actionable strategies you can implement to grab attention and drive sales this holiday season.
How to find better holiday keywords for Etsy:
- Use tools like Marmalead to uncover niche holiday-related keywords that are relevant to your products.
- Focus on long tail keywords like “personalized Christmas gifts for kids” or “handmade holiday decor” to capture specific searches.
- Regularly update your keywords as you see which ones are driving traffic to your shop.
Capture Attention with Lifestyle Photography
If you want your Etsy holiday gifts to sell, you need to make them desirable. And nothing creates desire better than top-tier product photography. Forget plain white backgrounds—this season, it’s all about festive, eye-catching visuals.
Set up a cozy scene with a decorated Christmas tree, a crackling fireplace, or even a snowy outdoor backdrop. A lifestyle shot, such as a smiling child holding your product under the tree, instantly connects with buyers. It shows them how your product can fit into their holiday celebrations.
Lifestyle Photography Tips:
- Use props like Christmas lights, cozy blankets, or snow scenes to make your products feel festive and warm.
- Highlight your product being used or gifted in a natural setting to create an emotional connection with shoppers.
- Test different lifestyle photos to see which ones drive the most engagement and conversions.
Leverage Long-Form Social Media Posts
Don’t just rely on photos to sell your products. Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are great for showcasing your items, but pairing strong visuals with a compelling story is a game-changer.
Use captions or long-form posts to share why you started your Etsy shop, what makes your products special, and how they’re made. Think of it as a mini blog post to engage your audience and create an emotional connection.
Using Social Media for Etsy Sales:
- Write longer captions that tell the story behind your products, such as why you started making them or how they’re made.
- Include a clear call-to-action like “Order by [date] to get it in time for Christmas!” to create urgency.
- Repurpose your posts into smaller snippets for different platforms to keep your social media feed active and engaging.
Boost Visibility with Etsy Ads
Etsy Ads are a great way to give your holiday listings an extra push. Even with a small budget, promoting your best-selling or seasonal products can increase visibility in a crowded marketplace. Focus on the keywords shoppers are likely using during the holidays, and ensure your listings are optimized with captivating titles, descriptions, and photos.
By targeting holiday shoppers with Etsy Ads, you increase the chances of reaching buyers who are ready to purchase.
Getting Started with Ads for the Holidays:
- Allocate a small daily budget to Etsy Ads targeting holiday-related keywords and track the performance.
- Run A/B tests with different product titles, photos, and pricing to see what resonates best with your audience.
- Focus on your most popular or best-reviewed products to get the highest return on ad spend.
Create Holiday Bundles or Special Offers
Everyone loves a good deal during the holiday season. Consider offering holiday-themed bundles or discounts on multiple items to encourage bigger orders. For example, if you sell personalized mugs, offer a “Holiday Mug Set” at a slight discount when shoppers buy two or more. This not only increases your average order value but also gives buyers an extra incentive to purchase from you.
You can also offer limited-time discounts or promotions like free shipping, which can be a major deciding factor for holiday shoppers.
Holiday Budling Tips:
- Offer limited-time holiday bundles with a slight discount to encourage higher order values.
- Create urgency by promoting “limited-time offers” or “only available until [date]” promotions.
- Consider offering free shipping or gift wrapping as an extra incentive for holiday shoppers.
Collaborate with Other Etsy Sellers
There’s strength in numbers. Collaborating with complementary Etsy shops can amplify your holiday marketing efforts. Reach out to sellers whose products pair well with yours—whether it’s socks and slippers or wall art and frames.
You can bundle your products together or simply cross-promote. This collaboration taps into new customer bases and gives your shop a fresh boost during the holiday rush.
How to Work with Other Etsy Sellers:
- Identify Etsy sellers with complementary products and reach out for cross-promotion or joint giveaways.
- Create a special bundle that includes items from both shops to offer shoppers a complete gift package.
- Promote each other’s products on social media or through email newsletters to reach a wider audience.
Encourage Tagging for More Engagement
Gifting can be tricky, especially for those hard-to-buy-for friends and family members. Use this to your advantage by encouraging your followers to tag a friend who might struggle with gift shopping.
A post like, “Tag the friend who’s impossible to shop for – we’ve got the perfect gift!” not only promotes your product but also drives engagement and widens your audience.
Social Media Tagging Tips:
- Run a campaign asking followers to tag a friend who would love your product or needs help with holiday gift ideas.
- Offer a small incentive like a discount or free gift wrap for those who participate and tag friends.
- Engage with users in the comments to build rapport and increase visibility through social media algorithms.
Get Earned Media Coverage
Don’t underestimate the power of digital PR. Many publications, bloggers, and journalists are always on the lookout for unique gift ideas for holiday articles. Submitting your Etsy products for gift guides or features can result in valuable earned media exposure.
Tools like HARO (Help a Reporter Out) allow you to respond to journalists’ requests for product recommendations. You can also proactively reach out to bloggers or editors using tools like ClearBit or Hunter to pitch your products.
Getting the Most of Earned Media:
- Respond to HARO (Help a Reporter Out) requests for product recommendations to get your items in holiday gift guides.
- Use tools like ClearBit or Hunter to find journalists’ emails and pitch your product to relevant media outlets.
- Personalize your outreach and follow up if you don’t get a response within a week or two.
Over to You
Marketing your Etsy holiday gifts doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does require creativity. From crafting engaging social media posts to collaborating with fellow sellers, these strategies can help you attract holiday shoppers.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to drive traffic—it’s to convert that traffic into loyal customers.
And as always, happy selling!
