We’ve been having very fall-like weather in Baltimore recently, which made me realize how close the holidays are. And you know what that means - time to start planning your holiday email campaigns!

I recently attended a Holiday Planning Webinar by Return Path and took away some great tidbits. For example, did you know that 12 out of the top 20 days to send email are all related to Christmas, with December 26th being the #1 day? This means that your recipients’ email inboxes will start to get very full very quickly. Here are just a few tips I learned from the webinar to help you get your email noticed:

• Work up to the holiday sending frequency gradually so recipients come to expect your emails and recognize you in their inbox.
• Show recipients your “most popular” items. This makes their selection easier and gives them confidence in the product.
• Make their holiday shopping easier. Show products that can be used together. For example, instead of promoting one item of clothing, highlight a whole outfit.
• Keep your reader’s attention by offering holiday tips or telling a story through a series of emails. Recipients will look forward to your next email.
• 80% of adults shopping for holiday gifts also buy something for themeselves. Show them that’s ok by sending an email that says “Don’t forget a gift for yourself this holiday season.”

For more great tips, listen to a recording of this webinar. My #1 tip is start planning now because before you know it, we’ll be eating turkey and caroling our way to the malls.