Why Generic Holiday Social Media Posts Are Hurting Your Brand (And What to Do Instead)
The holidays are a prime time for connection, reflection, and yes, marketing. But let’s be real—every year, brands flood social media with the same tired messages. You’ve seen it: a graphic that says, “Happy Thanksgiving!” with a stock image of a turkey or a post that reads, “From our family to yours, Happy Holidays.” While the sentiment is nice, these posts aren’t doing what you think they are. In fact, they might even be hurting your brand.
Here’s the problem: generic holiday posts don’t stand out. Worse, they can drag down your social media performance, making it harder for your future content to get noticed. It’s time to rethink how you approach holiday content—because if you’re going to join the conversation, you need to make it count.
Why Generic Holiday Content Fails
1. Oversaturation
Everyone—and I mean everyone—is posting holiday content during this time of year. Your audience is scrolling through endless “Happy Holidays” posts from brands, friends, and family. A cookie-cutter message isn’t memorable; it’s wallpaper.
2. Lack of Authenticity
Your audience can tell when you’re phoning it in. If your brand’s usual tone isn’t warm and fuzzy, suddenly posting a sentimental “from our family to yours” graphic feels out of place. It doesn’t sound like you, and authenticity matters more than ever on social media.
3. Negative Impact on Engagement
Here’s the kicker: social media algorithms are powered by engagement. When you post something and it gets minimal likes, shares, or comments, platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn are less likely to show your next post to your audience. A generic holiday post with low engagement can hurt the performance of your entire feed.
What to Do Instead
Holidays are an incredible opportunity to connect with your audience. You just have to approach it with a little creativity and a lot of authenticity. Here’s how:
1. Share Something Personal
Instead of slapping a generic greeting on a stock image, give your followers a peek behind the curtain. Share a story about your team’s holiday traditions, or post a photo from your company holiday party. People love seeing the real side of a brand—it makes you relatable and memorable.
2. Add Value
Think about what your audience actually wants to see during the holidays. Can you offer them a helpful tip, like a quick recipe, gift idea, or stress-reducing hack? Or maybe you can share a reflection on what the year has meant for your business. Posts that provide value will always perform better than filler content.
3. Lean Into Your Brand Personality
The holidays don’t have to mean sappy sentiments. If humor is your brand’s thing, make a funny holiday meme. If you’re a quirky brand, embrace the chaos of the season. Whatever you do, stay true to your voice.
4. Encourage Engagement
Give your audience a reason to interact with your post. Ask them a fun question like, “What’s your favorite holiday tradition?” or “Team Eggnog or Team Hot Cocoa?” This can spark conversation and boost engagement.
The Long-Term Payoff of Unique Holiday Content
Here’s why this matters: your social media content doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Every post you make contributes to the overall health of your online presence. When you prioritize authenticity and creativity, you’re building trust with your audience and boosting your content’s visibility.
Sure, it takes a little extra effort to create a unique holiday post, but the payoff is worth it. You’ll not only stand out in a sea of sameness, but you’ll also foster deeper connections with your audience—and isn’t that what the holidays are all about?
This year, skip the stock images and predictable copy. Make your holiday content a true reflection of your brand. Because when you show up authentically, your audience will notice.
