Technology

12 Quick Tips for Maximizing Your Social Media This Season

TechnologyOct 23, 2017

12 Quick Tips for Maximizing Your Social Media This Season

Social media success for the holidays will depend on proper messaging and getting consumers engaged. Here’s how, according to a few industry insiders.

2017-Social-media.jpg
New York--The holiday season is the perfect time for retailers to reach out to consumers and engage them via their social media accounts.

But a successful social media campaign doesn’t just come from pretty pictures or making sure posts are going up regularly. It’s also about making sure that the right messaging is getting out and that shoppers are responding to and engaging with what is being posted.

National Jeweler reached out to a number of industry insiders to ask for their tips and advice for social media success this holiday season: Rod Worley, president of Four Grainer; Lauren Strohmeier, content manager at Likeable Local; Shane O’Neill, vice president at Fruchtman Marketing; and Jenna Fish, marketing coordinator at J.R. Dunn Jewelers.

Here’s what they had to say.

1. Make a Connection. Focus on creating highly relatable, human-interest content that will draw consumers in, evoke sentiment or make them laugh. As Worley says, if your content isn’t shared, then nobody cared.


2. Observe the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent of social postings should focus on driving interactions with your followers, such as with comments, retweets, likes and favorites. Only 20 percent should link back to products or special promotions.
A connection has to be made before attempting the sale, Worley said.

According to Strohmeier, those majority posts meant to engage and entertain can be done in a number of ways: be educational and help followers learn about the things for which they have a passion, such as the best jewelry styles to wear during the holidays; inspire followers to create discussions around why everyone loves jewelry; and be entertaining and fun, highlighting local holiday events, asking imaginative questions or trivia questions and more.

3. Repurpose and reuse. Don’t hesitate to use engaging content multiple times on different platforms, especially if a post is getting shared or liked, Worley says. It’s not about the quantity of content created; it’s about making engaging, highly relatable content.

4. Use visuals to grab attention. Visual content is king on social media; the right image, video or GIF makes all the difference and stops followers mid-scroll. There are a number of great sources to use here, including Canva to freely and easily create posts or StockSnap for photos.

5. Work with non-profits in your community. Tis the season of giving, and jewelers should be sure to be a part of that. Recent studies show that 90 percent of consumers would switch to a charitable brand given similar price and quality.

Consider a local charity or cause to which a percentage of revenue can be donated or with which you can partner for the season. Once you pick a cause, Worley recommends finding opportunities to add a social spin to your efforts and encourage your followers to share your posts with special promotions.

6. Help followers with gifting. Think of great gift ideas going into the holidays and feature them in posts. O’Neill says it’s best to feature the hot sellers with price points that fit customers’ gift-giving range.

Always link back to the product or gallery of featured products on the store’s website, particularly if it allows consumers to buy online. If you’re doing digital marketing, you can also re-target those users who visit your site to see these products.

Along the same lines, Fish said J.R. Dunn Jewelers is incorporating “giftable” ideas into the store’s Instagram feed of various price ranges to inspire gift giving.

She also suggests making new gift guides catered to individual interests and brand-loyal customers and targeting them specifically to optimize conversion.

7. Try a flash sale on Facebook. Create a compelling offer to buy online for a day. This could mean using a coupon code or placing select products in a sale gallery on the website. And don't forget to push your flash sale post with Facebook advertising, O’Neill says. 

This kind of thing isn’t for all retailers and should be limited in scope. He says Fruchtman doesn’t recommend sales during the holidays as it can needlessly eat into margin, so consider doing it sometime between Dec. 15 and 20.
8. Take online to in-store. Does the store offer any special incentives for a consumer to visit, like gift with purchase or special holiday gift grab bags? Push the shopper to stop into the store by creating opportunities for them to need to do so.

9. Run contests. J.R. Dunn is using giveaway contests with season specific on-trend jewelry pieces on preparation for the holiday gift guides and promotions, and Fish says they’re seeing a lot of success with it so far.

10. Feature their stories, too. Fish says that showcasing images and real-life stories of clients getting engaged almost always receives high engagement on social media accounts. It’s also great for helping people connect with the store on an emotional level, especially during the holidays when engagements peak.

11. Show your gratitude. Take some time to let the community around the store know how much it appreciates them. This can be through a thank you to followers and fans for their support, giving shout-outs to loyal customers and showcasing testimonials or sharing support for customers who are giving back.

12. Consider your hashtags carefully. They increase the visibility of posts and campaigns and should be used. Include popular and trending jewelry hashtags in posts the store wants to amplify on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For special events or campaigns, invent a unique hashtag, then ask people to spread the word or share their thoughts using the same hashtag, Strohmeier suggests.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Boucheron Quatre Sand Collection
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed Sand

Its “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.

Stock image of crime scene tape
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab

Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.

Neil Lane and Boucheron bow tie brooch
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art

“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.

gia-edu main image.png
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Online education from GIA experts.

Just Jules opal necklace
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful Show

The month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.

Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Peter Smith National Jeweler columnist
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-Reflection

Smith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.

Plah Black Swan Earrings
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From Vicenzaoro

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.

reDollar-fine-jewelry-department.jpg
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment Program

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

People shopping in a mall
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September

Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.

Gemfields rough emeralds
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%

Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.

Pandora executives Alexander Lacik and Berta de Pablos-Barbier
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO

Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.

Gavel near stacks of books
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store Scam

Two men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell John Hardy Lovestruck Collection
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John Hardy

The “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.

Spinelli Kilcollin Market Highland Park
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in Dallas

The brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.

Nina Pugliese Henne Jewelers
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65

She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.

Kwait White and Yellow Gold Diamond Earrings
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear Focus

Move over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.

Mark Henry Leandra Medine Cohen
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in Canada

The New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.

Overnight volume 7 bridal catalog
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal Catalog

The “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.

Hand holding holiday shopping bags
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard Says

Holiday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.

Austin Shines Jewelry Award
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced

Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.

Kwit Square Signet Pinky Ring in Red and Azure
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky Ring

The red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.

Jewelers of America Fly In
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-In

A trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.

Entrance to Jwaneng diamond mine in Botswana
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers

Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.

Kira Jewels Growing Rowing Machines
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond Production

The manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.

Alex Moss SoHo store
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHo

The jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.

Matthew Wilson, Kavin Kulamavalava, and a Elmasolvex VA
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New York

The Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.

Representatives of India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council and Indian government leaders
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into Disarray

The 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy