In comparison with other major holidays such as Easter and Christmas, Eid Al Adha has triggered a consumer boom in many different industries in the Middle East and North Africa. Marketers need to understand how to effectively target their marketing efforts to this holiday in order to capitalize on the many opportunities that come with it.
In order to successfully reach your target audience, it is important to know the facts covered in this guide, as an insensitive approach to this holiday could be a damaging mistake for your business. Here’s a guide to help you start this year.
Eid Al Adha Marketing is a critical time for businesses to connect with customers and celebrate this cherished festival.
Related: How can you create an Eid gift guide and promote it
Eid Al Adha Marketing Trends
The latest trends in Eid Al Adha marketing involve a blend of tradition and modern technology. In Dubai and other parts of the UAE, the rise of digital marketing during this period is staggering. Social media is taking center stage, with businesses crafting culturally-resonant social media posts in Arabic and utilizing local influencers to create a buzz. Additionally, mobile optimization is crucial, as most consumers use smartphones for their Eid shopping.
Editor’s Note: Want to take advantage of these trends? Get online with GoDaddy’s Website Builder and start connecting with your audience!
The GoDaddy survey reveals that a significant portion of sales happens through social media platforms and digital channels. This emphasizes the importance of digital marketing strategies for Eid Al Adha.
Iconic Symbols of Eid Al Adha Commonly Used in Advertisements
Crescent Moon and Star
The crescent moon is the international symbol of Islam, as seen on the flags of several countries. According to the lunar calendar, the first crescent moon seen each month signifies the first of each month in the lunar calendar.
Because of the symbol's strong association with Islam, the crescent or moon is probably the most well-known image used in advertising for Eid Al Adha.
For any visual advertisement, the crescent or moon should be considered.
Animals
Animals and animal sacrifice play a large role during this holiday. Many companies use animal images to draw attention to this aspect of the holiday. Try to use appropriate images that are aesthetically pleasing and caricatures of animals that don’t show any blood or slaughtering taking place.
Charity
As giving back to the community, especially through charitable campaigns is an important part of this holiday, many shoppers want to make feel-good purchases. As a result, an effective Eid marketing strategy is to emphasize charitable activities from sales.
For example, a lot of brands state that a part of their profit from Eid sales will be going to those in need during such festive times, to share joy and happiness during the holidays, and this marketing strategy has proved itself very effective sales-wise.
Related: Digital marketing tips for SMBs as holidays are approaching
Mosques and Minarets
As the mosque is the worship place for Muslims, it is a beneficial symbol to make use of in a marketing campaign. Eid prayers during Eid Al Adha are an important part of this holiday and therefore you are bound to grab people’s attention by emphasizing this ritual.
Minarets are the tall slender towers from where the call to prayer is emitted.
Bright Lights and Lanterns
Lanterns are a symbol that has become associated with Ramadan celebrations. However, the use of this symbol has caught on for Eid Al Adha as well as the element of the celebration is regarded as a bright, celebratory event to share with loved ones.
Lanterns, strand lights, and lamps are hung up throughout the streets, and many associate them with the holiday, thus a suitable symbol to use in advertisements or in your social campaigns.
Related: Marketing ideas for the Eid: Let your business shine
Eid Al Adha Marketing Case Studies
One remarkable example of successful Eid Al Adha marketing is a clothing brand in Saudi Arabia that capitalized on the tradition of buying new clothes for the festival. Through engaging social media campaigns and collaborations with popular influencers, the brand’s sales soared. Another case in Oman involved a halal food company that launched an online campaign about the importance of sacrifice and giving, tying it with Ibrahim's story in an emotional video. This resonated deeply with the audience, and the company saw a spike in sales during Eid Ul Adha 2022.
Respecting Culture in Your Marketing Messaging
Displaying respect and understanding to the cultural and ritual importance of Eid Al Adha is the key to a successful marketing campaign. To be successful, marketers must use a culturally sensitive and respectful approach in their messaging. Since Eid Al Adha is a holiday that commemorates sacrifice and obedience to religion, it is very emotionally and spiritually charged for Muslims. Therefore, it is especially important to be respectful and in line with customs and beliefs.
It is also important to note that there are two Eids. Eid Al Adha is not to be confused with Eid Al Fitr, the day that signifies the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. This Eid is referred to as the "greater" of the two Eids, meaning it is more important and sacred to Muslims.
If you want to get a head start on your plans for Ramadan next year, you can read more about how to prepare for it here.
Respecting Culture in Your Marketing Messaging
Displaying respect and understanding of the cultural and ritual importance of Eid Al Adha is the key to a successful marketing campaign. To be successful, marketers must use a culturally sensitive and respectful approach in their messaging. Since Eid Al Adha is a holiday that commemorates sacrifice and obedience to religion, it is very emotionally and spiritually charged for Muslims. Therefore, it is especially important to be respectful and in line with customs and beliefs.
It is also important to note that there are two Eids. Eid Al Adha is not to be confused with Eid Al Fitr, the day that signifies the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. This Eid is called the "greater" of the two Eids, meaning it is more important and sacred to Muslims.
If you want to get a head start on your plans for Ramadan next year, you can read more about how to prepare for it here.
Digital Marketing Strategies for Eid Al Adha
Harness the power of digital channels to maximize your Eid Al Adha marketing efforts.
Social media marketing is a must, with platforms like Instagram and Facebook being popular in the MENA region. Tailor your social media posts to incorporate elements of the festival, such as the hajj pilgrimage and the traditional greetings of “Eid Mubarak”. Email marketing can also be a powerful tool – send personalized greetings and special Eid Al Adha 2023 offers. Don’t forget about content marketing through blogs and SEO, to ensure your campaigns are easily discoverable.
Want to make your website shine this Eid? GoDaddy’s professional email and marketing tools will empower you to connect with your audience in a meaningful way.
According to the GoDaddy survey, 82% of small businesses in the United Arab Emirates, 74% in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and 67% in Egypt are optimistic about their business sector growing in 2023. This optimism could translate into increased marketing efforts and spending during significant events like Eid Al Adha.
Greetings and messages to use for your marketing campaign during Eid Al Adha
Greetings Campaign
Greetings are a large part of Muslim culture, even though they may show that you are respecting the holy holiday, it could be beneficial to use a personal greeting when addressing your target audience. Here are several examples of phrases you could use:
Eid Adha Mubarak
Eid Mubarak technically means “blessed festival” and is used not just during Eid Al Adha but during other Muslim Holidays as well. Eid Mubarak is also used throughout advertising efforts and seems to be more of a generic message such as saying “Seasons Greetings” over Christmas time.
Eid Saeed
This is like Eid Mubarak, it means “Have a happy Eid.”
Remember that:
Understanding your client’s behavior and mindset is very important for you to know how to run a campaign to best represent your brand.
Related: A beginner’s guide to branding your business
Eid Al Adha Marketing Mistakes to Avoid
When marketing for Eid Al Adha, it's essential to avoid cultural insensitivity. Using incorrect Arabic terms or misrepresenting traditions could cause offense. Ensure that the content reflects the true spirit of Eid Al Adha. Another mistake is focusing solely on sales without connecting with the emotional aspects of the festival, such as the significance of sacrifice and the importance of family and Allah in the celebration.
Your products during Eid Al Adha
The increased rate of consumerism surrounding this holiday means a noticeable increase in the amount of goods and amenities that are bought. With that, there are a few product categories that tend to perform the best during this season like:
Food
Since a large part of Eid Al Adha is spending time with family members, food is an important part of the celebration. Recently, the fast-food industry has benefited during Eid Season as families move from elaborate, traditional meals to quickly prepared meals. The ability to feed many people quickly means they can spend more time with family and less time in the kitchen. As a result, the Middle East has recently seen a boom in fast food chains opening everything from local to foreign companies. However, the art of traditional meals has not disappeared, and many families still spend billions of dollars at grocery stores to make sure they have food to feed all their guests.
Clothes
It is customary for Muslim men, women, and children to put on their best clothes when performing Eid prayers and when visiting. All over Middle East clothing continues to make up a large part of Eid spending, with Middle Eastern designers placing many of their best sales during the holiday season. Although many of these stores are in physical locations, many online retailers also participate in Eid sales.
Travel
Many Muslims choose to return to their birthplaces during this time, this means buying expensive tickets back to their extended families. But many other Muslims spend this long holiday weekend abroad in Europe or Asia to celebrate Eid.
If you are in the aviation, tourism, or hospitality industry, you might think about offering special incentives or deals for the Eid Al Adha period.
Best times to Market during Eid Al Adha
The period leading up to Eid Al Adha is the best time to market. As people are finalizing their travels and preparing to buy goods for their family members, the few weeks leading up to the holiday is the most lucrative time.
However, you can also choose to market during the holiday period as well, as many are caught up in the spirit of the holiday and choose to make more purchases.
The Future of Eid Al Adha Marketing
Eid Al Adha marketing is evolving with technology. In the future, we might see increasing use of AI to personalize marketing messages and AR to create immersive shopping experiences. Additionally, as consumers in the MENA region become more tech-savvy, businesses will have to keep pace with the latest digital trends to stay relevant.
Ready to prepare your business for the future of Eid Al Adha Marketing? Get started with the GoDaddy e-store!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Eid Al Adha presents a significant opportunity for businesses to connect with their audience in a meaningful and culturally respectful way. As we've explored in this comprehensive guide, understanding the cultural significance of this holiday, using appropriate symbols and greetings, and leveraging the power of digital marketing are all crucial elements of a successful Eid Al Adha marketing strategy.
We've also delved into the importance of learning from successful case studies and avoiding common marketing mistakes. As the landscape of consumer behavior continues to evolve, staying abreast of the latest trends in Eid Al Adha marketing becomes even more essential.
As we look to the future, the role of digital marketing, personalization, and AI in Eid Al Adha marketing is set to grow. Businesses that can adapt to these changes and continue to respect and honor the cultural significance of Eid Al Adha will be well-positioned to succeed.
Remember, the key to successful marketing during Eid Al Adha, as with any other time, is to understand your audience, respect their traditions, and provide genuine value. We hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you achieve marketing success during Eid Al Adha. Eid Mubarak!
