Valentine’s Day 2021: What Digital Marketers Need to Know This Year

Valentine’s Day 2021: What Digital Marketers Need to Know This Year

by | Dec, 2020 | Content, Native Advertising

Valentine’s Day 2021 may look a little different (surprise!), but love always prevails, doesn’t it? Retail has held steady during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, while the holiday itself has evolved in its own way to be more inclusive and creative. Digital marketers, like this Houston digital marketing agency, should adjust messaging to the times, maximize contextual targeting and optimization, commit to a multi-channel approach, and more. Read the data and recommendations for a successful holiday of love below.

Spending Habits

In 2020, consumers in the US reported an average spend of $196 on Valentine’s Day, an increase of 21% over 2019, according to research from the National Retail Federation (NRF). (eMarketer, February 2020)

  • Age 35-44 had the highest average expected spending in 2020: $358.78
  • Age 65+ had the lowest: $99.14

→ Target and adjust messaging content towards Gen X.

Favorite Gifts

Candy: More than half (52%) of US internet users planned to purchase sweets for Valentine’s Day, ranking above flowers, an evening out or jewelry in 2020. (eMarketer, February 2020) A combined 62% of internet users spent on an experience: evening out, tickets to an event, trip, or spa. A combined 62% of internet users spent on an experience: evening out, tickets to an event, trip, or spa. However, due to coronavirus safety concerns and varying mandates across the country and world, many users had reportedly chucked the idea of going outdoors. Instead, many of them probably preferred to celebrate the day at home by getting a spa-like experience using something like Lazarus Naturals CBD. Yet others had moved to Netflix to have a cosy evening with their loved ones. We also predict that Valentine’s Day gift-givers will steer away from having outdoor fun and instead shift to creative, at-home entertainment and experiences to celebrate like spice up their sex lives with sexy couple games. Offer creative ideas or products to inspire them.

Favorite gifts and spending habits can be tracked so that you can get the edge over your competitors this Valentine’s Day. If you are using SEO strategies then you may benefit from looking at things like this Surfer SEO review, which helps you to review patterns and adjust your strategy before you begin putting it out there, making it more cost-effective and improving success.

Types of Gifts US Internet Users Intended to Purchase in 2020:

  • 52% Candy
  • 43% Greeting Cards
  • 37% Flowers

(NRF via eMarketer, February 2020)

→ Offer creative ideas or products to inspire consumers

Retail as an Indicator for Valentine’s Day 2021

If we gauge retail ecommerce habits as a worthy indicator of how spending will continue into Valentine’s Day, then expect more shoppers to order online this year versus last. Thanks to ecommerce, retail stayed afloat during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic and consumers in turn developed new levels of comfort with online ordering.

Retail Spending Rebounds During COVID:

  • New research by Mastercard shows U.S. ecommerce sales were up 92.7% in May 2020, with more than $53 billion spent via ecommerce channels between April and May-the height of the pandemic. For scale, that’s more spent online than that last 12 Cyber Mondays combined (DigitalCommerce360).
  • Between July and August 2020, total retail sales in the United States rose by 0.6%. During this period, retail sales of clothing and clothing accessory retailers grew by 2.9%, rebounding from consistent and heavy declines in February, March, and April (Statista, September 2020).

→ Consumers are more comfortable ordering online. Make it easier for them & offer incentives.

Digital Ad Spend: Multichannel Approach

Engagement via mobile device continues to grow year after year, and consumers – especially shoppers – are consistently utilizing a multi-channel approach to read, research, engage with brands, and ultimately buy.

Retail Digital Ad Spend by Digital Marketers:

  • eMarketer expects retail to remain the largest spender on digital ads among all verticals. The industry will increase spending by 3.1% to $28.23 billion. (eMarketer, October 2020)
  • Retail ad spending on mobile will surpass $18 billion this year, and desktop/laptop spending will reach nearly $10 billion.
  • Mobile had a 106% higher CTR than Desktop in 1H 2020 on Bidtellect’s platform, so it’s imperative to implement a multi-channel approach (Bidtellect 1H 2020 Native Report)

→ Utilize a multichannel approach and scale across the open web to reach more of your target consumers

Breaking the Valentine’s Day Mold:

Who Needs a Partner? Treat Yourself

55% planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day in some way in 2020. But even those who answered “Not celebrating” did in some way. 35% of 18-25 year olds said their non-traditional Valentine’s Day gift or celebration would be “Treating Yourself.” (NRF, 2020 Valentine’s Day Spending Survey)

Lovers & Friends & Family Count, Too:

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for significant others, spouses, even casual lovers anymore. Parks and Recreation may have dubbed the holiday “Galentine’s Day” to celebrate friendship, but gift-giving seems to span across all relationships, including family and coworkers (Saturday Night Live even wrote a spoof about it). Since 2010, spend on Valentine’s Day gifts for friends has nearly tripled, from $737 million to $2.1 billion (NRF, February 2020). Retailers have adapted with more inclusive products that “allow for casual or non romantic gift giving” (eMarketer, February 2020).

Valentine’s Day Spend on Others in 2020:

  • Significant Other/Spouse: $14.1 billion
  • Other Family Members: $4.2 billion
  • Friends: $2.1 billion

(NRF, 2020 Valentine’s Day Spending Survey)

Don’t Forget One’s Most Loyal Companion: Your Furry Friend

Don’t forget your furry friends! Valentine’s Day spending on that very special pet in your life has also increased. In 2020, 27% of those celebrating Valentine’s Day said they’d buy gifts for their pets, up from 17% in 2010 (NRF, February 2020). Spend on pet gifts has grown exponentially, from just $450 million in 2010 to more than $1.7 billion a decade later (NRF, February 2020).

The trend is not just being driven by younger consumers like millennials and Gen Zers; spending on gifts for pets has grown among all shoppers under the age of 55.

→ Valentine’s Day now means a day to show appreciation to people and pets that you love – including yourself. Cater messaging to this broader definition and don’t limit spend or targeting.

We hope this data on Valentine’s Day trends, shopping habits, and digital marketing strategy help you make 2021 your more successful year yet!

PLUS: 6 Steps to Success for Valentine’s Day 2020:

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Bidtellect Charlotte Otremba employee photo

Charlotte Otremba ​is the Sr. Manager of Marketing and Communications at Bidtellect.

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5 Tips to Manage Stress and Avoid Burnout

5 Tips to Manage Stress and Avoid Burnout

by | Nov, 2020 | Content, Native Advertising

We’re all adjusting to the new normal: working from home, helping the kids with school, and handling the challenges of everday life while change is constant. Here are five tips to manage stress and avoid burnout.

Tip 1: Be grateful for the things you already have and constantly remind yourself how lucky you are.

Every night, before going to sleep, I mentally list three things I am grateful for today. For example, I am grateful that I have a job that I love (we know that many people lost their jobs or cannot continue working due to the health crisis); my kids continue going to school and learn new things (YAY!), and they can still do most of their after-school activities and sports; all of my family members are alive and healthy.

Tip 2: When you feel overwhelmed, take a step back and reset your priorities.

Working in a fast paced startup company, we all have an unending list of tasks to complete at work. Then add to the list all the everyday household chores like cleaning, cooking, picking up and dropping off kids, etc. I try to keep a TO-DO list handy and take advantage of services that make my life easier. I am very grateful for grocery delivery services that save me time and a trip to the store. Our grocery list doesn’t change that much from time to time, so reordering go-to items is super easy. I keep quick, 15-minute meal recipes on hand for easy lunches or dinners when time is short.

Taking a quick moment to write out a list and prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency works wonders to clear the mind, streamline your approach, and determine what actually deserves your focus at that moment. Also, if your life is under distress because of dissatisfaction in your professional life, give it a proper focus. You can also consider looking for a job change where you can manage your priorities better without it affecting your work or personal life. And if it feels overwhelming, I’ve learned to ask for help. People are usually kind and willing to help.

Otherwise, if it’s a job-related issue, for instance, searching for a new job or exploring better opportunities, look for additional resources such as Web 3 jobs, especially if you have a special interest in cryptocurrency or blockchain. Life is too short to live a life that doesn’t make you happy, be it on a personal or professional end. So, build yourself a satisfying life with a job that you love and people that you love.

Tip 3: Take care of yourself – mentally and physically.

Throughout quarantine, I tried (and continue to try) to stay active: go for walks around the neighborhood one or two times a day, ride my bicycle, take online yoga classes. Prolonged inactivity can cause mood swifts and low energy. Stressful lifestyle changes can even cause ED in men. Of course, you can remedy it by consulting a doctor who might prescribe sildenafil. However, for overall wellness goals, it is better to follow a routine physical activity.

And at night, having a sound sleep can be helpful in managing stress and other physical and mental tensions. Having a proper bedding, in which you can fall back and take a lengthy sleep without much tossing and turning is what you would ideally need. In case you have a bedding that is worn out, and is not aiding to your quality sleep, it’s probably time to change it. You can take a look at The ultimate guide to John Lewis mattresses or any other such guides and find a mattress that fits your needs. It’s best for you to not compromise on your bedding and sleep quality.

Furthermore, finding some quiet time for yourself is important too. In the morning before work and just after the kids leave for school, I enjoy drinking my coffee and catching up the news or scrolling through Facebook. Every weekend, at least once, I try to go to the beach with my family. I love the ocean; we have a special bond. It helps me to recharge my batteries. Before bed, I like to read a book to relax. Lately, I’ve enjoyed the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, which are filled with inspiring short stories. Well, all these work for me. If you are someone who always wanted to try some cannabis or shroom chocolate, try them! Because destressing doesn’t have to be always about the conventional means.

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Tip 4: Try to keep up with social interactions. They’re super important.

Since we stopped going out during the pandemic, I got a chance to really bond with some of my neighbors. We enjoy having drinks outside on the weekends (while keeping our distance), and share news and even plan future events (“when everything goes back to normal”).

I also enjoy virtual zoom happy hours with my wonderful colleagues or my friends out of town. Those are always fun! And a great way to manage stress 😉

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Tip 5: Get a good night’s sleep, cut back on screen time, and make time for your hobbies.

Sleeping can be hard at the moment with there being so much to worry about. Try to find the time to do the things that make you happy. In my free time, I am always trying to find time for my hobbies or trying to learn something new. Lately, I enjoy painting and baking. Luckily there are lots of Youtube videos and tutorials for both. I also enjoy reading books and playing tennis. I have a friend who loves to play poker online in her spare time on websites like https://casinomartini.com/nz/new-online-casinos/, she doesn’t find it stressful as she only puts a little bit in, she gets excited when she wins, and any money she does get she puts it towards something she really wants. It all depends on who the person is and what they love doing!

These are my 5 tips for managing stress and preventing burn-out. Being a working parent is hard. We are all trying to do our best at work and at home. But .. we are not perfect and it’s totally fine. Enjoy the little things in life because those are the most important.

Want more need-to-know info? Subscribe to our monthly Bidtellectual newsletter!


Yulia Khudzik ​is the Quality Lead at Bidtellect.

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5 Easy Self Care Tips to Lift Your Mood Today

5 Easy Self Care Tips to Lift Your Mood Today

by | Jun, 2020 | Content, Native Advertising

With all the stress of the daily world today, most everyone is feeling out of sorts (to put it mildly). But like anything else, to lift your mood, it takes action and practice. It is a habit. Practicing self-care with these easy steps will lift your mood and make you feel better sooner, so you can be happier and more productive.

1. Go For a Walk

When a problem seems impossible to solve, the workload seems never-ending, or a sour mood impossible to lift, it can feel that the last thing to do would be to get up and go for a walk. In fact, it’s exactly the thing todo.

According to Harvard Medical, even a simple 20-minute stroll can clear the mind and reduce stress. Call it “muscular meditation.” When your body is busy, your mind will be distracted from the worries of daily life and will be free to think creatively. It frees the mind and unleashes ideas. As Friedrich Nietzsche said: “It is only ideas gained from walking that have any worth.” Henry David Thoreau, another avid walker, claimed, “the moment my legs begin to move my thoughts begin to ow.”

Try a walk in your neighborhood or drive to a different one to mix it up –maybe near water or nature.

2. Grooming: Look Great, Feel Great

With so much of our normal routines shaken up, one thing we can control is keeping up our own level of personal hygiene, grooming habits, and looking great to feel great.

Experts say that maintaining a daily routine of hygiene and self-care habits may be key to staving o depression. One need only to look in the mirror after getting a haircut or trying a new lipstick to know that just a small act of grooming can make you smile!

According to Amanda Allen, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in New York. “It might seem trivial, but it’s actually an effective foundation to develop structure when it’s needed most.”

3. Get Lost in a Book

Shut down your computer, put your phone in the other room, turn off the news. Now pick up a book and get lost in it. It’s the ultimate form of self-care.

In a study by the University of Sussex in the UK, reading for just six minutes was found to decrease stress levels by 68%. According to Dr. David Lewis, who conducted the study, “Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation. This is particularly poignant in uncertain economic times when we are all craving a certain amount of escapism.”

“It really doesn’t matter what book you read, by losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author’s imagination.”

And according to a report from The Reading Agency, benefits of reading for pleasure include increased empathy, better relationships, reduced symptoms of depression, and improved well-being throughout life.

So whenever your mood is down, pick up a new book. It can provide solace, comfort, and let your imagination run wild.

Check out our recommendations here: Bidtellectuals Share Their Favorite Quarantine Reads

4. Try a CBD Cream

CBD creams for self-care? Why not? The jury is still split as to whether or not cannabis products are true saviors or all talk, but for those who love them, but initial research shows CBD can reduce inflammation and combat anxiety. Of course, there are lots of different types of CBD — you can get CBD vape oil, tintures, flowers, and creams so you usually have to try a few products before you find the one that works best for your ailments. Proponents swear by creams and gels for stress release, muscle relaxation, and overall calming effect. Of course, if you want something stronger, you can always go for weed concentrates like a thc distillate, caviar, or budders. Their affect could be stronger and longer lasting, along with the bonus of having THC in them. All of these can be found in dispensaries in places where cannabis is legal.

So many people have already added things like cbd skin care private label products to their daily skincare regimen for both the aesthetic and wellness benefits they claim to experience upon their application. Apply some to your sore or stiff muscles and let it work their magic. The stronger the concentration, the more likely you’ll feel the effects. This is one of Bidtellectual’s favorite and CannaCraft offers great resources and products, too. Finding the right ratio of THC and CBD, can also help produce a great amount of positive energy into your life, heighten your energy levels and increase your focus and drive to accomplish. You could also consider trying out some of the strongest weed strains that tend to have these energy-boosting effects.

5. Write Down What You Are Grateful For

It’s true. When you’re feeling frustrated or down, take a moment to write down what you are grateful for. Likely you’ll have at least one thing: a roof over your head, or someone who loves you, or food on the table. That more than most. Studies show that gratitude – showing gratitude and daily gratitude practice – increases mental strength, improves relationships, reduces aggression, and enhances empathy.

Practicing gratitude is a skill. Once you force yourself to do it each time you feel negative, or every morning when you wake up, your brain will eventually shift to look for the good and be grateful more often.

According to Ellie Cobb, Ph.D., a holistic psychologist and the director of psychology for Thankful, “Science shows we can train ourselves to experience thankfulness more often simply by paying attention to our lives differently. Attention is like a spotlight in the brain, as whatever we repeatedly bring attention to becomes stronger and brighter over time.”

Bottom line: You have the choice between gratitude and resentment. If you chose resentment, you drive out gratitude. If you choose gratitude you drive out resentment, says Gretchen Rubin, a happiness expert and the author of many books, including “The Happiness Project.”

And when in doubt, wake up like the Stoics and get going.

“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work – as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for – the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?”

–Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.1

We hope these tips for self-care will help lift your mood today, tomorrow, and the next. We may be living in stressful times, but when you can control is how you treat yourself. Be good to you!

Want more need-to-know info? Subscribe to our monthly Bidtellectual newsletter!


Charlotte Otremba is Sr. Manager of Communications and Marketing at Bidtellect.

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