The word "most" (e.g., "most downloaded," "most viewed") is highly effective at year-end because it leverages social proof. People inherently want to know what others find valuable. This framing exponentially increases consumption, regardless of the actual audience size.
Related Insights
At year-end, package content using superlatives like 'most downloaded' or 'most viewed.' This strategy leverages social proof, as consumers inherently trust what's popular with others. It works regardless of your audience size and taps into the 'catch-up' mentality prevalent during this season.
People are more receptive and in a giving spirit during the holidays. This leads to a 500% higher submission rate for testimonial requests in December compared to any other month, creating a prime opportunity to gather valuable social proof for the year ahead.
From November to January, audiences are highly receptive to calendar-based content for future planning. This format outperforms other lead magnets by up to 300%. Marketers can create industry event calendars, wellness planners, or impact timelines to capture high-intent leads during this key period.
Move beyond generic discounts by framing offers around the customer's immediate, often unspoken, intent. For example, a "last minute hero finder" speaks directly to the urgency of holiday shopping, while a "donation impact calculator" targets the specific motivations of year-end charitable giving, making the offer more compelling.
At the end of the year, audiences are psychologically primed for reflection and catching up on what they missed, similar to the appeal of Spotify Wrapped. Marketers should lean into this by providing "best of" roundups that help consumers feel informed, connected, and up-to-date.
While charts rank podcasts by overall downloads, the "most shared" list highlights content that inspires active listener evangelism. This suggests a different, potentially more valuable, form of audience connection that top-level rankings may obscure, offering a key insight for content creators.
A subtle language shift from "we helped companies like you" to "we've been selected by companies like you" frames your solution as the winner in a competitive evaluation. It implies other smart buyers chose you over alternatives, building powerful confidence and social proof.
In December, audiences are naturally reflective about the past year and looking ahead to the next. Running polls on social media related to year-end achievements or goals can generate 250% higher engagement than standard posts, sparking conversation and providing valuable audience insights.
The end of the year creates a specific consumer mindset focused on reflection and catching up, popularized by Spotify Wrapped. Brands can capitalize on this by creating their own 'best of' content, meeting a pre-existing audience expectation and leveraging a cultural moment for higher engagement.
Capitalize on the cultural moment of Spotify Wrapped by creating a personalized, year-in-review summary for customers. This tactic, when timed correctly, significantly boosts engagement by demonstrating the value users derived from your product or service throughout the year.
