Many holidays celebrate the end of a season and usher in a new one. Now that Labor Day has passed, we’ve approached that time of year where we reflect back on summer and prepare for fall. While they’re a great time for reflection, they’re also a great time for sales.
Since so many people have holidays off, smart business owners understand that the right marketing ideas and preparation can bring success year-round. If you own a business, it’s your time to shine during these days that millions of people have off. Did you know that on Labor Day alone, half of Americans make purchases and spend an average of almost $60?
Holidays are the perfect opportunity for you to gain new customers and reward your loyal ones. So how can you stand out among all the other businesses that are having sales? Here are a few marketing ideas for holiday promotions that you can use to grow your business—no matter what time of year it is.
Embrace Seasonal Themes
During Labor Day, for example, you have two choices: celebrate the end of summer or focus on the arrival of fall. Although it might seem early, Labor Day is often the time that companies introduce pumpkin spice, Halloween decorations, and other products that have seasonal themes or flavors. For people who love the new season, they’ve been waiting for this all year.
Use the holiday to introduce your new line-up: different apparel, a season-inspired cocktail, or seasonal menus. There are a lot of themes around the changing of the seasons. Inject this into your marketing ideas and bring out a celebratory feel, rather than having a sale that could happen at any time of the year. Or, give the old season one last hurrah with discounts that give customers one last taste like a “last call” special.
Host an Event or a Sidewalk Sale
As you kick off spring or celebrate the end of summer, take advantage of the fact that many people are excited to get out as soon as possible or are trying to go out while they still can. You can host an event for the community or make a clearance sale where you put items out on the sidewalk for customers to browse. Hire balloon artists or musicians, or have a competition like a water balloon fight or fun run. Local food trucks are another excellent way to incorporate the community and get customers to stop by. Both you and the artists or food truck workers will be promoting the event on social media, so you’ll get a boost in numbers.
Joint promotions are a great way for local businesses to lean on each other and tap into sales. A lot of your business neighbors will likely be looking for ways to cash in on the holidays, too—so join forces for a win-win situation. You can collaborate on a “savings passport,” where customers get stickers or stamps at each business. When they collect everything, they can receive either discounts, coupons, or entries into a prize drawing. When the holidays come up, check in with nearby businesses to see what they’re doing and if you can work together to generate sales.
Bring Your Sales Online
Both ideas above are excellent ways to get a boost during every holiday year-round—and you can implement them online as well. Last year, Americans took their business online and spent an astounding $2 billion on Labor Day. If you’re not marketing promotions—whether they’re seasonal, last calls, or incorporate an event—on your website and social media, you’re missing out on a great opportunity. Promote your specials as the holidays approach and play up the strengths of multiple platforms online. Share enticing photos on Pinterest, and use Facebook Live to broadcast your preparation or event. Social media offers a wide variety of opportunities to run ads and reach an audience, so highlight your sale as much as you can.
Although holidays bring time off and relaxation to a lot of people, if you own a business, don’t sit back and take the day off. Or simply hope that customers will come to you over the long weekend. Take advantage to promote your business, work with neighboring companies, and use social media to get shoppers through your doors as much as possible as the seasons change.
For some more great tips on how to keep your business humming during the slow season, check out this previous post.
Written by Laura Myers