The unofficial start of summer is just a few short weeks away, which means it’s time to break out the flip-flops, sunscreen (yes, you have to wear it!) and pool toys. It also means that now is the time to start thinking about your summer marketing strategy. Whether you’re looking for a way to celebrate Memorial Day with your customers or boost business from June to August, these are some of our favorite marketing and promotional ideas for the dog days of summer.
1. Show Your Patriotism
Memorial Day honors the men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. If you don’t already offer one, implement a military discount at your small business. Post a short message on your blog and social media accounts thanking our military members for their service. Ask your followers to share their own stories, pictures and messages for their friends and loved ones. Customers, regardless of whether they’ve served, will appreciate the demonstration of gratitude.
2. Leverage the Weather
When the sun finally comes out to play, a lot of your small business’ customers will likely be spending more time outside. So why not give them a reason to stay there?
If your small business is a retail shop, a sidewalk sale is a great way to get people to browse your wares. You can make it a more festive occasion with balloons for the kids, cool drinks to stave off the heat and contests to keep customers present and engaged.
Own a restaurant? Get some outdoor seating if space permits. Even just a couple of tables and a few chairs can be enough to lure a few extra people in…and then out!
In the services business? Host an ice cream social. Invite your existing customers, as well as those people and organizations that you’d like to work with. If you want to take it one step further, make it a happy hour ice cream social and offer guests adult beverages to go with their scoops!
3. Take Your Business on the Road
Summer is filled with community events, from county fairs to music festivals and beyond. Get in on the opportunity (and the fun!) by taking your best summer-selling products or services along for the ride.
Set up a booth at your local Saturday market, hometown parade, chamber of commerce event or carnival and get to know your community face to face. Be sure to let your social media followers know where you’ll be and offer them a code word to score a discount or giveaway.
Whether you need more summer promotion ideas or help implementing the brilliant ones you’ve come up with, Mischa Communications can help!