August is here, and while most of us are still in Summer and vacation mode – when it comes to marketing your business, you should already be thinking about Fall! If you have not started already, don’t fret! We are here today to give you a few ideas to help get you started.
This is the perfect time of year to get creative around your sales. And, it is a great way to get folks excited about your product or services. Remember, Christmas is around the corner. Get your brand out there today and keep the momentum going throughout the two seasons!
Back to school
Back to school promos typically run best between the end of July and Early September. Here in Los Angeles, kids have already gone back to school in early August. However, there are still many back to school promotions taking place (keep in mind that some districts or cities do have a later start). You may still have time to take advantage of the back to school promos at least thru September!
First Day of Fall
This year, the first day of Fall lands on Saturday, September 22, so you still have time! Try to think of a few fun “Autumn Equinox” sales and themes – like falling into savings, leaves changing, seasons turning, etc.
Halloween
Look around and you will notice that even though we are still in the mid-summer season, stores are placing their swim goggles and floaties on clearance and are now posting up witches and bat items in their place. Some good promo ideas: scary-good savings, super sweet sales, and a myriad of manipulations of words with ‘boo’ sounds in them.
Also – this is a great time to have customers enter into a costume contest you are running (with a fun prize for the winner). Even better – ask your customers to highlight your product, snap a photo and upload it with a special hashtag to Instagram (let them know you may use the photo in your own account later). Then, pick your winner and announce it on social! Again, offer a cool prize like some free product or a gift card. This will get people interested in your contest as well as talking about your product and sharing your brand!
Don’t forget to participate in local business/community Halloween events (including passing out candy)!
Thanksgiving/Black Friday
The season of “THANKS”. Use this time to think of ways to thank your customers (old and new). This is a great time to have a “Customer Appreciation Sale”.
Also, don’t forget to give a few sneak peeks of your Black Friday deals as well (and Cyber Monday). These days are the HOTTEST days for deals. Promote them as much as possible and keep people intrigued and excited!
Small Business Saturday
Are you a small business? Right in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Small Business Saturday. If you have a small business – THIS is the best day for you to continue Black Friday sales and pricing… just in case customers were too overwhelmed with the big box stores the day before. Don’t forget to promote this day as well (separate from Black Friday / Thanksgiving) and use hashtags like #ShopSmall or #SmallBusinessSaturday
24 Hour Sales
Now that people are scurrying to get all their shopping done for Christmas – this is a great time to hold one, or a few, 24-hour sales. Send out a newsletter and let your customers know the exact day and hours your 24-hour sale will be running. Make it enticing. If there is a favorite Item you sell that you can include in that sale – tease it in the emails. Having a few different 24-hour sales (back to back) is also great. This will keep your fans on your website, checking it daily to see if their favorite must-have item has been discounted. PLUS – even if their item is not on sale that particular day – they may see another item they had their eye on and make the purchase. These types of sales will many times have the same customer making multiple buys.
Viewing Parties (Fall TV Lineup)
Fall TV lineup starts in October. What a great time to host a viewing party event in your storefront, restaurant, parking lot (a projector and screen would make that fun), office, studio or a rented location. If you have any items you sell that coincide with the show or theme – offer them at sale price. Make it fun with themed snacks, drinks, and games!
Are you ready?
Fall is an exciting time of year for everyone (kids and adults). It is full of fun events like Halloween and exciting and anticipated sales days (like Black Friday). Make sure you are clear on your sales plan so you do not miss out on any of them. Sales can sometimes slow down after Christmas – so take advantage of the upcoming momentum starting now!
Most importantly, if you are an online retailer you need to make sure that your website is ready for higher traffic and sales. If you need to update your website, you can give us a call.
What is your favorite Fall Holiday or Sales Event? Let us know in the comments below!