As we inch nearer to summer, the days grow longer, the weather gets balmier, and spirits slowly but surely lift. Summer is the perfect time to play around with fresh, fun approaches to marketing. To get your creative juices flowing, check out some of these ideas:
Get connected.
Grow your social media following and help your customers kick off their summer by hosting a sweepstakes in which people can participate by following you and inviting their friends too. Or, you can encourage some friendly competition by asking people to post photos, awarding prizes to the best submissions. Great ideas for winners include tickets to theme parks, water parks, baseball games, concerts and other events—give your supporters a summer they’ll remember!
Take advantage of what’s going on in your area.
Summer brings limitless opportunities for people to come together and enjoy themselves, from national and local holidays to street fairs, block parties, and festivals. You can capitalize on such events by hosting a booth, handing out flyers or giveaways, or simply showing up as an organization to get some face time with the community you serve.
Make it your own.
In addition to joining up with larger events, you can draw people to you! Host fun events in your area or consider offering unique classes inspired by your business. For example, a florist could offer flower-arranging classes, or a dog groomer could host a craft night where patrons decorate customized food bowls for their pets. Offering these events will allow you to invest in relationships with your valued clients and show them a new side of your business.
Give people what they want, when they want it.
Seize the moment with pop-up marketing based on weather or local events, so that you’re clued in to what is affecting your customer in that moment. You can use email campaigns, social media, street signs, and even chalk to get the word out, or you can use guerilla marketing tactics, such as distributing branded umbrellas outside to people exiting shopping centers on a rainy day. Even if your product isn’t directly connected, you can still find ways to incorporate this concept. For example, Goodbuy Girls does a summer promotion where customers receive $10 off any purchase of $100 or more when the temperature is above 100 degrees.
You don’t have to go it alone.
Erin Geiger Smith from Inc advises, “A partnership with the right company on the right project goes a long way in helping you reach new customers and burnishes your brand identity through association.” If the nature of your business doesn’t lend itself easily to summery fun, consider partnering with other businesses or venues to create seasonal programs, offers, or rewards for your customers. This summer, the sky’s the limit!
If you’re looking for strategic marketing solutions for this summer or beyond, we can help. Creative Spot is a full-service marketing and advertising agency in Columbus, Ohio. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your organization.