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The summer sure has gone by fast (where did all the long, lazy days go?). Labor Day is now less than a week away.
The holiday was designed to give workers the day off, but if you’re a small business, this could be one of the best times to keep your doors open. As folks celebrate the season’s last hurrah at backyard barbecues and county fairs, you can benefit by creating opportunities for potential customers. Here are some holiday marketing ideas to keep your business top-of-mind.
1. Sales, sales, and more sales
Long weekends are perfect for shopping, and people have come to expect deals around holiday weekends. Offer them and stand to reap the benefits. Email customers in the weeks leading up to the holiday to let them know what kinds of sales to expect. This is easy to do with Square’s email marketing software, which has a ready-to-go template for promotions.
2. Take advantage of seasonal change
Labor Day has come to signify one of the best bargain shopping days of the year. It’s about time to clear your shelves of summer merchandise anyway, so why not offer unbeatable discounts on these items? You’ll delight customers while making room for the fall stock to come. Two birds, one stone. Here are some creative ways to clear out your summer merchandise.
3. Get out there
Be present and make yourself known. Look for ways to participate in street festivals and block parties, where you’re guaranteed an audience of folks who are likely looking to spend. These types of events are great touch points for customer engagement. You might also consider doing a pop-up shop for the holiday.
Be sure to promote your presence with an email announcement and follow up with reminders on your social media channels.
4. Offer giveaways, raffles, or contests
This is a great hook to use in combination with a booth or stall at a local event. A fun giveaway will add to the spirit of the holiday and is a surefire way to grab people’s attention. Have them put their business cards in a jar for the chance to win something cool, or offer up small treats (like stickers or candy) to passersby.
5. Send the right message
The key to keeping your business top of mind over a long weekend is to market early and often. Sending a few enticing reminders leading up to Labor Day is the kind of pre-holiday email strategy that will have customers making mental notes to visit your store or shop your online sale. Use subject lines that get right to the point (40 percent off; buy one, get one free). Square’s email marketing tool for small businesses makes it easy by allowing you to segment lists into types of customers (loyal, casual, or lapsed) who will be most receptive to your messaging.
6. Invite friends and family
Labor Day is a time when friends and family come together, and for you, the more the merrier. Welcome them all to your business and then offer up creative “buddy” opportunities. Set up a lounge outside the dressing rooms for men, arrange a play area with fun toys for kids, and encourage sales with deals for partner shoppers (if mother and daughter buy the same sandals, they both get 20 percent off).
7. Make sales time sensitive
Limited-time sales mean big-time purchases. It’s all about creating a sense of urgency. How often have you been tempted by one-day-only deals? This smart marketing tactic works especially well for larger ticket items that people may otherwise be more hesitant to splurge on.
No matter which tactics you choose, Labor Day is a great opportunity to get customers excited about your business. Happy selling. (And pat on the back for working so hard to gear up for the holiday weekend.)
