Honoring dad is a big deal — and big business. In fact, this year Americans are expected to spend $15.3 billion on Father’s Day, according to the National Retail Foundation. You may have run promotions for Father’s Day last year, so why not freshen up your marketing strategy with some fun, new ideas to celebrate all the dads out there.
Create a gift guide for all kinds of dads.
Stereotypical Father’s Day gift ideas assume that all dads wear ties to work, play golf, watch sports, and love grilling. This isn’t a very inclusive idea of dads, so broaden your definition to offer gift ideas that appeal to a wider group of men, like those who are into music, coffee, literature, yoga, art, and more. And make sure that you present the gift guide in a way that is appealing to their partners and kids, who of course are the ones who actually buy these gifts.
Give dads a day of de-stressing.
Most dads don’t have a spa day when they’re trying to relax, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t appreciate one. If you run a salon or spa, create special Father’s Day packages with options like a hot shave, haircut, massage, “man”-icure, and pedicure. Treating dads to an experience — especially one that they wouldn’t have bought themselves — makes them feel pampered and appreciated.
Recognize new dads.
Perhaps the most special Father’s Day is a man’s first, so invite your social media followers to share the photos and videos of when their partners found out they were going to become dads, like in this commercial. Post your favorites on social media in the week leading up to Father’s Day (and just try not to tear up).
Celebrate dad jokes.
Highlight the corny, eyeroll-inducing humor that men embrace when they become fathers with a contest. Invite your Facebook and Twitter followers to post their best (or worst) examples of jokes made by the fathers in their lives and add a designated hashtag.
Highlight their good advice.
Finding answers to life questions online isn’t always as effective as asking dad, as evidenced in this ad. Ask your followers to share the best life advice their fathers have given them, and then create shareable, pinnable graphics with these words of wisdom and post them on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest leading up to Father’s Day.
Thank all kinds of fathers.
Of course, biological dads aren’t the only men who raise, love, and support kids, but traditional Father’s Day cards don’t always recognize these special people. Commission an artist to create e-cards that honor influential men in a person’s life, like grandfathers, stepdads, uncles, and close friends who have been like fathers. Post a link to these cards and invite your customers and social media followers to send them to their father figures.
