Holidays are some of the best excuses to get a little PR and marketing out. If you remember, “Holidays” were #20 on my list of 24 Reasons to Toot Your Own Horn post. Real or otherwise, there’s something to be said about riding on an event that’s on everyone’s mind.
Here are some ways you can incorporate holidays into your marketing and PR.
Press Releases. Use a holiday to play up an event, such as International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Maybe your staff will be dressed like pirates while you hold a “Get Yer Booty Half Price” sale. Or you could put out a release about your diet program, paralleling the amount of food Americans (over)eat at Thanksgiving. Research adds an element of believability, so look to incorporate statistics about the holiday.
Newsletters. Add fun holiday elements to your monthly newsletters, such as a “Did You Know?” section or holiday images. When people are happy (the way they are when holidays and days off from work come around), they’re more likely to shop!
Sales. I gave you some sales ideas above, but get creative and decorate your store for the holiday. Or make up a holiday that serves your purpose, such as Eat Two Cones Day, where you can incorporate your sale into the holiday.
Direct Mail. I like to send Egg customers birthday gifts for Egg’s birthday. It’s fun, festive and memorable. You could send a birthday or holiday card to your contacts, or even flowers or candies to your better clients.
No matter what you do, adding holidays to your marketing mix is fun. It shows your customers that you don’t take yourself too seriously, and you will stand out in their minds as a result!
-Susan
