Adding some clean fun to your promotional activities
What a better day than the Friday of a three day weekend to discuss fun and/or lighthearted ways to keep your name in front of your customers, prospects and industry allies. Keeping in mind that any type of humor first of all must be appropriate for your small business’ industry or line of work, the use of it may make your promotional efforts striking and less forgettable.
Some specific uses include direct marketing materials to create interest and response dependent upon a person’s stage within the sales cycle; personal notes or postcards for those whom you know personally and want to recognize such as veterans, nurses or teachers; or events to offer interaction such as customer appreciation day or week. Two other ideas may be a sales promotion tied to a special product or service, such as Bicycle Safety Day, or the desire to tell your target audience about your selection of a local charity. As mentioned in prior articles, creating and using a contact or customer database is essential for your marketing activities.
I’ve included a few ideas for each month and applicable businesses or professions for these events. If I didn’t mention your industry, sources for other holidays and celebrations are listed at the end. To my knowledge, some of these dates change from year to year.
January
Jan. 13 – Make Your Dreams Come True Day, financial planner, insurance agency or interior designer
Jan. 23 – National Handwriting Day, stationery retailer
February
Feb. 13 – Bicycle Safety Day, bicycle store
Feb. 17 – Random Acts of Kindness Day, non-profit
Feb. 21 – Love Your Pet Day, pet store or veterinarian
Feb. 25 – Quiet Day, bookstore
March
Mar. 3 – Employee Appreciation Day, any business
Mar. 8 – International Women’s Day, any business catering to women
Mar. 27 – Photography Day, camera store or photographer
Mar. 30 – Doctor’s Day, physicians
April
Apr 5 – Read a Road Map Day, travel agency or tour operator
Apr. 7 – World Health Day, businesses in the health care profession
Apr. 22 – Earth Day, businesses in the landscape industry
May
May 6 – Nurses Day, health care industry
May 10 – Peace Day, non-profits
May 15 – International Day of Families, water park
May 31 – National Save Your Hearing Day, ear specialist
June
June 1 – International Children’s Day, day care business
June 5 – World Environment Day, organic landscaping business or retailers accepting trade-ins
June 23 – birth date of Johannes Gutenberg, 1400, printing business
July
July 2 – halfway point of the year, accountants and bookkeepers
July 30 – Comedy Day, comedy club
August
Friendship Day - first Sunday of August every year, greeting card store
Aug. 9 – International Art Appreciation Day, art gallery
Aug. 13 – International Left-Handers Day, for someone your personally know
Aug. 22 – Tooth Fairy Day, pediatric dentist
September
Sept. 17 – Constitution Day, attorneys
Sept. 20 – International Student Day, educational consultants or tutors
October
Oct. 9 – World Post Day, postal / mailing centers
Oct. 20 – National Fruit Day, health food store
Oct. 27 – Make a Difference Day, non-profits
November
Nov. 11 – Veteran’s Day, thank customers who are veterans
Nov. 15 –America Recycles Day, business offering recycling of printer cartridges
December
Dec. 4 – National Cookie Day, bakery
Dec. 5 – International Volunteer Day, thank customers who you know are active community volunteers
Dec. 15 – Game of Basketball invented in 1891, sporting goods store
Dec. 17 – Orville and Wilbur Wright made first successful flight in 1903, travel agency
Sources: www.enchantedlearning.com/activitycalendars and Linda Bean, owner of Be In Touch, www.beintouchday.com
As you can see, there are numerous events and methods to consider based on your industry, personality and budget. The good news is with a little planning and creativity a method can be tailored to fit your situation.