Is Valentine’s Day too “in your face?”
Today is Valentine’s Day, and in case you thought about miraculously forgetting that the day existed, every pink mylar grocery store display or street corner flower stand is there to remind you. I know that a lot of people (including my former self on multiple occasions) claim to hate Valentine’s Day because it’s a Hallmark created holiday meant to perpetuate consumerism, but call me crazy, I am really digging all things Valentine’s Day this year. Perhaps it’s because I am in love? I have always been somewhat of a romantic, but this year I went all out, even filling a gift basket with my significant other’s favorite protein shakes, bars and workout clothes along with some not-so-bodybuilder-friendly treats (I sure hope he doesn’t read this until after I gift him his goodies, shhh…). While I was prepping his gift of pure awesomeness, I realized that Valentine’s Day is a HUGE movement these days and I can’t ignore the impact that it has on everything I see and do between January 1st and February 14th. Today, I will offer a few ideas for using Valentine’s Day as a learning platform to skyrocket your business or brand’s marketing, public relations or social media efforts all year around.
Marketing Lessons Learned from Valentine’s Day
People respond to holidays; play along with their senses: It may make you sick to walk into a grocery store and be suffocated by pink and red tulle or bombarded with heart shaped balloons, but one thing that is for sure is that the display will get your attention and get you talking in one way or another. Use this mindset to your advantage when creating your campaign content; keep holidays and other special occasions in mind and plan accordingly. Sit down with a calendar and determine how you will cater your campaign to various events. Try making subtle changes to your cover photo on Facebook or background on Twitter, or perhaps create an app surrounding the holidays. The possibilities are endless if you are willing to work with the event rather than compete with it.
People always need gift ideas: Whether you are pitching writers, determining your own social media and marketing strategy or simply creating blog content for your website, this is a great way to incorporate your product or brand while developing some credibility among your followers. Be creative, always. If you are pitching, try and give your product a timely relevance to the upcoming holiday. If you are thinking about social media, try creating updates that have a connection to the holiday and offer your own product as a solution. Consider creating an XYZ holiday gift guide and include your product along with products that would complement it. If you are not a product but a brand, consider offering your own favorites in the gift guide to position yourself as a decision maker in your industry and beyond. Regardless, make it interesting and fun.
Use social media promotions to your benefit: Everyone loves a good deal regardless of what time of the year it is. Consider using your social media pages to draw in new fans and followers by offering special deals to those users as a thank you for supporting your business or brand. Whether it be a giveaway, coupons or special holiday offerings, a good deal will serve as a great stepping stone in creating long term loyal fans and building your online following.
Look, I know that Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone; it is an in your face commercial holiday, but keep in mind that there are many things we can learn from the romanticism that seems to send us into sensory overload. Marketing with holidays and special events in mind will set you apart and put you on a path for success. If you or anyone you know is looking for the quality and creative PR, marketing or social media campaign ideas we talked about today, please call us today! We can’t wait to spread the good news about you.
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Photo Credit: Jacelyn Keys