Q2 Marketing: Spring is Just Around the Corner
With a chill wind blowing and snowflakes filling the air, thoughts of warm spring may seem like a distant dream on the horizon. Even though winter may be seem like a frozen eternity, it’s never too early to start planning your marketing for Q2. What are your goals for spring, and how will you reach them?
The marketing calendar may look a little bare at first glance, what with Christmas and the other winter holidays receding in the rear-view mirror, but the spring and early summer months have plenty to offer.
In April, there’s Easter, Thomas Jefferson's birthday and April Fool's Day for starters. Throw in Tax Day, Earth Day, Administrative Professionals Day, and Car Care Month, too.
May boasts the Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. It’s also Clean Air Month, Family Wellness Month and Home Schooling Awareness Month. May can also lay claim to National Hamburger month, which might make for some tasty marketing.
June has plenty of events too, including Father’s Day and Family History Day. The weather has started to turn in many places around the world, so June has plenty of local outdoor events like weddings and school graduations.
As you can see, there are plenty of potential events to fill even the most modest marketing calendar. How do you take advantage of them? Here's a list to help you brainstorm for ideas that may be right for you and your business:
- Cross promotion. Exchange fliers with noncompetitive businesses to display; co-sponsor an event with another business.
- Offer “early bird” events so your best customers can get sneak peeks at new merchandise.
- Contact local schools or other groups about speaking or teaching a class.
- Get together with local businesses and produce a coupon packet for new graduates or new families in town.
- Sponsor local teams and events.
- Participate in your community's spring fairs or sidewalk sales.
- Add a member-only area to your website.
- Get testimonials from your customers and add to your website and literature.
- Host an open house or throw an after-hours party.
- Send out newsletters to your customers.
- Submit a “how-to” article to your local newspaper.
- Donate your product or service to a local charity auction.
- Join an association or organization related to your profession.
- Appear on a local radio show.
- Create fun giveaways and contest promotions on social media that your customers will share.
- Offer a tour of your business to local schools and scouting troops.
Spring is just around the corner. These are not just words to get through a gloomy winter’s day. They’re a marketing opportunity waiting to happen. What will your Q2 marketing calendar look like?