What happens after the dog days of summer? For many, it’s back to school. Even if you don’t have school or college aged children or grandchildren, you’re still likely impacted. Perhaps you have to leave earlier for work due to the increased traffic or school bus schedules or maybe you personally benefit from one or more of the many back-to-school specials.
While we’re enjoying the benefits of summer now, before we know it, the back-to-school sales will be in full force, and the school buses and children will be on every corner. It’s not too early to start planning. Back-to-school no longer means after Labor Day. College-aged students who are active in sports or music will start heading back to campus as early as the first week of August, and school-aged children will follow just a few weeks after that.
If your products or services are a fit for the college demographic, you should be planning now for promotions that run in late July and into August. Not sure if your products are age appropriate for college students? Keep in mind that many students these days have just about everything except the kitchen sink when moving into their new environment. Laptops, mobile devices, power packs, furnishings, decorations, mini-appliances, clothing, accessories, flash drives, ear buds, iPhones, and more. And don’t forget about last minute eye and dental checkups, hair appointments and maybe even a manicure before going off to their new home. All this on top of the basics such as food, snacks and when in doubt, gift cards.
For the traditional back-to-school promotions for school-aged children, you need to have your plan in place by mid-July. Parents and grandparents alike will be shopping by the first of August for their little angels. We, as Americans, have come to expect great back-to-school specials and promotions. To further enhance your strategic placement amongst all the competition, consider collaborating with other local businesses to create a back-to-school shopping extravaganza! This is especially helpful if you are a small business in a community. Not only will you set yourself apart from the big box stores, but you and the other businesses can share the cost of advertising and share mailing lists. Coordinating with complementary businesses is just smart marketing. You’ll reach more people at a lower cost, and will draw in shoppers who otherwise may not have considered shopping small business.
If you would like to discuss marketing ideas for your back-to-school promotion or learn more about coordinating a community-based back-to-school shopping extravaganza, call the Edmiston Group at 724.612-.0755. We’ll be glad to help you with your promotion or to help you reach out to other businesses and coordinate a community event.
About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh based marketing consulting firm providing senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long term basis. Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business growth.