As summer rolls on, smart small business owners are already thinking ahead to the back-to-school rush. This annual shopping spree is a prime opportunity to boost your revenue, attract new customers, and engage with your community. It’s not too late to plan and kick off your back-to-school sale!
Make the decision right now to dedicate time during these summer months to strategic planning and preparation. The groundwork you lay now in connecting with and growing your audience will serve you again in just a few months when it’s time to launch holiday promotions.
Why Back-to-School Sales Matter
Back-to-school shopping is more than just pencils and notebooks; it’s a seasonal ritual ingrained in consumer behavior and applies to so much more than school supplies. As the summer heat wanes and the fall briskness begins to fill the air, the energy of consumers shifts as well. This surge in spending presents a significant opportunity for businesses, small and large, to capitalize on increased foot traffic and online activity.
3 Long-Term Benefits of a Back-to-School Sale
A well-executed back-to-school sale offers benefits beyond the immediate revenue boost. Your hard work also results in:
Expand Your Customer Base: You’ll attract new customers who are seeking deals, and this will introduce them to your brand. You can even encourage your existing customers to bring a friend.
Increase Brand Awareness and Engagement: The buzz you’ll generate around your brand will encourage interaction with your brand and products or services through exclusive offers and promotions.
Build Customer Loyalty: Your sale has the potential to convert first-time buyers into loyal customers through excellent service and targeted promotions. And it goes without saying that this is an excellent opportunity to increase loyalty for existing customers as well.
If these benefits resonate with you and you’re ready to plan and prepare your sale now, here is our last blog with 6 steps on how to prepare for your back-to-school sale.
4 Strategies for Back-to-School Success
Early Planning: Don’t wait until the last minute! Begin planning your sale well in advance, determining the dates, duration, discounts, and marketing strategies.
Attractive Discounts: Entice customers with compelling discounts not only on school-related merchandise, such as supplies, clothing, and accessories, but also on ‘gifts for mom.’ Be creative in how you can apply a back-to-school sale to a wide range of products and services. Consider bundle deals and “buy one, get one” offers to attract attention and increase sales.
Themed Marketing: Capture the spirit of the season with engaging marketing materials designed around a back-to-school theme. Visuals resonating with students, parents, and educators, and even those reminiscing about their school days can significantly enhance your campaign’s impact.
Multichannel Promotion: Utilize multiple channels to spread the word about your sale. This can include your website, social media platforms, email newsletters, and digital ads. Also be sure to incorporate print assets such as flyers, mailers, in-store signage, and local advertising.
Partner for Even More Success
Back-to-school sales are a great way to showcase your business, attract new customers, and cultivate loyalty. Consider who you might be able to partner with for cross-promotion. This can be another merchant, a non-profit organization that serves children, or a local business that provides services to families, teachers, or children.
By offering well-branded promotional deals and a positive shopping experience, you create a lasting impression that translates into repeat business throughout the year. And that includes new opportunities that are just around the corner, such as Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday in November, and holiday sales and promotions in December. Are you interested in assistance with your next campaign? With our expertise in business development strategies, website creation, social media management, and marketing, we can help you develop a tailored approach to maximize your back-to-school success. Contact Autumn at Edmiston Group today to discuss your needs.
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 strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.