Autumn isn’t about the harvest of produce. It’s a season where businesses can harvest some profit as well. Particularly small and medium-sized businesses with the right marketing strategies in place. There are a few ideas that are impactful enough to make a difference for your business this season.
This blog explores ten impactful but often neglected ideas that, when executed properly, can give your business more in-store traffic and sales.
- Local Listings Are Your Digital Doormat
Absolutely the most important thing that many SMBs neglect is their online presence and the business info their customers see online. Fall is pretty much unpredictable even for businesses. Business hours may fluctuate. Sales may go up or down, and the weather may get hostile. That’s why it’s important to check the local listings of your business to see if your business hours, address, website URL and phone number are accurate and up-to-date. According to HubSpot, 72% of potential customers who locally search a business within 5 miles online, visit the business. Accurate listings are like a well-lit path to your business’s front door.
Action Plan:
- Double-check your business hours (hello, earlier sunsets!)
- Update your description with Fall-themed keywords
- Add photos of your space decked out in Autumn glory
- Google Posts Are Your Megaphone
Google Posts are basically the billboards on the internet highway, and they’re free. Use Google posts to tell everyone that you’re Fall ready and you are cooking some exciting things for the season.
Action Plan:
- Announce your Oktoberfest or Daylight Savings specials
- Showcase your new Fall products
- Tease your Halloween extravaganza
- Seasonal Content Are Spices For Your Blog
People read a lot. Give them something Fall-specific about your business to read. Or create videos, posters and infographics that give your customers a taste of everything you’ve planned for Fall.
Ideas:
- Video walkthrough of your Fall-ready store once you decorate the interiors
- Infographics on your Core products and their relevance in the season
- Blog posts on Fall-related topics specific to your industry
- Posters of your Fall deals
- Referral Program To Boost Loyalty
Turn your happy customers into your brand advocates with a Fall-themed referral program that incentivizes them for each referral. This is surprisingly overlooked by many businesses who don’t want to cut their profit margins down by giving what they deem “more” to their customers. A referral program is an investment which, when done right, can increase sales considerably while rewarding existing customers. Customer retention isn’t something to be considered lightly.
Ideas:
- Refer a Friend, Get a Pumpkin Pie
- Refer a Friend & Get 20% Off for both you and your friend on the next purchase
- Bring a Buddy, Get Extra Discount!
- Social Media Contests Are How You Keep Them Engaged
Social media platforms are how you fuel the excitement. Plan rewarding contests to boost customer engagement while getting your followers excited about your brand’s Fall offerings.
Ideas:
- Fall-themed product photos
- Rewards for great User-Generated Content
- Photos showing creative use of your products
- Special giveaways
- Fall-related hashtags for your customers and prospects to track updates
- Cross-Channel Campaigns Make You Really Visible
Why settle for one marketing channel when you can take advantage of them all? The idea here is to devise a cohesive Fall campaign that spans across your website, social media, email, and even in-store displays.
Ideas:
- Earn Discount Coupons for registrations
- Get special freebies in-store for online purchases
- Upload your bill on the website for cashbacks on next purchase
- Promo Items & Giveaways Maximize Impressions
Who says promotional products can’t be cool? Beanies, especially, can complement your Fall marketing strategies. Buy wholesale beanies to minimize your investment and get them customized to promote your brand. To customize beanies, you can collaborate with local artists for a mutually beneficial Fall marketing partnership. If you believe your customers would appreciate a different style of headwear, you can also go for the popular blank OTTO hats or Richardson hats. Hats are among the most effective promotional products, and guarantee continuous impressions for months if the customization is appealing enough to the recipients.
Ideas:
- Give away branded beanies or trucker hats with purchases over a certain amount
- “Fall Style With Beanie Selfie” contest on Instagram
- Collaborate with a local charity for a “Buy a Beanie, Give a Beanie” campaign
- Use beanies or other branded promo headwear to promote your campaigns
- Hand out surprise exclusive headwear giveaways to unsuspecting customers in store
- Email Marketing To Retarget Past Customers
Emails are still effective if the message is attractive. Why not try dropping a couple of emails to some of your previous customers, encouraging them to purchase for extra benefits.
Ideas:
- Personalized deals on Fall favorites
- Show the QR in email in-store for XX% off on next purchase
- Invite for a Halloween-themed Fest in store & freebies on purchases
Tip: Use Fall-themed subject lines to boost open rates.
- Community Involvement For Good Will
Fall is all about community. Look for opportunities for your business to get involved in local events to show you’re a valued neighbor.
Ideas:
- Sponsor a local Fall festival & post about your involvement in social media
- Host a Halloween candy drive for kids in need
- Organize a Thanksgiving food donation campaign
- The aforementioned “Buy A Beanie, Give A Beanie” campaign attaching yourself to a local cause
- Limited-Time Offers To Induce A Sense Of Urgency
Nothing gets customers moving like limited-time offers around the holidays. Create a sense of urgency so they make purchase decisions faster.
Ideas:
- Friday Fall Sale: Only This Friday
- First 50 Customers Get A Special Gift
- Buy Now, Get Better Deals on Black Friday Prices
- Daylight Flash Sale
These Fall marketing ideas will have your business thrive in autumn, provided you have put in the effort to understand your customers and their interests. The key to Fall marketing success is to be authentic, creative, and just a little bit corny. Good luck.
