From Traditional to Offbeat: A Plethora Of Promotional Opportunities

What a ride 2016 has been! It’s been filled with ups and downs, twists and turns and all kinds of surprises.

As we head into 2017, why not take a look at your calendar and plan to take as many traditional opportunities for promotional marketing as the year provides.

It’s also the perfect year to take a lighter than usual approach with some unique and obviously offbeat opportunities that will do wonders to show off your creativity and keep you top-of-mind with your clients.

Traditional First Quarter Promotions

Typical first quarter promotions begin in February and include Super Bowl with a lengthy list of possible marketing tie-ins. This coming year, President’s Day could have an unusual spin with a brand new billionaire President in the White House. (I know, the day is typically in recognition of George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays. However, it can include recognition of all U.S. presidents.)
And, who doesn’t love the multitude of creative ways to promotionally tie in to Valentine’s Day? How about your logo in chocolate?

Speaking of affairs of the heart, Heart Awareness Day is celebrated in early February. Everyone wears red for one specified day during the month dedicated to heart health awareness. The possibilities for internal and external promotional campaigns are endless!

Unusual First Quarter Promotions

Starting the year out on a light note could be just what your clients and prospects need. Global Belly Laugh Day is celebrated on January 24th. We all know that laughter is the best medicine and belly laughs are the ultimate! I’ve written extensively about Belly Laugh Day in this month’s blog, which you can read here. There are many ways to create marketing campaigns around this fun filled day. Schedule a laughter yoga event and/or send a series of jokes (politically correct of course).

Also, January 19th is National Popcorn Day. Even though most of the country is dieting this time of year, popcorn is a dieter’s best friend. You don’t have to send the stuff that’s covered in sugar and butter. I’ve heard there’s a very popular one that appeals to the skinny person inside! Fresh ideas and opportunities are popping!

National Umbrella Day

I must admit, this is one of my favorites. National Umbrella day is celebrated on February 10th. Talk about promotional opportunities! You can have your logo and a catchy saying (about umbrellas, smiles, your business, you get the gist!) embossed on umbrellas that get sent to your clients. Or how about those fun, colorful cocktail umbrellas? They can be sent as a direct mail tie-in to an Umbrella Day promotion.

Springtime

Ground Hog Day is the launching point for springtime promotions even though it is February 2nd. This is the time everyone north of the Mason-Dixon line starts longing for the sunny days of spring. Then you have Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day, Heart, followed by the Oscars, which always provide tie-in opportunities that give you permission to let your imagination play.

When you are attempting to grow a relationship, Plant a Flower Day on March 12 could be time to sow a seed with a prospect. And if you want to really entertain your clients you can celebrate National Chicken Dance Day, which officially falls on Sunday, May 14th. But you can be creative and celebrate the Friday before or the Monday after with contests where the winners are rewarded as befits a fine feathered dancing bird!

As you can see there are dozens of ways to keep your clients and prospects engaged with promotional tie-ins in the first part of the New Year. When you’re ready to get creative, give us a call. At Gossett Marketing we’ve been helping our clients successfully show off their promotional ingenuity for decades.