Spread the Love: Reaching Customers On Valentine’s Day

Love and consumerism: It’s a match made in marketing heaven.

As Valentine’s Day is the first opportunity for holiday online marketing, how can you make the most of the reaching your target audience?

I think we have all felt the sheer panic of forgetting a holiday is around the corner. Actually, more than 50% of adults celebrate this redundant holiday with last minute purchases. This mad dash to express “love” is a great opportunity for marketers to promote their products as a way to the procrastinators.

Since spending is on the rise for holidays like Valentine’s Day, here are 4 tips you can consider for making the most out of Valentines Day marketing!

Love Knows No Bounds: Think Outside the Box

With “Anti-Valentines Day”, “Galentine’s”,  and “Single Awareness”   becoming popular, think outside the box!

Planning for an effective campaign should start with who you are trying to sell to. These days, Valentines Day gifts extend beyond just significant others. As more than 50% of people in America are “single“, celebrating with others might include: family, co-workers, friends and even “fur babies!”

Thinking beyond “relationship love” means that you can beat your competitors by casting a wider or better targeted net of customers! Get with the times and be trendy!

Consider including campaigns that will include different types of gifts for people beyond a boyfriend, girlfriend or partner!

Always and Forever: Timing is Everything

Like, relationships, timing is everything!

Most people procrastinate, there are even SNL skits highlighting the mad rush for purchasing flowers, teddy bears and cards for Valentines day! Help your customers not be “that guy” and help them become a WINNER!

Know, 46% of searches and shopping taking place in early February and only  23% of shopping occurs in January. So, when it comes to Valentine’s Day, market to the procrastinator! They need all the help they can get!

For example, Macy’s is currently running an ad on Spotify promoting a Valentine’s Day Sale from February 8th till February 10th. On top of their timing they are utilizing a call to action button to help create an easy experience for customers.

Seeing trends and doing your homework on timing, like Macy’s did, helps you plan for the right time to market your products for optimal searches and clicks!

Can I Have Your Number: Use Mobile Ads

As I discussed in another article, mobile searches and advertisements matter! Improving and creating mobile ads on Instagram, Facebook and Google can really drive your audience engagement.

By using call to action buttons, specific targeting and great visuals, it’s easy to boost your sale numbers. Amit Shah, 1-800-Flowers VP of Mobile and social media said, “It’s very clear that our customers are migrating to mobile”, which means for a holiday like this you have to be mobile friendly!

Make use of powerhouse social media platforms to do the work for you! The more people see your promotions, products and sales, the more you will succeed.

I Care About You: Create Engaging Promotions

Social media creates communities for everyone to engage on a wide variety of topics (we all have opinions, right?).

There are simple psychological desires in all of us to “focus on self” that you can easily use create promotions and “feel good mail” to engage customers! Examples could be:

• Hold a story/photo contest that customers can participate in to receive a coveting gift card or prize!
• Create quizzes or surveys for customers to take with promo codes to gain at the end!
• Send a Valentine’s Day card to past customers or visiting site customers to show you care and tell them about promotions and new products!

Although these tactics don’t always come with an immediate pay off, they create a traffic to your website/brand as well as gaining new customers through creating a sense of caring and engagement.

Love That Never Ends: The Conclusion

Sure, there are mixed feelings on celebrating the holiday, but, really, who doesn’t enjoy giving and receiving some love on Valentine’s Day?

I know your potential customers do!

Don’t be a Scrooge and miss out on a great opportunity to reach your desired market! Valentine’s Day would be a serious missed opportunity for marketers! It can be the marketing spike to start the year off converting increased sales and new customers!

Spread some of the love!

For those of you who want some really “puny” marketing valentines day, CLICK HERE. Enjoy!