Marketing Ideas for July 4th
With the 4th of July just around the corner, we are reminded of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote “America is another name for opportunity” and the simple truth that no one takes advantage of this opportunity with such fervor as small businesses and entrepreneurs.
All holidays are marketing opportunities, but the American Independence Day has a little something extra. It brings the entire country together in a national celebration of freedom, unity and of course shopping galore. Any business that targets an American audience knows that this is not a holiday to be overlooked.
In the brave pursuit of entrepreneurial success that will do justice to this day of liberty and pioneerism, let’s take a look at the different ways we can kill it with 4th of July Marketing.
Tell an American story
Today, many CMOs have identified storytelling as a key marketing strategy. We’ve seen proven time and time that stories sell and feature lists don’t. A story has the power to convey strong emotions and simplify a seemingly complex message.
Pro-tip: Base your 4th of July marketing campaign around a compelling story.
Take this Budweiser commercial, for example. It integrates the celebrity-factor, emotion, and impactful storytelling, all in one heart-wrenching video. It’s almost impossible not to feel something when watching this one, especially this time of year.
It’s not for nothing that Budweiser is such an iconic American brand.
Offer a special Independence Day promotion
4th of July marketing promotions are the bread and butter of this holiday. More than the discount that you’re offering, your customers want to feel the holiday spirit. Whether you’re offering 30% off, free shipping or a buy-one-get-one deal, a special patriotic promotion will make consumers gravitate towards your business when considering their holiday shopping.
Pro-tip: We know that the food industry is a big one for this holiday (and let’s face it, every holiday). But remember, your product or service doesn’t need to be directly relevant to the 4th of July to offer a great deal in the holiday spirit.
Make sure to start your promotion at least a few weeks in advance, because just like us, our customers also need time to prepare for the celebrations.
Try some patriotic branding
This one is an intersection between product branding and marketing. If you can find a way to give an American-themed twist to one of your existing products or create a new limited-time product for the holiday, you’ve got this 4th of July in the bag.
Pro-tip: The easiest way to give your product a patriotic edge is by adding some stars, stripes, slapping on an “I Heart USA” caption, or just coloring it in red white and blue. Hey, if it’s good enough for M&Ms, it’s good enough for us.
Holiday branded products not only foster a sense of festivity but also a sense of urgency because they are naturally only available for a limited time.
Decorate your socials in red, white and blue
Your 4th of July social media posts are more important than you might think. More than 50% of users saying a brand’s social media presence will influence whether they’ll buy from the brand during the holidays. Don’t be that one business who forgot to be patriotic – it can be a big turn-off for potential customers as well as existing ones.
Pro-tip: If you’re a brick and mortar, we definitely recommend you decorate your storefront, but for most, a social media page is the digital equivalent. Decorate your brand’s social accounts by updating your cover video and wall with themed content.
Your cover video or posts don’t necessarily have to have a direct connection to your product or service. They can just be July 4th-themed videos that will grab your customer’s attention and remind them that your business is there to help them celebrate.
Send your customers a 4th of July message
We know that this might sound a little old fashioned but there nothing like just sending some good wishes from your family (or business) to theirs. Don’t underestimate the power of a personalized message. Personalized emails improve click-through rate by 14% and conversion rates by 10%.
Pro-tip: Send your customers a personalized email with a memorable image or video to simply wish them a happy 4th and remind them that you value their business (and of course are happy to help with any holiday shopping needs that they might have).
Often we forget that a significant part of building a business is creating lasting customer relationships. Retaining customers should be a central focus of your marketing plan and dropping a note on the holidays is only one of the ways you can create a presence in their lives.
Happy 4th of July!
These are just a few of the many ways that you can take advantage of the 4th of July to boost your business the way the founding fathers would have wanted (no doubt). No matter what industry you’re in, this holiday is an excellent marketing opportunity. Figure out what works for you and start making some marketing fireworks.
