5 Creative Strategies To Help You Ace Your Back-To-School Marketing Game

With August right around the corner, your business has about a month to get in on one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year. Yes, the time has come – back-to-school! With students and parents on the hunt for supplies and trendy gear, it’s crucial for your retail store to stand out from the competition.

Here are five creative strategies to help you ace your back-to-school marketing game:

1. Host a scavenger hunt.

Transform the back-to-school shopping experience into an adventure by organizing a captivating scavenger hunt in your store. Create a list of items scattered throughout the aisles. Encourage participants seek out each one. Offer exciting prizes like gift cards, exclusive discounts or even school-themed merchandise for those who complete the quest. This engaging activity will draw families to your store and create memorable shopping experiences.

2. Create interactive social media campaigns.

Launch contests, polls or user-generated content competitions related to back-to-school themes. Encourage customers to share their shopping experiences, favourite products or school prep tips, accompanied by branded hashtags. Engaging with your audience in such interactive campaigns will keep your brand at the forefront of their minds while fostering a sense of community among your customers.

“Social media is one of the most important channels for back to school promotions,” insists Samantha Bansil on Brevo.com, “Run paid social media campaigns to advertise your products and services, or offer special discounts to your followers. Social media is also a great way to interact with the back to school crowd. Consider using your online platforms to build buzz and engage with potential customers.”

3. Collaborate with local schools.

Forming partnerships with nearby schools can be a brilliant way to promote your back-to-school sales. Sponsor events, workshops or fundraisers and provide exclusive discounts or incentives for students, teachers and parents. Also, consider hosting a “Teacher Appreciation Day” where educators can enjoy special deals and treats. This cooperative approach not only drives foot traffic to your store but also fosters a positive image within the local community.

4. Utilize influencer marketing.

Identify popular education or parenting influencers in your niche. Collaborate with them to showcase your back-to-school products. Encourage them to create engaging content featuring your merchandise and offer their followers unique discount codes. This way, you will tap into their loyal audience and build brand awareness in a genuine and relatable manner.

“An endorsement on an influencer’s feed helps add a personalized touch to your back-to-school campaign,” says Bansil, “Influencer marketing can also boost your products’ credibility and raise brand awareness among your target audience. This is because social media influencers, including family bloggers, have often built a deep, authentic connection with their followers. They can help you reach younger, social media-savvy audiences.”

5. Throw a “Back-To-School Bash”.

Organize a fun and vibrant back-to-school event in your store or parking lot, complete with music, games and enticing activities. Set up booths showcasing your promotional items and offer freebies or goodie bags to attendees. Partner with local food trucks or restaurants to add a tasty touch to the festivities. A memorable back-to-school bash will create buzz around your store and draw families looking for a delightful experience.

How can Synergy Merchants help you ace your back-to-school marketing game?

Call us at 1-877-718-2026 or email us at info@synergymerchants.com to learn about how our unique merchant cash advance program can quickly fund your business needs. You can also apply online for a free, no obligation quote!