Australians spent $3 billion last Easter, according to a forecast by IBISWorld. That’s $132.85 per person, spent mostly on chocolate, alcohol, seafood and other food, clothes and gifts. Premium chocolates and boutique beers were expected to top the sales lists, thanks to an interest in organic, free-trade and local produce. This information is all very nice but when, like me, your business in not traditional retail, the Easter Bunny seems to hop straight past. Or does he?
Easter may not make our sales skyrocket, but we can grab a slice of the pie (or, um hot cross bun) through relationship marketing. And don’t just think of your customers … remember your staff, suppliers and business associates too!
- Upload a cute Facebook cover image of chocolate, bunnies or baby chickens at least a week before Easter. Yummy food and baby animals are irresistible to Facebook users!
- Schedule a “Happy Easter” Facebook post simply to thank your customer — find a “creative commons” photo on Flickr or Google Images, add a message in your photo editing software and schedule it for Good Friday morning.
- Make your favourite chocolate recipe, take an enticing close-up photo and share the recipe across everything from social media and your blog to newsletters and greeting cards.
- Speaking of greeting cards, send hand-written “thank you” notes by snail mail to the people who have supported or been in inspiration in your professional life.
- Get together with your staff and/or business associates and do something meaningful for charity. By that, I mean a volunteer activity that allows you to make a difference to someone’s life in person, such as visiting a nursing home or hospital.
- Host an event. Forget sales pitches and “networking” … host an Easter egg hunt for adults instead or send guests home with a sweet little goodie bag.
- Give a gift — create an e-book, webinar or list of tips and make it available for free download from your website.
- Create a Pinterest board of your favourite Easter tips, tricks and memories.
- Run an Easter-themed competition that encourages genuine participation … get people to take a photo, write a limerick or share their favourite Easter memory. Remember to share the entries through social media and make a big announcement of the winner.
- Run an Easter-themed advertising campaign.
