Memorial Day is upon us, which means everyone will be celebrating long weekend barbecues, picnics, and other forms of recreation. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, a time to remember not just our fallen troops and those who fought for our freedom, but also the sacrifices and contributions that have been made by countless veterans, family members, and friends across the nation. Finding the right way to say “thank you” to your customers on Memorial Day can get a little tricky. This holiday is more than just another reason to party and have cookouts — it's a time for us to remember those who fought for our freedom.
With this in mind, sending a simple “thank you” to your customers might not cut it. You will want to make them feel special and show them that you truly care. But how are you going to do it? Don't worry, we've got some great tips that will help you be successful in your marketing plan.
Highlight team members who served.
Each year on Memorial Day, we take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by military members who have given their lives for our country. The holiday is a time to honor their memory and recognize their service. It's also a time to recognize other veterans and active service members in your life — including anyone in your team who has served. Give them a shoutout on social media with a photo — or even make it part of your campaign. Another option is to add a section to your website with photos, bios, and stories from your employees who have served (you can also add this as a blog post). You can also extend this to family members of your team members who served.
Run a donation campaign.
The most efficient way to grow your email list is to run a donation campaign. The great thing about donation campaigns is that you can do them for any holiday. For Memorial Day marketing, ask your customers to donate to a charity like the Wounded Warriors Project in exchange for joining your email list. To make the most out of this type of campaign, consider reaching out to the charity beforehand and asking if they would mention you on their site. This will get you more traffic and make it more likely that customers will donate.
Highlight issues impacting veterans.
When Americans think of Memorial Day, the first thought that comes to mind is usually the beach. The second is usually barbecuing with friends and family. But the true meaning of Memorial Day is to honor those who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military and to support those veterans and active duty military who are still with us today. Memorial Day is an opportunity to reflect on the issues impacting today's veterans. This Memorial Day, don't just acknowledge your gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice — highlight issues that impact living veterans.
Give military members a deal.
Military service members and veterans have sacrificed a lot for their country. It's only right that they get special treatment when they shop. You can use Memorial Day as a marketing opportunity by offering military discounts. Offer an exclusive discount for active-duty members of the military and veterans. This can be done through a military email address, ID card, or other proof of service. Not only does it make you look good to your customers, but it also gives you a chance to thank the men and women who serve our country.
Host an event on Memorial Day.
Memorial Day is a great time to host an event. Since a lot of people are out of work and enjoying the holiday, hosting your own event can be a great crowd-puller. Events can be anything from a BBQ or block party to a retail sale or live broadcast. If you’re planning on hosting an event to celebrate Memorial Day, make sure you have the right marketing tools in place to promote it. To make sure your event is well attended, use Facebook Events to advertise it. Facebook is one of the most effective ways to promote events because it’s so easy for people to share and spread the word.
Regardless of the sentiment behind your Memorial Day marketing thoughts and ideas, it's always a good idea to keep things relevant and tasteful. One way to do that is to stay within people's expectations. For example, don't get too political or try to push an agenda. Just stick with the type of content that honors those who have served our country and were killed while doing so. You have a civic duty to be aware of your audience, their beliefs, and your responsibility to not offend them.
Our advice is to consider these tips and make them a part of your next marketing plan. You will not only show respect for our veterans and the fallen on Memorial Day, but you might put yourself in a stronger position to drive revenue through the holiday, as well. Remember these tips, get creative with how you show you care and enjoy this upcoming holiday!