Do you smell that? Smoky. Sweet. And oh-so savory. That’s BBQ on the grill. And with Memorial Day approaching, that scent is wafting closer. For most Americans, Memorial Day is synonymous with getting away for the weekend, family gatherings and feasting with friends. Along with a holiday that calls for socializing and second helpings of delicious food, Memorial Day has become a weekend for big deal hunting, exploding with marketing promotions that rival Black Friday.
Unofficially, Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer season. And with three out of four Americans celebrating, it’s a huge opportunity for business owners to connect with their customers. But what is Memorial Day?
We’ll discuss:
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What is Memorial Day?
Prior to jumping with both feet into the festivities, it’s important to understand what Memorial Day is all about. The observance goes all the way back to 1868. Originally called Decoration Day, it was a day to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers. The early traditions, which are still upheld today, were decorating graves with flags, wreaths, flowers and letters. Today, Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States, honoring all U.S. military and personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. This is something to be mindful and respectful of in any Memorial Day communications. It is observed on the last Monday of May?
When is Memorial Day 2023
Memorial Day 2023 falls on Monday May 29th
Memorial day promotion ideas
Memorial Day offers up an opportunity to connect with your community, current customers and potential customers. People are primed for promotions on Memorial Day, and Americans will spend $500 on average that weekend at various retailers as well as restaurants. There are a variety of approaches, some with simple executions that are great for small businesses or shorter turnaround times.
Let’s explore some opportunities for simple and easy Memorial Day Promotions from digital to brick and mortar. Here are 10 Memorial Day campaign ideas for 2023.
- Shows of support
- Time sensitive
- Contests
- Summer tie-ins
- In-store events
- Customer loyalty
- Bundles and packages
- Freebies and extras
- Curated offering
- Charities, fundraisers & donations
1. A show of support
Simple and straightforward: if you don’t want to plan for a sale but feel that it’s important to acknowledge the holiday, try a “show of support” communication. Whether it’s a website banner, email or a sandwich board message, writing a message for Memorial Day is a thoughtful way to connect with your audience. Do your research and aim for something that is straightforward and respectful—and that at a glance embodies that Memorial Day feeling.
2. Time-sensitive promos
Consider creating a time-sensitive promotion for your audience. There are a few different ways to create hype and a sense of urgency leading up to Memorial Day and there is no greater way than a limited-time discount. Send out a code or themed phrase (HappyMemorialDay2023) by email for customers to use at checkout online or in-store. Restaurants can consider an early-bird special for those heading out of town. Considering a flash sale? We’ve got you covered.
3. Contests
There are loads of options for contest ideas and just as many social platforms to host them on. From TikTok to Facebook and Instagram, a contest is a wonderful way to engage your audience and spread the word of your brand.
In deciding on a contest, make sure it’s something that is playful and easy. Try one of these three popular ideas: sweepstakes, creative captioning ideas or photo sharing. Choose a simple hashtag that ideally uses your brand name. Make the contest simple to execute and understand and post the rules and regulations in a visible place for participants and iron out the timing.
4. Summertime tie-ins
As mentioned above, Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer season. For this reason, it is the perfect time to showcase your summer offering—from testing new menu items to seeing what products people gravitate toward as they prepare for summer 2023.
If you happen to have products or services that align well with the season, consider a unique landing page that pushes to a curated offering. If you don’t sell anything specific to summer, think outside of the box by adding elements that speak to the theme of the weekend. It could be as simple as a Memorial Day badge on the homepage or digital menu and using a red, white and blue color palette in an email feels festive and drives conversion.
5. In-store events
Memorial Day weekend, depending on where your locations are, might mean an influx of customers or even tourists. No matter where you reside you can create an atmosphere that feels celebratory and welcoming.
One way to do this is with an in-store event. Events don’t have to be elaborate to garner more traffic. Try a promotion on either summer-specific items or a deep sale on merchandise from fall and winter you are trying to clear out.
Make a playlist, decorate merchandise display windows with seasonal items or the aforementioned red, white and blue theme and offer guests some sparkling water to toast the new season on the horizon.
6. Bundles and packages
Creating a Memorial Day package is perfect for retailers and restaurants. Think about items that are prime sellers at this time of year and build in related items. For example, if you know sandwiches are a top seller for holiday weekends, set a good price that makes a combination with drink and dessert.
This Morton’s Memorial Day promo is a prime example of showcasing a custom menu for the day or weekend and highlighting the holiday and saving.
Retailers can explore how to move inventory from fall and winter by designing bundles that offer customers a deal for multiple items. This has the added benefit of turning people on to products that didn’t get the exposure you initially intended and clearing out back inventory.
Kosas, for example, is marketing “Memorial Day Sets” in honor of the holiday.
7. Freebies and extras
An unexpected gift is a crowd-pleaser. When thinking about your best approach for Memorial Day weekend, offering clientele a little free item is a low-lift way to create a great experience.
Restaurants can create a custom mocktail for Memorial Day that showcases a mini American flag or themed stir stick as an unexpected meal closer. But even a round of coffee or tea “on the house” is a lovely gesture.
From small soaps to free samples of an upcoming product, there are endless possibilities to surprise your customers and see them leave with a smile.
8. Reward customer loyalty
For those brands that have customer loyalty programs, holidays including Memorial Day are ideal for creating a niche promo. Whether you have simple stamp cards or an elaborate tiered points system, consider offering your most loyal clientele something special. It might be free shipping an extra 10% off at checkout or even a surprise add-on. Make sure your communications with them highlight the exclusive nature of your promotion and your appreciation of their patronage.
9. Curated offering
If Memorial Day speaks to you personally or you feel a promotion isn’t a direction you would like to go in, donating to a related charity could be a perfect fit to showcase your values. Whether it’s an option for customers to opt-in with an additional fee toward donating or if you are matching a percentage at their check-outs that weekend, find a charity that speaks to you and your brand and highlight it across your communities.
10. Charities, fundraisers and donation
If Memorial Day speaks to you personally or you feel a promotion isn’t a direction you would like to go in, donating to a related charity could be a perfect fit to showcase your values. Whether it’s an option for customers to opt-in with an additional fee toward donating or if you are matching a percentage at their check-outs that weekend, find a charity that speaks to you and your brand and highlight it across your communities
Final words
No matter what you do for Memorial Day weekend, never keep the meaning behind the day far from your mind; it will act as a North Star for remaining respectful. It’s a perfect time for promotions as people prepare for their weekends of travel and getting together with friends and family.
For any Memorial Day campaigns, whether retail or restaurant, make sure to highlight the cost savings—think using a bold color and larger fonts for the revised price. Incorporate the theme in all the marketing touch-points for the weekend’s Memorial Day advertising, ensuring that any social posts, landing pages, ads and banners have the same red, white and blue colors, wording and overall feeling.
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