The 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in the United States. According to NRF’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, at least “88 percent of Americans plan to celebrate Independence Day this year, spending a total $6.7 billion on food items.” The popularity and importance of this wonderful holiday should be noted by business owners wanting to enhance their marketing efforts. Through the combination of patriotism, fireworks, and the national colors, the 4th of July gives all businesses the chance to express their American pride in a way that connects with their audiences and reaches their marketing objectives.
Of course, even during these unprecedented times, it’s important to emphasize that 4th of July isn’t canceled (in fact, no holiday is!), and your marketing will need to resonate with the current situation. If you aren’t sure where to start, here’s a list we’ve compiled for 10 great marketing ideas your business can use for 4th of July.
1. Hold 4th of July discounts.
During other prominent holidays like Christmas, many businesses run special discounts or promotions to entice their customers to shop at their stores or websites. This same method can definitely be applied to a highly celebrated holiday like 4th of July—and numerous businesses have already taken advantage of this fact! Summer is also the perfect time to hold sales promotions and discounts because many shoppers are active during the season, even online. Try to make your discounts themed around the 4th of July by including the trademark red, white, and blue colors and using words and the American flag.
2. Give away free themed items.
If your business is open to the public, be sure to give away special 4th of July items for any customers who engage with your sale. These items can be as simple as sunglasses and patriotic jewelry. You can offer these free items in exchange for your customers’ contact information to help you grow your email list and find potential leads. Another great way to grow your reach is to share pictures of customers who’ve received free items on social media while using a special hashtag.
3. Wear red, white, and blue.
While shopping, your customers will likely be searching for items with red, white, and blue colors. This may include clothes, accessories, food, and even drinks. As such, it’s important to stock up your business with 4th of July themed merchandise. Brad Friedman of Social Media Today emphasizes this point when he writes, “since the Fourth of July is a very visual holiday, you should use some visual marketing methods for a strong business connection.” Make sure you highlight these colors on social media so that any followers can engage with your content.
4. Launch a product.
Create buzz by using the holiday to launch a new product or service. You may be hesitant but with the right strategy, you can ensure that this method doesn’t fizzle. Depending on your goals, you can create excitement about your product or service in the weeks before the 4th of July through social media and email. You may also choose to offer your new product at a special themed discount.
We also recommend encouraging your customers to shop via mobile. Mobile commerce is a very lucrative industry and nearly accounts for $100 billion per year in the U.S., according to Huffington Post. Just remember to offer one-click purchasing to make it easier for your customers to buy your products.
5. Create 4th of July themed blog posts.
On your company’s blog, make sure to write numerous 4th of July themed posts to get your customers into the spirit of the holiday. Some amazing blog topics include writing about your business’s red, white, and blue products or merchandise, compiling a list of favorite patriotic recipes, and discussing fun activities families can do together on the holiday. You can also write about hands-on crafts or games that parents can engage in with their children. The trick is to write blog posts that revolve around the holiday but also pertain to your company’s industry.
6. Participate in local events.
Even within the current landscape, there are still a ton of virtual events that many people in your community can participate in for the 4th of July. Whether it’s a virtual Independence Day festival or a live stream of fireworks displays, your business can still make an appearance. Most of these events are live and interactive, giving you the opportunity to promote your company and what it offers. You can even use these virtual events to network and engage with potential customers who may be interested in your products or services.
7. Show off your patriotism through social media.
Make sure to express your American pride through your social media channels. 4th of July social media posts can draw in a broader audience, many of whom may never have been exposed to your brand, products, and / or services. This can help stimulate conversion rates and lower customer acquisition costs. Share pictures of your employees, customers, and any products that showcase patriotism. You will also need to wish your customers a happy holiday through your posts and share related content via social media features like Instagram Stories. If your business is open, let your customers know so they stop by. Make sure that any photos that customers send you are tagged to increase their organic reach.
8. Use holiday-themed hashtags.
Create and implement relevant hashtags during the 4th of July weekend. Through hashtag marketing, your business will be able to extend its reach on any given social media channel. And because 4th of July is a popular celebration, it ultimately increases your chances of finding new customers. Some great hashtags that may trend during the holiday include #July4th, #4thofJuly, and #IndependenceDay. We also recommend including your company’s location or industry in your posts.
9. Run a patriotic photo contest.
To build better engagement with your followers, try holding a patriotic photo contest on a social media platform like Instagram. Create a post detailing the rules and ask fans to share their creative American pride in exchange for prizes. You may also promote this contest across all other marketing channels and even include a photo gallery on your website featuring these photos. This type of user-generated content helps drive traffic to your product or service pages that may lead to potential conversions.
10. Offer free shipping.
There are many customers who are unable to shop normally or can’t step foot into a store. To reach these customers, bring your company’s products and services to them this 4th of July. You can do this by offering free shipping for any customers who make purchases during the 4th of July weekend or the days leading up to it. That way, your business will have enough time to entice new customers looking for online shopping opportunities during the first few days of July.
Whether small or large, all businesses are encouraged to take advantage of the 4th of July to incorporate their marketing strategies. Just remember that, as with other holidays, it’s important to keep a creative mindset while simultaneously separating your brand from your competitors. All your marketing ideas should fit your business’s branding so that your customers know it comes from a place of genuity. Lastly, don’t treat 4th of July as another marketing opportunity—have fun with it and celebrate while you achieve your overall business objectives!