Spring Marketing Ideas

What do you think about when it comes to marketing this time of year?  There is so much to draw from for marketing ideas this time of the year for almost every business.  Using the seasons is a great strategy for developing marketing plans.  Be sure and plan your seasonal marketing strategy in advance so as not to miss a great window of opportunity.

Springtime typically plays on the senses of warmer happier times.  Here is a sample list of some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.  Please comment with your ideas and how you market your product(s) and/or service(s) this time of year.

• ·        The Time Change – Spring Forward – ‘It’s Time to Spring into Action’

o   Many businesses use the time change to send their clients and prospects a reminder to change their clocks and to ‘Spring into Action,’ i.e. Real Estate – To Sell their home and/or buy their Dream Home.

• ·        Talk about the Weather –

o   Example - Use gorgeous spring weather to help promote your business! Come up with deals that revolve around weather to attract customers. Weather can be particularly useful for restaurants with patios; these businesses can bring in customers by making deals on their meals and entice them with a nice patio table.  Also personal care products, businesses, or services, i.e. spas, weight loss, fitness – ‘Are you Beach Ready?’ 

• ·        Spring Cleaning – ‘Out with the Old and In with the New’ ‘Fresh Clean Start’  ‘New Inventory’

o   Example - Spring cleaning conjures up thoughts of getting rid of the old and bringing in the new, making the introduction of new products is ideal for this time of the year. Advertise an inventory sale to make room for the new stuff coming soon to generate interest. Another idea for a cleaning theme involves adding your company name, logo and website address to promotional cleaning materials, such as sponges, gloves or cleaning cloths, and handing them out or mailing the items to clients and prospects.

• ·        Using Holidays to Market – St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Passover, Earth Day, May Day, Mother’s Day, etc. 

o   Example - Tie your spring marketing campaigns to one of the holidays that fall during the season, such as Easter, Passover, May Day or Mother’s Day. Know your target market so the holiday you choose to tie your message to strongly appeals to prospects and clients, such as selling gifts for Mother’s Day or new clothing and shoes for Easter festivities. Implement promotional ideas to build traffic, such as if you own a floral shop, offer a “buy one, get one at 50 percent discount” on May Day bouquets.

• ·        Changing to Seasonal Colors - more pastel, spring like colors and/or using flowers, butterflies, etc.

o   Example - After a dreary winter, your customers are likely ready to see some bright, warm colors that will put them in a happier mood. You can use this to your advantage by posting social media statuses or pictures featuring brightly colored flowers or scenery and using in your email marketing.  Or if you have a storefront, re-decorating with spring colors and décor, flowers, etc.  Nothing is better than putting your customer in a good mood.  

• ·        Using Events like March Madness, Spring Break, April 15^th, etc.

o   Example - Create a marketing effort related to the annual celebration of Earth Day that takes place on April 22. Build your brand by sponsoring a road cleanup project or a tree planting event, and invite the community to join in. Design T-shirts with your company’s name, logo and the event name, and hand them out to everyone to wear while participating. Another green activity that’s ideal for spring includes sending your marketing message to prospects and clients on paper covered with seeds. After they have read your message, instead of sending the waste paper to a landfill, they can bury it and wildflowers will bloom.  Or send greeting cards with a packet of seeds with your springtime message.

We would love to hear your ideas for your Spring Marketing.

Happy Spring,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”

Material from: (More ideas are also available from these sites).

Small Business Chronicle - http://smallbusiness.chron.com/springtime-marketing-ideas-64289.html

Stella PR Marketing - http://stellaprmarketing.com/fresh-ideas-for-springtime-marketing/

Refresh, Renew, Refocus, and Re-evaluate

It’s Spring time!  Finally!  Green is sprouting from the earth, bushes, and trees.  Beautiful blooms are popping forth.  Time to Refresh, Renew, Refocus, and Re-evaluate.  I saw a post on one of the social media sites that asked the question, ‘It’s the end of the first quarter, what have you accomplished?’   Hmmm….how many of your New Year’s resolutions have already gone by the wayside?  What about those goals you set at the first of the year?  

No worries.  Don’t beat yourself up.  Take a deep breath and get out your list.  Do some accessing and refocus.   Sometimes we get over zealous when making our goals for the New Year.  Sometimes life happens and throws us a curve ball.  Instead of just throwing the list away, now is a good time to take another look and re-evaluate our priorities.

Here are some tips to get back on track.

·         Self Renew - Self-renewing people seem to get a lot done, and still not act harried or talk irrationally.

·         Pace yourself - There are only so many hours in a day to accomplish things, so focus on the main thing.  Don’t burn the candle at both ends.  Don't sweat the small stuff.

·         Keeping the first things first – Be value-driven, and determine what is important.   

·         Single Task – Give your undivided attention to the priorities first.  Trying to multi-task takes the focus off what is truly important.

·         Get support – Focus on what you do best and delegate or hire someone else to do the rest.  Re-evaluate and cull out those tasks that are no longer helping you reach your goals.  Remember the definition of insanity, ‘Doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.’

·         Seek advice – Find the expertise from those who are successful in your field and find out what works for them.  Good networking opportunity.

·         Pause – Take some time away from it all.  The time could be to think about what are your priorities, to reflect on all for which you have to be grateful.   Sometimes we are so busy that we get side tracked from what our real priorities are/were.  Pausing is important, and if you need a weekly reminder, sign up at www.pauseworks.com for Pat Katz’s pause e-zine. We are all just one heart attack away from a disaster, so let’s learn to refresh and renew .

·         Find time to be playful and creative – We all know the saying, ‘All work and no play…..’   Stepping away from it all can often times provide that renewal we need to get back on track with our goals again.  Often times it can also bring forth new fresh ideas.

·         Keep in touch – Take time to spend quality time with family and friends.  This time can also provide a new and perhaps a different perspective on our priorities.  We certainly don’t want to get a call one day and then beat ourselves up because we didn’t take the time to go have lunch with an old acquaintance. 

"Common sense is uncommon practice.” Many of these tips are not new.  We all need a reminder.  Sometimes when we stop to reflect we realize that we are not as off track as we thought we were.  Refocusing can get us excited again so we can make those small steps towards those big goals that initially looked so huge.  How do you eat an elephant? – One small bite at a time!

For April’s Holidays and Celebrations, check out these websites.  

Holiday Insights
Brownie Locks
Web Holidays
Earth Calendar
Wellcat - Quirky Holidays

Celebrate the lives of those you love Everyday! Show them you care. Send them a
H.U. G. - A Heartfelt Greeting.

Also check out the Fan Page on Facebook ‘We Have a Card for That.’

In gratitude,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”

*The inspiration for this blog came from www.ElaineFroese.com who is a catalyst for courageous conversations and intentional life design.

Happy Easter - Happy Spring!

In my endless search for positive and inspirational material, I found the following which I thought was appropriate for Easter and Spring. Easter is interpreted for many as 'Re-birth.' To me Spring time is a re-birthing of all that the beautiful things in nature that the Universe has given us. And it brings thoughts of the seeds we plant in our lives and how they grow and manifest. Enjoy.

Springtime – The Seeds we Plant

Farmers are planting the seeds for their spring and summer
Crops. What are you planting for your life?

What is it that you want to create this spring, summer, year?
Now is the time to begin planting the ideas of what you
desire.

Be definitive, not necessarily in details but know exactly how
you will feel when you have arrived at your desire.

"Manifestation Rides of the Fuel of Emotion"

It is your emotion, how you feel that will help to manifest your
Goals and Dreams.

From Annette Pieper, Explore the Power of Possibilities http://www.annettepieper.com

Jewels of Life:

The past couple of weeks have been spent preparing our inner garden for planting by fertilizing and working the soil. Now is the time to seed your dreams. When we plant a seed, we set the intention that it will mature into a plant that will bear fruit or grow to maturity, re-seeding itself at the end of its life. We plant a seed expecting it to sprout, take root and grow into something magnificent. Our dreams and desires become manifest when our intentions are planted into the soil of our inner gardens. We begin by setting an intention to move towards our dreams and then take action on our intention. True intentions are stated in the present moment. They are not the “I should, I have to, I must, I will, I will try, or I would like to’s”. Intentions are the “I am” statements we make to ourselves that move us forward on our path. With “I am” messages we tell ourselves that we are committed to do the work now, to take a step. With “I will” messages we put our thoughts and actions to the “someday in the future”. Our intentions are small beginnings towards the bigger picture of our dreams, the seeds from which our dreams grow. Unfortunately, many of us are fearful of planting the seed or setting intentions. We live in barren landscapes, afraid to take the risks necessary to fulfill our greatest desires. Is there an intention that you could set that would step you towards a desire, goal or dream? Call on the vibration of Petrified Wood and plant the seed that will grow to maturity. Set that intention today…I am making that phone call, I am exercising for health, I am cooking a new and healthy recipe, I am saving money towards my dream vacation, etc.

You can’t harvest what you don’t sow. So plant your desires, gently nurture them, and they will be rewarded with abundance. –Vivian Elisabeth Glyck

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

April Fool

Yes I’m posting the April calendar a little early because I’m going on a little vacation. I’m going on a four day cruise to Cozumel with my company and then on to Texas for my youngest granddaughter’s first birthday celebration. And yes the picture is my granddaughter sitting among the blue bonnets. One of the reasons my daughter says that Texas is home.

Spring is in the air; at least it is where I am. The flowers are blooming, the trees and budding, the birds are singing, etc. April is National Garden month. Spring and Summer, especially summer, are my favorite times of the year. Soon we can sit outside and enjoy the warmth of the sun. We should all get outside the last week of April, it's National Turnoff Your TV Week.

Let me know what your favorite holiday or favorite time of the year is.

So what is on the agenda for April besides Easter? I do find it amusing that National Egg Salad week comes the week after Easter. Duh!

Lots of good reasons to send a greeting card to someone. Got a Sibling – National Sibling Day is April 10. Send yours a H.U.G. – Heartfelt Unexpected Greeting.

You can even tell someone to 'Go Fly a Kite.' After all it is National Fly a Kite Month. ;)

From The Earth Calendar

April-1- April Fool's Day
April-6 - National Tartan Day
April-8 - ASPCA Day
April-10 - Good Friday
April-10 - National Sibling Day
April-12 - Easter Sunday
April-13 - Thomas Jefferson's Birthday
April-15 - Income Tax Day (also Accountant's Day)
April-15 - Rubber Eraser Day
April-16 - Emancipation Day (DC)
April-16 - Librarian Day (School)
April-18 - Paul Revere Day
April-21 - John Muir Day
April-21 - San Jacinto Day (Texas)
April-22 - Administrative Professionals Day (formerly Secretaries Day)
April-22 - Earth Day
April-22 - Oklahoma Day
April-26 - Confederate Memorial Day

Month Observances

Women's Eye Health and Safety Month Prevent Blindness America
Cancer Control Month American Cancer Society
Alcohol Awareness Month National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Counseling Awareness Month American Counseling Assoc.
Autism Awareness Month Autism Society of America
Child Abuse Prevention Month childabuse.org
International Guitar Month Guitar & Accessories Marketing Assoc.
Keep America Beautiful Month Keep America Beautiful Inc.
Listening Awareness Month Effective Listeners Month
Mathematics Education Month The Math Forum
Multicultural Communication Month International Center of Multicultural Communication
National Anxiety Month National Anxiety Center
National Garden Month Garden Council
Occupational Therapy Month American Occupational Therapy Foundation
National Poetry Month National Council of Teachers of English
National Welding Month American Welding Society
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month A.S.P.C.A.
Stress Awareness Month Health Resource Network
STD Awareness Month American Social Health Assoc.
Youth Sports Safety Month National Youth Sports Safety Foundation
National Kite Month Multiple Sponsors
Parliamentary Law Month National Association of Parliamentarians
National Landscape Architecture Month American Society of Landscape Architects
Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month ASPCA
World Habitat Awareness Month World Habitat Awareness Month
School Library Media Month American Association of School Librarians
Jazz Appreciation Month Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Financial Literacy Month Money Management International

Second Week

National Garden Week National Garden Bureau
Building Safety Week NCSBCS
National Library Week American Library Association
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials

Third Week

Boys & Girls Club Week Boys & Girls Club of America
Medical Laboratory Week American Society for Clinical Pathology
Pan American Week Pan American Union
National Student Leadership Week National Association of Student Councils
Canada Book Week The Writers Trust of Canada
National Dark Sky Week National Dark Sky Week
National Wildlife Week National Wildlife Federation

Fourth Week

Infants Immunization Week National Immunization Program
Minority Cancer Awareness Week Cancer Information Services
National Coin Week American Numismatic Assoc.

Last Week

Big Brothers/Big Sisters Appreciation Week Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America
National Lingerie Week Intimate Apparel Council
National Sky Awareness Week (see website for sponsors)
National Volunteer Week Points of Light Foundation
Organ/Tissue Donor Awareness Week National Kidney Foundation
TV Turnoff Week TV Turnoff Week
Administrative Professional's Week IAAP

Moveable Week

Astronomy Week (determined by 1st quarter moon) Astronomical League
Egg Salad Week (observed the week after Easter) American Egg Board
Jewish Heritage Week (observed during Passover) Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Inc.


Now for my Favorite Holidays – The Quirky Holidays. I especially like April 7 and April 12. (From WellCat.com - http://www.wellcat.com/spring.htm)

Apr 7 No Housework Day -- No trash. No dishes. No making of beds or washing of laundry. And no guilt. Give it a rest!

Apr 8 Trading Cards for Grown-ups Day -- Why should we alleged adults have to give up our precious trading cards just because we get older? No more faking interest in our kids' "Purse Maniacs," or whatever they're called. What'll you give me for a holographic Elizabeth McGovern?

Apr 12 Walk on Your Wild Side Day -- Time's wasting, friends. It's high time you went out and did some things no one expects you to do. Be unpredictable for once. Go to work dressed like a gorilla; get a Master's degree, something "they" said you'd never do.

Apr 17 Blah Blah Blah Day -- A day to do all the things everyone's been nagging you about. So . . . quit smoking, get a real job. Lose weight, gain weight, and take out the trash!

Apr 18 Pet Owner's Independence Day -- Dog and cat owners take off from work and the pets go to work in their place, since most pets are jobless, sleep all day and do not even take out the trash. Owners get to stay home all day and lie around on the back of the sofa.

Apr 26 Hug an Australian Day -- To show our great appreciation for all the love and support the Aussies have given us over the years.

Enjoy the month. Find a reason to celebrate life, yours and those you love.

I’ve been extremely busy trying to get everything done to go on vacation. I have several blogs that need posting including a great one on networking from a friend of mine. So stay posted.

Until next time.

Warmest Regards,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”

Time Marches On

Can you believe it’s March already?! We got snow in our area yesterday! It was beautiful while it was falling. I’m just glad it wasn’t cold enough to accumulate on the ground. People around here just don't know how to drive in the snow.

What’s up for March besides St. Patrick’s Day and the First Day of Spring, which are two of my favorites along with American Chocolate week which is the third week of March. Read on for the list. I even added some from the ‘Quirky Holiday List’ I recently found. Enjoy and remember it’s always fun to surprise someone and keep in touch by sending them an ‘off the wall’ holiday greeting card at an unexpected time, i.e. the second week of March is National Procrastination Week. Send a card, but be sure and send it late ;).

Here’s the Quirky list first from http://www.wellcat.com/holiday.html - I think my favorite of this list is March 22, 'As Young as You Feel Day.'


March 3 - What if Cats & Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day --We are thankful today that our pets can't really get a grip on things. Imagine a cat being able to operate the can opener or a dog that can open up the fridge!

March 9 Panic Day -- Run around all day in a panic, telling others you can't handle it anymore. Co-sponsored by the Sky is Falling Committee.

March 15 -- National Brutus Day -- No matter where you work, you must admit there's as much intrigue, plotting and back stabbing as was found in Ancient Rome or is found today inside the Washington Beltway.

March 15 -- True Confessions Day -- Confession are good for the soul. Go into work today and tell all. If you plan to stay home, make an appointment with your mirror.

March 16 -- Lips Appreciation Day -- Where would all those lovely teeth we paid a bundle for be without a lovely frame? Do something nice for your lips today. Buy a lip balm. Better yet, kiss somebody!

March 18 -- Forgive Mom and Dad Day -- Is there a parent alive who has not made mistakes? It’s time to let Mom and Dad down off the wedding cake and into the world of mere humans. Besides, you’re an alleged grown-up now, and it’s time to stop living your life as a reaction to what used to be.

March 22 -- As Young As You Feel Day -- Now more than ever you are as young as you feel. So stop acting your chronological age and get out there and start feeling peppy!

March 26 -- Make Up Your Own Holiday Day -- This is a day you may name for whatever you wish. Reach for the stars! Make up a holiday.

March 27 -- Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day -- We love those old Country Music quirky song titles, and it's time to create some new ones. How about, "Put me out at the curb, darlin', 'cause the recycling truck's a-comin' and you done throwed me out" for starters?


Now for the more Traditional Holidays from the Earth Calendar, http://www.earthcalendar.net/index.php :

March-1 - National Pig Day
March-2 - Texas Independence Day (Texas)
March-3 - National Anthem Day
March-4 - Town Meeting Day (Vermont)
March-6 - Alamo Day
March-7 - Peace Corps Day
March-8 – Daylight Saving Time begins
March-10 - Harriet Tubman Day
March-12 - Employee Day
March-12 - Girl Scout Day
March-14 - Pi Day
March-16 - Black Press Day
March-16 - Freedom of Information Day
March-16 - Liberty Day
March-17 - Camp Fire Boys & Girls Founders Day
March-17 - Evacuation Day (Boston only)
March-17 - St. Patrick's Day
March-20 – First Day of Spring
March-22 - North American Wildlife Celebration
March-25 - Maryland Day
March-26 - Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana`ole Day (Hawaii)
March-27 - Skyscraper Day
March-30 - Doctor's Day
March-31 - Cesar Chavez Day (California)


March Events -

Unless otherwise stated, these are generally observed in the US only.

Month Observances

Workplace Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month Prevent Blindness America

National Craft Month Craft & Hobby Association

Academy Awards Month Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts & Science

American Red Cross Month American Red Cross

American Diabetes Alert Month American Diabetes Assoc.

Eye Donor Month Eye Bank Association of America

Kidney Month National Kidney Foundation

National Frozen Food Month National Frozen Food Assoc.

National Noodle Month National Pasta Assoc.

National Nutrition Month (Canada) Dietitians of Canada

National Peanut Month National Peanut Council, Inc

National Professional Social Worker's Month National Assoc. of Social Workers

Rosacea Awareness Month National Rosacea Society

Women's History Month National Women's History Project

Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month ASPCA


First Week

Return Borrowed Books Week -

First Full Week

National PTA Drug & Alcohol Awareness Week National PTA

School Breakfast Week American School Food Service Association

Jewish Book Week Jewish Book Council


Second Week

Brain Awareness Week The European Dana Alliance for the Brain

Girl Scout Week Girl Scouts of the USA

National Aardvark Week American Assoc. of Aardvark Aficionados

National Procrastination Week Procrastinators' Club of America

National Professional Pet Sitters Week Pet Sitters International

Save Your Vision Week American Optometric Assoc.

National Science & Engineering Week


Third Week

National Manufacturing Week National Assoc. of Manufacturers

National Poison Prevention Week Presidential proclamation

Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week National Inhalant Prevention Coalition

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

American Chocolate Week Chocolate Manufacturers Assoc. of the US


Moveable Week

National Agriculture Week (falls in the week that includes March 21st) Agriculture Council of America

Enjoy March,

Annette
www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"