Podcast Summary: "BOOST YOUR MARKETING WITH HOLIDAYS! Clint Fontanella on Seasonal Strategies"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Small Business Quick WINS w/ Jay Schwedelson Presented By Thryv
- Host: Jay Schwedelson
- Guest: Clint Fontanella, Content Expert at Thrive
- Episode Title: BOOST YOUR MARKETING WITH HOLIDAYS! Clint Fontanella on Seasonal Strategies
- Release Date: February 13, 2025
Introduction to Seasonal Marketing
In this engaging episode of Small Business Quick WINS, host Jay Schwedelson teams up with Clint Fontanella, Thrive’s content expert, to explore the powerful impact of seasonal marketing on small business growth. The duo delves into how leveraging both traditional and unconventional holidays can significantly boost customer engagement and drive business success.
The Power of Seasonal Marketing
Jay opens the discussion by emphasizing the significance of aligning marketing efforts with seasonal events, even if they seem unrelated to the business’s primary offerings. He states, “Your marketing is at the center of your business. It drives your business” (00:00). This sets the stage for a comprehensive conversation on integrating seasonal themes into various marketing strategies.
Leveraging Traditional Holidays
Clint concurs, highlighting that seasonal marketing allows businesses to view their customer lifecycle through a different lens. He mentions, “Seasonal marketing is a way to say, 'Hey, let's think about the timeliness of it versus some of the other components in marketing'" (03:20). The discussion moves to practical applications, such as using heart emojis in email subject lines around Valentine’s Day to increase open rates. Jay provides a relatable example: “Love is in the inbox and this deal won't last” (03:36), illustrating how thematic elements can capture customer attention without being overtly salesy.
Tapping into "Fake" Holidays for Maximum Engagement
One of the episode's highlights is the exploration of “fake” or lesser-known holidays that can provide unique marketing opportunities. Jay introduces the concept with enthusiasm: “There are these fake holidays... even if they're not fully recognized, incorporating them into your marketing can do really well” (05:02). He cites Random Act of Kindness Day (February 17th) and National Pi Day (March 14th) as prime examples. Clint shares a personal anecdote about a company leveraging Pablo Picasso's birthday to promote custom prints, which unexpectedly increased site traffic (05:55).
Practical Strategies and Examples
The conversation includes actionable strategies for integrating seasonal themes into marketing campaigns:
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Emojis and Thematic Language: Using relevant emojis and catchy phrases related to the holiday can make marketing messages stand out. For instance, Jay suggests email subject lines like “3.14 reasons you'll love this deal” for Pi Day (07:05).
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Aligning with Sporting Events: March Madness serves as another powerful tool for engagement. Jay remarks, “Jumping on board that with your marketing... is a win” (07:24), suggesting that even non-traditional businesses can find creative ways to incorporate such events into their campaigns.
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Audience-Centric Approach: Clint emphasizes the importance of understanding your audience’s interests. He advises, “Researching your customer journey and just thinking about... is a slam dunk if I can” (08:26). This ensures that seasonal marketing efforts resonate authentically with the target demographic.
Leveraging Technology for Seasonal Ideas
As a practical takeaway, Jay recommends using AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm relevant holidays and promotional ideas tailored to a specific business. He explains, “Whatever industry you're in... ChatGPT will give you back a list of all the upcoming holidays with dates and how ridiculous these fake holidays are” (09:04). This approach allows businesses to discover unique marketing opportunities they might not have considered otherwise.
Conclusion and Actionable Takeaways
In wrapping up the episode, Clint directs listeners to Thrive’s blog for more seasonal marketing content, ensuring that small business owners have access to continuous support and fresh ideas. Jay encourages listeners to experiment with seasonal themes to break the monotony of their marketing efforts and enhance customer engagement.
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace Seasonal Marketing: Align your marketing strategies with both traditional and unconventional holidays to capture customer interest.
- Be Creative and Authentic: Use thematic elements like emojis or catchy phrases that resonate with the holiday while staying true to your brand.
- Leverage AI Tools: Utilize tools like ChatGPT to identify relevant holidays and generate promotional ideas tailored to your business.
- Understand Your Audience: Research your customer base to ensure that the seasonal themes you adopt align with their interests and preferences.
- Stay Consistent with Content: Regularly update your marketing content to incorporate seasonal elements, ensuring sustained engagement throughout the year.
Notable Quotes
- Jay Schwedelson: “Your marketing is at the center of your business. It drives your business.” (00:00)
- Clint Fontanella: “Seasonal marketing is a way to think about the timeliness of it versus some of the other components in marketing.” (03:20)
- Jay Schwedelson: “Love is in the inbox and this deal won't last.” (03:36)
- Jay Schwedelson: “There are these fake holidays... incorporating them into your marketing can do really well.” (05:02)
- Jay Schwedelson: “National Pi Day... 3.14 reasons you'll love this deal.” (07:05)
- Clint Fontanella: “Researching your customer journey... is a slam dunk if I can.” (08:26)
- Jay Schwedelson: “ChatGPT will give you back a list of all the upcoming holidays with dates and how ridiculous these fake holidays are.” (09:04)
Stay Connected: For more insights and actionable tips on seasonal marketing and small business growth, visit Clint Fontanella’s blog at thrive.com/blog. Subscribe to Small Business Quick WINS to ensure you never miss an episode packed with strategies to elevate your business.