Tag Archives: Marketing your small business

How Small Businesses Can Use Valentine’s Day to Boost Engagement

Posted on by
Reply

Valentine’s Day is a powerful seasonal opportunity for small businesses to connect with customers, build emotional loyalty, and boost engagement. When approached strategically, the holiday can help businesses stand out, attract new customers, and strengthen relationships that last well beyond February 14th. Here are a few smart ways small businesses can use Valentine’s Day to create meaningful engagement and drive results.

Think Beyond Romantic Love

Valentine’s Day has evolved. Today’s consumers celebrate many forms of love, such as friendships, family, coworkers, pets, and even self-love. Expanding your messaging beyond romantic partners allows your business to appeal to a wider audience and feel more inclusive.

Consider promoting:

  • Galentine’s Day gifts or experiences.
  • Self-care services or “treat yourself” offerings.
  • Gifts for family members or pets.

When customers see your business as part of their meaningful moments, engagement naturally increases.

Create Limited Time Offers

Seasonal promotions give customers a reason to take action. Valentine’s Day is a great time to introduce themed bundles, special pricing, or limited time packages that feel timely and thoughtful.

Ideas may include:

  • Pairing complementary products or services.
  • Offering Valentine’s Day gift bundles.
  • Creating a short-term promotion that encourages early purchases or that lasts throughout this year’s long holiday weekend.

These offers add urgency and keep your business top of mind during a busy shopping period.

Use Social Media to Spark Conversation

Valentine’s Day generates strong activity on social media, making it a great time to engage your audience. Interactive content encourages participation and helps extend your reach organically.

Try these out:

  • Asking customers to share who or what they love.
  • Hosting a simple giveaway or themed contest.
  • Running polls or questions related to Valentine’s plans.

These campaigns help build community while increasing visibility for your brand.

Partner with Other Local Businesses

Collaborating with other local businesses can amplify your Valentine’s impact. Cross-promotions or shared packages introduce your brand to new audiences, while also strengthening relationships within your community.

Examples can include:

  • Joint promotions with complementary businesses.
  • Co-hosted events or giveaways.
  • Shared marketing efforts across social channels or via joint emails.

Local partnerships can make the experience more valuable for customers and reinforce your role in the community.

Personalize Your Messaging

Valentine’s Day is rooted in connection, making it the perfect time to personalize your communication. Thoughtful messages will show customers that you value them beyond the transaction.

This could include:

  • A Valentine’s Day email with a personalized offer.
  • Special recognition for loyal customers.
  • Tailored recommendations based on past purchases or services.

Personal touches help customers feel seen and appreciated, in turn increasing engagement and trust.

Start Early and Stay Consistent

Valentine’s Day marketing works best when it starts early. Many customers plan ahead, especially when it comes to gifts, experiences, or reservations. Beginning your outreach in late January or early February allows you to stay visible and relevant throughout the decision-making process. Multiple touchpoints leading up to the holiday help reinforce your message and keep your business top of mind. If you missed the opportunity this year, save these ideas for next year or another upcoming holiday your business may be able to benefit from in 2026.

Turning Seasonal Moments into Long-Term Growth

Valentine’s Day gives small businesses the opportunity to lean into creativity and emotional connection. When done well, it’s not just about a single day or weekend of sales, it’s about building relationships that support long-term success.

At First Financial, we’re proud to support small businesses as they grow and adapt. Our Business Checking Accounts are designed to help Monmouth and Ocean County business owners manage their cash flow, streamline operations, and prepare for seasonal opportunities. With the right financial tools in place, you can focus more on engaging your customers and building a business you love.

Ready to get started? Visit your local branch, call 732.312.1500, or check out our website to find out how you can become a business member today.*

*A First Financial membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account. Other terms & conditions may apply, see credit union for details.

How Small Businesses Can Stand Out This Back-to-School Season

Posted on by
Reply

Businesses that take advantage of holidays and key seasons where shopper demand tends to increase, typically see more shoppers and in turn – more sales. Customers are already shopping for back-to-school, so using strategies that will propel your business into the spotlight can help you earn a slice of that spending pie – which is estimated to reach $39 billion this year. And the best part is, your business doesn’t have to sell school supplies or first day of school outfits to join in. Here are five strategies your small business can use this back-to-school season.

1. Contests and Giveaways

Contests and giveaways are typically a win-win for both you and your customers. Your customers will have the chance to engage with your business and potentially receive a prize in return, which will help get the word out about your business and hopefully attract new patrons. One contest idea for this time of year, might be entering all who make a purchase and post a photo using a specific hashtag – into a drawing for a free backpack filled with school supplies. If you’re looking to connect with a specific type of customer, such as a teacher – think about offering a gift card for classroom supplies to an educator who posts their classroom, again using a specific hashtag. #PeopleLoveFreeStuff.

2. Create In-Store Experiences

If you have a storefront, you have a unique opportunity to create in-store back-to-school themed experiences for your customers. For example, you could invite a local teacher or school administrator to host a session for parents and students. Or, you could set up a back-to-school themed photo op within your store for customers to take pictures. Bonus points if they post the pictures and tag your business! Whether your customers didn’t know you had these experiences until they were already in the door, or they came to your business knowing you did – this shows your clientele that you care and are community focused too.

3. Offer Discounts

Back-to-school shopping is typically a family’s second-largest annual spending event and parents are understandably looking to save where they can. That’s where your business comes in – even if you don’t directly offer school essentials. You can encourage first-time shoppers to return to your store a second time, by offering them a back-to-school seasonal discount. For example – try using email or social media to offer a percentage or dollar amount off the next purchase, or a free product or service if they bring in their receipt from the last purchase. If you are targeting parents, show them how the savings they may get by shopping with you – can be put back into their budget elsewhere.

4. Special Bundles

Messaging is key. You might be thinking, “What does my pool cleaning company have to do with back-to-school?” The answer is everything – kind of.

If your business offers a product that is needed by parents, children, or educators during back-to-school season – offer them a bundle on your services. This can add value when you show your potential customers that you can save them money or trips to the store, just by choosing your business. Going back to our original example, if you own a pool cleaning company – offer a discounted bundle on early September pool skimming and equipment maintenance to save busy working parents from having to do it themselves. It’s all about how you market your business, and show how it’s relevant – in any season.

5. Don’t Forget Your Existing Customers

As a small business, your repeat customers are some of your best advocates. You have already earned their trust, they spend money at your business, and they promote your brand to others free-of-charge – so be sure to thank them for it! Offer special discounts or deals for returning customers as a way to say thank you for supporting your business, and showing them that you want to make back-to-school season a little easier on their wallets.

The excitement and nerves of back-to-school season are feelings that many people resonate with all-too-well. If your business can lean into the excitement and ease some of those nerves by offering shoppers what they need when they need it, you may be able to capitalize on back-to-school season and continue building a loyal customer base well into the future.

Learn more about how First Financial can help support your small business by emailing us at business@firstffcu.com. Be sure to check out all of our small business services on our website. For better business banking, Think First!