Hmm, only about 3 weeks away from St. Patrick's Day, are we? Whaddaya say we mull over some old-fashioned Social Media marketing plans for the day devoted to everyone's favorite Irish saint.
Certainly, if you're in the hospitality industry, your overall marketing approach and budget is already planned out for the wearin' of the green. But, is there a Social Media campaign ready to roll? I mean, c'mon, you can't have a rip-roarin' social event like a drinking holiday without plenty of Social Media action.
For many of you, given the embryonic reality of the Social Media world, this may be the first year you've been active on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Guess what? Social Media can add a whole new element of fun to the party!
Now's the time to start growing buzz among your followers and make sure they know where the party is! Will your friends be receiving any special treats for receiving your tweets? Don't forget to plot your approach throughout the day of the event itself. Will you be actively tweeting and posting throughout all the green eggs, ham, and beer debauchery? A couple of Facebook posts and random tweets mentioning a party several days before the holiday just won't cut it. Your friends are more sophisticated than that. What will you do special for them in the social media universe? How will you shine and maximize your social opportunity?
If you haven't become active with YouTube yet, contemplate dipping your toe in those waters. Anyone hosting a blow-out bash should make sure portions of the event are being filmed for post-promotion efforts as well as marketing material for next year's shindig.
Are there vendors reliant upon your business who have taken to Social Media with special relish? Vendors who may be open to partnerships and allow cross-marketing to their fans and followers in an effort to drive more customers your way?
Then, there are the countless businesses who have no relation to drinking or parties whatsoever. What unique approach will you utilize to leverage your friends and followers, i.e. customers, to spike traffic and sales that day?
The bottom line is that this is an incredibly active day with people traveling here and there, often with no plans whatsoever. A smart business owner can utilize the immediacy of Social Media to pull customers to his or her location rather than the spot across town.
And the same holds true for consumers who don't fall into the "party" mold. Many of them still desire to be out and active, even if they have no interest in heading to the madness of the pub or restaurants. Give them options. A Social holiday demands a Social Media connection.
