March On With Marketing Ideas

By Maria Evans

   

Spring can signal new beginnings for your business. And there is no month as chock-full of marketing opportunities as March.

Especially in these pandemic times, notable days offer you a great opportunity to engage people on social media, in advertising and in person -- in every way you touch your customers and the community. These thematic takes can make your services, special offers or your company stand out.

To better promote your business, include hashtags to give your social media mentions greater reach. Add location to social media to allow potential nearby customers to discover you.

Consider these month-long options or pick a day -- one special day -- to connect with your customers and community in a more memorable way:  

 

March 2

Read Across America Day

A day to celebrate education. Tie into events at libraries, bookstores, childcare centers and schools. Post quotes by famous authors or favorite Dr. Seussisms. Arrange for people to drop off books to donate to Philadelphia Reads https://readingrecycled.org/ or

for another worthwhile nonprofit.

 

March 3

World Wildlife Day

Raise awareness about wildlife protection online and support local wildlife conservation projects by coordinating volunteers or donating a share of profits to a good cause. Share fun facts about wildlife. Invite followers to name animals or add “quotes’ to photos of wild animals.

 

March 8

International Women’s Day

Declared a national holiday in Russia in 1917, it was adopted in 1975 by the United Nations. You, too, can honor the women in your company or industry who have made an impact. Or celebrate women who have contributed to history and society today. Use numbers to demonstrate then and now – and how women’s contributions have changed.

 

March 9 (second Tuesday)

Organize your Home Office Day

Of course, organizers can peg specials to this date but anyone selling office supplies, equipment and furniture can capitalize on the connection. Ask customers for before and after photos to post and reward them with a branded organizer – so many to choose from. And this year, ask people to share their best surviving-quarantine-working-from-home tips!

 

 

March 14

Pi Day

Pi (calculated to 2 decimal places) is 3.14 and represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It’s a fun reason to celebrate science and math – and pies. Pizzerias, bakeries and restaurants can offer specials on pies or pie-making classes. Childcare centers, tutors and schools can highlight significant scientists or play math games. Celebrate the winners. Give all participants a piece of pie.

 

Also, this year, on March 14, Daylight Saving Time begins (second Sunday)

 

March 17

St. Patrick’s Day

Tie into the luck of the Irish with special deals and “save green” offers. Even during Covid times, you can promote Irish food and drink, classes, travels and treats -- virtually. Other businesses can highlight Irish poets and writers, dance, music and legends. Post brief videos. Memes were made for this holiday!

 

March 18

World Sleep Day

Recognize the importance of mental health and the role of sleep. A natural reason to offer sales for those who sell beds, mattresses and linens – but also a great fit for yoga studios, wellness centers, counseling centers, schools and even places of worship. Offer mediation and tips. Give away adult stress-reduction coloring books. Great match for farms and nurseries that sell calm-inducing lavender products.

 

March 19

St. Joseph’s Day

Growing up in South Philly, we were more apt to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day with Zeppole di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph Day cakes) than St. Patrick’s with corned beef and cabbage. Today, you can celebrate all things Italian, especially delectable edibles. A natural for Insta and Pinterest posts.

 

March 20

First Day of Spring

Celebrate the end of winter by posting the photos of the first blooms of spring – or deliver small local bouquets to your best, favorite or new customers. Consider posting eye-catching time-lapse videos of flowers opening and invite followers to share the hopeful images.

 

March 21

World Poetry Day

Celebrate poetry and its creative and cultural connection to theater, dance and music. Post videos of brief performances, post couplets or haikus on social media. Have a contest on a topic related to your business and award a bookshop gift card or tickets to a virtual local performance. Share fun facts. Did you know US poet Louise Gluck won the 2020 Nobel Prize? Now you do.

 

March 23

National Puppy Day

Awww…..this is too “dog-gone” cute! Founder Colleen Paige wanted to encourage people to adopt the many dogs that need to be rescued. Whatever your business, you can bring attention to dogs in need.  

If you’re dog walker, groomer, daycare, sitter or pet store, snap photos of your pups and post them to Instagram, tagging your customers to cultivate those relationships – and attract new customers. Hashtag your location so nearly potential customers can discover you. Offer a one-day sale to new customers or make a donation to a dog rescue on this day.

If you don’t have a dog-centered business, you can still show off your employees’ pups or take photos of your own to give people a more personal view of your life.

 

March 29

National Mom and Pop Business Owner Day

• We all know Small Business Saturday in the fall; this day celebrates the entrepreneurs who build the businesses that mean the most to our towns. Briefly tell your story: why did you open your business?
• Post links to local small businesses you appreciate – and ask them to reciprocate. Explain why you think they’re so special.
• Announce a change you’re putting in place to better serve your customers.
• Brainstorm which other special days make sense for your business, your brand and your audience. Your specific industry may even have a holiday, such as National Toothache Day (February 9) for dentists.

Or opt for a month-long campaign, such as:

March Madness

From Selection Sunday on March 14 through the championship game on April 5, consider a campaign aligned with the NCAA men’s college basketball. There are plenty of ways to engage customers and prospects:

• Create a March Madness bracket to go with your business. For example, restaurants can have diners choose between two house specialties or boutiques could have people pick between two designs. A great way to collect contact info and give a prize to one who picked the winner – or discounts to all.
• Have Mad Mondays where employees wear clothing or colors of their favorite team, then post photos of them on social media with the hashtag for the team they support. Start a conversation.
• If you have a physical store – or can use a virtual game – combine shooting a basketball or guessing how many chocolate basketballs are in a draw or other game to determine a discount or special offer to all comers. The more a customer or prospect engages with you, the more loyal they will be.

 

National Nutrition Month

• A natural for restaurants, grocery stores, health food suppliers, fitness centers even hospitals – but also for any business supporting a healthy mind or body. You can also share your personal commitment to health to help customers know you better.
• Post recipes or meals on Pinterest and Instagram and offer nutrition tips and exercises.
• Reward followers with coupons or extras to encourage them to share their best ideas. Lead the way for your customers and community to live better.

 

Maria Evans teaches Managerial Communications in the newly launched Master’s in Management and Organizational Leadership Program as well as Marketing Management and Crisis Communication in the MBA Program at Delaware Valley University.