Creative Dates for Innovative Marketing
MARCH | APRIL
National Ethics Awareness Month
Do the right thing
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Although the Bernie Madoffs of the world give business a bad name, you needn't sit there and take it.
March is the perfect time for firms to dust off their company mission statement and run a corporate
communications program. Let the business community — be they vendors, clients or competitors — know
your values and morals will not be compromised for a quick buck. Wall plaques or USB drives containing
your mission statement can be sent to a select pool of recipients. It’s also a good time to run eco-friendly
promotions with imprintable earth-friendly products; your distributor can help you locate plenty of items
that fit the bill.
American Red Cross Month
The gift of life
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Every president since FDR has signed and issued a proclamation declaring March as American Red Cross Month. Besides blood drives, the Red Cross provides shelter, food and emotional support to victims of disasters. This month is the perfect time for companies to run community outreach programs, whether it's hosting blood drives or volunteering at local shelters. Your distributor partner can help you develop a plan that can include a number of imprinted products to thank volunteers (think polo shirts or heart-shaped lapel pins) or comfort those in need (plush toys, fleece blankets, warm slipper-socks).
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National Write A Letter Of Appreciation Week
Dear valued customer ...
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When was the last time your company ran a focused customer appreciation campaign? If it's been a while, then this week is the perfect time for you to revisit the effort. A handwritten note on corporate letterhead goes a lot further than a hastily created e-mail. Include a fine writing instrument with the letter; the gift will be appreciated and create bulk for the mailing. Or ask your distributor about a logoed tin of greetings cards you can give to your clients so they'll have them on hand when they need to send someone a note.
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I Want You To Be Happy Day
C'mon, smile ...
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With so much doom and gloom in the world and on TV, it's no wonder that people are having a difficult time being happy. But you can change all that with a goodwill campaign. Use today to spreadcheer and happiness. And believe it or not, a simple smiley face button can go a long way in brightening someone's day. Your distributor partner will help you secure smiley face buttons with your company logo on them.
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Make A Referral Week
Thanks for the tip
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A warm referral, as opposed to a cold call, is worth its weight in gold. Most businesses thrive on them. Hold a sales incentive contest, rewarding reps who bring in the most referrals. You can also recognize clients for the referrals they give you this week. Your distributor partner can help you find high-end gifts and awards for everyone involved.
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Organize Your Home Office Day
A place for everything, and everything in its place
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There are an estimated 34 million home offices in this country, and their inhabitants are taking the time today to clear the clutter, purge old files and just get everything in order. If your company provides business products and services — computer services, office furniture/equipment, accounting services, etc. — develop a marketing campaign that targets home office dwellers. Imprinted desk accessories or calendars will be a yearly reminder of what you can do for them.
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St. Patrick's Day
Erin go bragh
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The wearing o'the green is a yearly tradition that most people enjoy. Consider a green-themed mass marketing effort today that gets your company name out to as many people as possible. Or hit the streets and pass out logoed tattoos in the shape of shamrocks at one of the hundreds of parades held today. Better yet, sponsor a float and toss shamrockshaped lollipops — your distributor knows where to get them — to the people lining the route.
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Passover
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International Customer Loyalty Month
In appreciation of ...
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Although treating your customers right is something that should be a year-round undertaking, consider this month the time to kick it up a notch. A customer appreciation campaign can highlight the quality of your products as well as the service you provide. Use the entire month to connect with active and dormant accounts by making face-to-face appearances at their offices. Bring gifts like food baskets and coffee, including logoed mugs and napkins, and let the feasting commence.
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April Fool's Day
The joke's on you
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There's nothing better than a good joke today. Remember when Taco Bell ran a full-page ad stating that they had purchased the Liberty Bell, thus changing the name to the Taco Liberty Bell? Classic. Though you needn't go to those lengths, today would be the perfect day to launch an employee safety program. Announce the program — "Safety, It's No Joke" — with a product people will keep at a desk or workstation to remind them to work safely.
Develop a tiered system where employees will be rewarded with logoed products for attaining certain goals. Your distributor partner can help develop the entire thing and secure the imprinted products.
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Good Friday / Easter Sunday
5-11
National Networking Week
Pleased to meet you
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Take this week as your opportunity to host a networking event. Invite the staff of local businesses, vendors, clients and potential clients to tour your building. Provide a luncheon or cocktail reception where people can mingle and talk. The connections made might come in handy down the road. Provide logoed business card holders for all attendees.
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Income Tax Day
A place for everything, and everything in its place
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It's time to pay the piper. While no one likes parting with hard-earned cash, today is the perfect day for people to start thinking about tomorrow. Financial institutions, accounting firms and credit unions could launch financial wellness campaigns today. Your distributor partner can help you secure a number of products like calculators, financial planners and savings guides to give to clients who sign up for your products and services.
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Administrative Professionals Day
The backbone of the office
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Traditionally held the Wednesday of Administrative Professionals Week (April 19-23), today is a day to honor those unsung heroes who are the glue that holds everything together. Think of all those helpful faces that your company encounters throughout the year at client and vendor offices. They’d surely appreciate gifts like candles, lapel pins and corporate apparel, all of which can be logoed and procured through your distributor.
National Humor Month
Nyuk, nyuk nyuk
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April is a time to celebrate joy and the therapeutic value of laughter — a natural time for comics and comedy clubs
to tout their shows. But it's also a good time for doctors, gyms, spas and physical therapists to hold health and
wellness campaigns that have a humorous bent. While flyers, posters and handouts can be fun and silly, the imprinted
products used can focus on the healthy aspect. Calorie guides, pedometers and workout apparel can carry logos
specifically created for the event. Call your distributor now to start planning.
