Graduation Marketing Ideas
During May and June families and students celebrate high school and college graduations. Get ideas on how to market effectively during this time of year.
TIP: Think about what your customers want to accomplish - their end in mind - for honoring their graduatesIn marketing this is called "solution selling" or "product bundles". This is an example below of what a gardening store might do to put things together to create a more interesting gift (and while doing so, increase the amount of money someone is spending at their store).
What is a relevant "bundle" for someone to give a graduate?
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A briefcase and things in it.
- Partner with a company that offers business cards to offer those too. Many of these companies have affiliate marketing programs so you'll get paid for these recommendations.
- A fun day to celebrate with suggestions and gift cards to restaurants and attractions.
- A book on how to manage your money with a wallet or money clip.
- Clothes and suggestions for how to dress for success for job interviews.
- A photo frame with a photo of you with the graduate or a coupon for a photo session at a photo studio.
- Things you'll need at college...for the high school graduate. Bed, Bath & Beyond does a great job of giving students and their parents a list of suggested items that will make a dorm room like home. You can do this too.
- A savings bond from a local bank along with a book on money management.
- A day of beauty - coupons for hair style appointment, manicure and pedicure, make-up application lesson. Suggest the graduates do this with their best friends as a group!
- Graduation party - bundle everything together and merchandise it together for a perfect graduation party.
- Learn more about Solution Selling and Bundling Products
Upselling ideas for graduation gifts
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Upselling with Good, Better, Best Options
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Get tips on how to increase sales by presenting good/better/best options. In the industry this is known as outselling.
Know this: These ideas of solution selling and outselling work for businesses selling products as well as those selling services. Ideally your solution should include both products and services. Think beyond what you offer and figure out who you can partner with to offer a "total solution" for what the customer wants. That saves them time and makes them shop prices less. You are "one stop". You'll increase the amount they spend by doing this and make them a happier customer, maybe even an Advocate who will go out and spread positive word-of-mouth online and in person. -
Specific ideas for retailers and restaurants
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Best marketing ideas for retail stores
- You'll want to read this! More than 45 ideas to help you with retail store marketing to attract more customers to your retail store and generate more business and referrals from your existing customers.
More ideas to help you with marketing to graduates
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Advertising
- Advertising How-to Guide for Small Business explains the options for advertising along with the pros, cons and alternatives to consider
- Best Free and Low Cost Advertising gives you ideas and advice on how to save money
- Want more ideas for how to increase sales throughout the year? Check out all the Marketing Zone articles on How to Increase Sales
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Social Media Marketing
- Learn about what works, what doesn't and cautions about social media marketing using tools like Facebook, Twitter, Group and Foursquare.
- Social Media Marketing How-to Guide for Small Business
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Small business marketing
- This is our "must do" list of what will have the best return on both your time and money in marketing your small business. Use this checklist to grade yourself on what you're doing and what you need to be doing to grow your business.
More how-to marketing guides to help
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