8 Ways to Leverage Valentine’s Day to Attract More Customers and Increase Engagement
Valentine’s Day is the ultimate celebration of love, making it the perfect opportunity for bridal stores to create memorable experiences for their customers. Whether your clients are planning a February or Spring proposal, shopping for wedding attire, or simply seeking inspiration, this holiday offers unique opportunities to elevate your store’s appeal.
Here are 8 ways to use Valentine’s Day as a way to boost customer traffic and engagement:
1. Offer Exclusive Valentine’s Discounts
Attract customers with time-sensitive Valentine’s promotions. For example, offer a percentage off bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses or accessories for purchases made on or around February 14th. Highlight these deals through email campaigns and social media posts to build excitement.
2. Host a Valentine’s Themed Trunk Show or Event
Invite your customers to a Valentine’s-themed trunk show or event featuring exclusive collections. Include pink, red, and romantic designs to align with the holiday. Offer perks like complimentary refreshments and mini makeovers to enhance the experience.
This idea can easily be used to encourage prom shoppers to buy during this month by offering fun experiences they can share with their friends at your shop. Go the extra mile and include a DJ, photo booth or fun backdrop for customers to snap a pic with and share on social media.
For all events you host at your bridal shop, think about adding this event to your online appointment booking. This ensures you know what to expect come event date and can plan your day accordingly. It also might be worth adding in a cancellation fee to ensure those that sign up, don’t ghost you in the end.
3. Host a Proposal Planning Workshop
Why not grab the soon to be fiancés attention by hosting a workshop on creating the perfect proposal. Collaborate with local vendors, such as florists and jewelers, to provide comprehensive advice or help them build on an idea they’ve been thinking about. If they are open to it, maybe sprinkle in a few “what not to do’s”. Every bride wants their proposal to feel special and unique, and no two brides are the same. Let’s help the fiances-to-be out and give them tips on how to tailor their proposal to fit their brides-to-be, hopefully.
If you store sells tuxedos or suits, this is a great way to get the men (or ladies) that attend your workshop to come back and shop for their wedding day attire.
4. Host a Sip-and-Shop Event
Invite customers to a fun and relaxed Valentine’s sip-and-shop event. Serve champagne and hors d’oeuvres while they browse your collection. Include door prizes, live music, or a photo booth for an added layer of entertainment.
Make sure this event is profitable of your time spent hosting by having brides book appointments for the event and pay a small fee to attend. You can even offer a VIB Sip-and-Shop experience that comes with a reserved fitting room.
5. Offer Free Gifts with Purchases
Delight your customers with themed freebies. Offer items like heart-shaped bridal sunglasses, candles, bath bombs or bridal robes. If you are feeling a little extra, you can create special thank-you card and write a personalized message about their shopping experience and give it to them when they come to pick up their dress. Help them capture the memory of finding ‘the one’ at your store. These small tokens of appreciation can go a long way in building customer loyalty and referrals.
You can track these free items in Poppy’s inventory and either mark them as a $0 item or discount the cost 100%. This will help you keep track of what a certain promotion cost in the end and you can then evaluate to know if you want to repeat it in the future.
6. Collaborate with Local Businesses
Like we’ve mentioned before, collaborate with your industry. Team up with other local businesses to create Valentine’s packages. For instance, partner with a spa to offer a relaxation package or a photographer for a Valentine’s-themed or special boudoir photoshoot. Joint promotions can drive traffic to your store and strengthen community ties.
7. Share Love Stories
Celebrate love by featuring the stories of your past brides on your blog or social media. Share photos, videos, or testimonials of couples who found their dream outfits at your store. This content not only inspires potential customers but also reinforces your store’s reputation and role in creating special memories.
When adding these stories to your website and social media, be sure to use keywords, @mentions, hashtags and backlinks in the appropriate content. Giving a shout out to designers, venues, and any other local business that helped the bride make their special day magical will in turn help your SEO and social media reach.
8. Host a Social Media Giveaway
Increase engagement and attract new customers by organizing a Valentine’s Day giveaway on social media. Offer prizes such as a discount codes, a free accessory, or a galentine’s gift. Encourage participants to tag friends and share the post to expand your social media reach. The more people that see you, the more opportunity they have to love your store!
February, not just Valentine’s Day, offers countless opportunities to connect with your customers on an emotional level. By incorporating creative ideas, you can enhance their bridal shopping experience, build meaningful relationships, and boost your store’s reputation. Whether through discounts, events, or personalized touches, your efforts will leave customers feeling special and excited about saying ‘yes’ to their dress and walking down the aisle.
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