ALL CONTENT AND PHOTOS WRITTEN AND SUBMITTED BY NIALA RAMKALLAWAN
Every country in the world is captivated by the tradition, sentiment and allure of Valentine’s Day and all it brings. Originally, a day dedicated to lovers struck by Cupid’s arrow has now shifted to a festive occasion enjoyed and celebrated by one and all. In the present day, Valentine’s is considered as a time to extend appreciation, reverence and affection to those who impact on your life in some way or the other.
Over the years, the popularity of this day has grown exponentially, where individuals are inclined to display their love through grand gestures, each year surpassing that of the previous one. This month of Love also brings an increasing demand for products, both goods and services within the market, thus becoming extensively commercial by nature, as consumers are wrapped up in their quest for that ideal gift.
Amidst the current economic climate in our twin isle Republic, for this occasion consumers seek to get value for their money when purchasing that sentimental gift, creating that perfect ambiance, setting the right mood or making that impressive gesture a reality, ranging from an array of elegant floral bouquets, imported chocolates, affectionate greeting cards, exclusive jewellery to other countless tokens of love delivered to workplaces, homes, in the street, and even across the seas.
The key question is: As entrepreneurs, how do we prepare for this Month of Love?
Well for starters, we need to definitely rework our existing strategy to benefit from this booming business of love.
Profitable Tips For Entrepreneurs This February:
1. Do your homework - Research trends, look into what’s popular, focus on unrivaled marketing and selling strategies, pay attention to complementary items, as well as, substitute products, and observe competitors’ products and prices.
2. Eye-catching wrapping - Spruce up your packaging. Let it appeal to customers’ emotions, and ensure your product is visually appealing. Customers shop with their eyes, so the use of popping colours, along with the traditional red, pink and white, or synonymous symbols such as hearts, cupid’s arrows and roses will create that effect. If you can’t access seasonal packaging or your budget is tight, don’t stress, just pursue less costly alternatives by adding heart-shaped gift tags.
3. Set yourself apart - Offer personalized options on pieces such as engraving, embroidery, laser printing, etc. making it exclusive for individuals, couples and families alike.
4. Be flexible - Tailor packages upon special request once it’s feasible, within your scope and expertise, deliver on it. Remember, you are the best at what you do, hence they choose you over your competitors and substitute products. Also, offer packages to cater to various income levels as you want to capture the attention and buying power of your target market and audience.
5. Advertise combo packages - When possible, offer couples’ deals or packages. If your product can’t be adapted to Valentine’s, design and implement a marketing and sales strategy that will. You can either partner or collaborate with other entrepreneurs to offer deals, discounts, coupons, and even special rates.
6. Throw in something extra - This one goes with the proverb, ‘the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach’. Feel free to give food and beverage samples of wine, chocolate, cookies, candy, cupcakes or any edible treats to your customers. As said by Canva Co-founder Melanie Perkins, “If you can offer a free tier that provides a lot of value, it will help your product spread much more rapidly.”
7. Get creative - Use your Imagination, make it a Fantastic February. Albert Einstein speaks of this perfectly when he says, “Imagination is everything. It is a preview of life’s coming attractions.” Now’s a good a time as any to bump up those sales and spice up your marketing. If you can’t express love directly, do it indirectly through your social media handles to impress your target audience, increase your business reach and gain that competitive edge.
With this in mind, I Challenge You for the month of Love to incorporate at least one of the Profitable Tips mentioned above.
Remember, it’s always crucial that you deliver exceptional customer service throughout the year, nonetheless, place a greater emphasis on special occasions and seasonal demand. Think about it this way:
“No matter how many customers you have, each is an individual. The day you start thinking of them as this amorphous ‘collection’ and stop thinking of them as people, is the day you start going out of business.” - Dharmesh Shah, Co-Founder of HubSpot
Source:
https://marketingartfully.com/love-valentines-day-quotes-pictures-for-small-business/
About Niala
I am a Freelance MSE & Social Media Advisor, the Owner/Founder of Gia’s Creative Studio and YBTT Mentor/Advisor providing ‘Insights from a Creative Entrepreneur’ on transformational leadership, strategy, forging a legacy, motivation and success.
Niala Ramkallawan, MBA, BSc.
You can find me on:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/niala-r-71b12742/
YBTT - https://ybcaribbean.skysthelimit.org/volunteer-profile/15317
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/giascreativestudio/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/giascreativestudio.868/
