As the temperature rises and the sun shines brighter, it's not just the heat that's heating up this summer. With major sports events like the Olympics in France, UEFA's European Championship in Germany and Conmebol's Copa América in the United States, there's a palpable buzz in the air that businesses can tap into. From sports bars to retailers, the opportunities to capitalize on the excitement are abundant.
In this blog post, we'll explore strategies and tips to help businesses score big during these thrilling events, ensuring they not only keep pace but also thrive in the competitive summer market. So, lace up your boots and get ready to kick-start your business to victory!
Create Sports-Themed Promotions
Design special promotions that tie into the sports events, offering discounts on products related to the teams or athletes playing or themed merchandise. Consider bundling related products together in themed packages, offering convenience and value to customers looking to gear up for the games.
Host In-Store Events or Promotions
Leverage in-store events or promotions around major game days, inviting customers to shop while enjoying the excitement of the events. Offer refreshments, giveaways, and interactive experiences to enhance the shopping experience. Partner with local sports personalities or influencers to make guest appearances or host meet-and-greet sessions, attracting fans and driving foot traffic to your store.
Leverage Social Media and Online Engagement
Use social media platforms to showcase your sports-themed products and promotions, engaging with followers through creative content, polls, and contests. Encourage customers to share photos of themselves wearing or using your products while watching the games, using event-specific hashtags to increase visibility and reach.
Offer Convenient Shopping Options
Provide online shopping options for customers who prefer to shop from the comfort of their homes. Highlight your sports-themed products prominently on your website and offer special online-exclusive deals. Implement curbside pickup or same-day delivery services to accommodate last-minute shoppers or customers who want to receive their purchases quickly.
But of course, you need to align your strategy with the channels you're already using. Here's some tips for in-app messages, digital passes, push, email and SMS campaigns.
In-App Messages:
- Exclusive Offers: Utilize in-app messages to inform users about special promotions, discounts, or exclusive offers related to the sports events. Something like: "Gear up for the EURO 2024! Shop our exclusive collection of fan merchandise and enjoy 20% off for a limited time."
- Foster Interactions: Create interactive content such as quizzes or polls related to the events to keep users engaged within the app. For example, "Think you know the game? Test your sports knowledge with our Copa América trivia challenge! Answer correctly and earn exclusive discounts on your next purchase."
Digital Passes:
- Personalized Discounts: Offer digital passes or coupons that provide discounts or rewards for users who engage with your app during specific sports events. Simple one-to-many passes distributed following a quiz triggered by an in-app message.
- Time-Limited Offers: Create limited-time offers tied to the duration of the events to create a sense of urgency and drive immediate action. Employ automatic card expiration to facilitate the management of digital passes seamlessly.
Push Notifications
- Pre-Event Hype: Send out push notifications to your app users leading up to the major sports events, creating excitement and anticipation. Use catchy phrases like "Game On! Get Ready for the Action!" to grab attention.
- Exclusive Offers: Offer exclusive deals or discounts to users who enable push notifications. For example, "Unlock Special Discounts for Game Day - Tap to Save Now!"
- Live Updates: During the events, send real-time updates and scores to keep users engaged. Include links to relevant products or services, such as "Catch the Game While Enjoying 20% Off Wings - Order Now!"
Email Campaigns
- Countdown Emails: Send out countdown emails as the event approaches, building anticipation and reminding subscribers not to miss out. Use subject lines like "Just 3 Days Until Kickoff! Don't Miss Our Game Day Specials."
- Fan Engagement: Encourage subscribers to share their excitement for the event by hosting contests or polls related to the games. For instance, "Predict the Winner and Win Big - Reply to Enter!"
- Post-Event Recap: After the event, send a follow-up email thanking subscribers for their support and offering post-game deals or promotions. Include highlights from the event to reignite excitement.
SMS Marketing
- Personalized Invitations: Send personalized SMS invites to loyal customers inviting them to watch the games at your establishment or participate in related promotions. For example, "Hey [Name], Join Us for Game Night This Friday & Enjoy Exclusive Deals!"
- Last-Minute Reminders: Send out last-minute reminders to subscribers about upcoming games or events, prompting them to take action. Use concise and impactful messages like "Game Day Tomorrow! Don't Miss Out - Reserve Your Spot Now!"
- VIP Access: Offer VIP access or early bird deals to subscribers who opt-in to receive SMS notifications. Create a sense of exclusivity by sending messages like "VIP Alert: Be the First to Access Our Game Day Specials - Reply VIP to Join!"
Get ready for the final sprint
By integrating these strategies across push notifications, email campaigns, and SMS marketing, businesses can effectively engage their audience, drive traffic, and capitalize on the excitement surrounding major sports events this summer. And don't forget, keep your promotions and events aligned with the spirit of the games to resonate with sports fans and enthusiasts in your target market.
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