Small businesses have many reasons to celebrate throughout the year. From Valentine's Day to the Fourth of July, from the Academy Awards to the World Series, there is regularly a holiday to remember or a special event to commemorate, which can actually serve as a boon for a restaurant, auto repair shop, salon, liquor store and other merchants.  Most businesses can incorporate a holiday or event into their marketing, whether through the means of a storewide sale, discounts, promotions or celebrations. There are several seasonal marketing opportunities of which businesses can take advantage to boost revenues.  Simple store design can make a difference, such as installing decorations, informing of special discounts or free coupons and samples for those just walking by the storefront.  Unsure what to do exactly? Well, here are five ways to embrace holidays and special events at your business.

Anniversary Sales

As a business owner, you are proud of each year you are in business. Celebrate with your customers to let them know you appreciate their business. A superb method to use this anniversary celebration to your advantage is to add a sale commemorating this special occasion. If you’ve been in business for 10 years, offer a 10 percent discount, a buy 10 get one free promotion or 10 discounts in 10 days. Let customers enjoy the celebration of being in business for a decade.

Sporting Events

The Super Bowl is an event that small business owners stand to significantly profit from because consumers go all out on the big sporting day: apparel, food, drinks, party supplies and much more. Why not join the fun? Offer a special promotion or throw a Super Bowl party. Even non-football fans will take advantage of this type of promotion.  Indeed, this can translate to the World Cup, NBA Finals, Olympics and so on.

Celebrating The Seasons

Seasons are the perfect excuse to run a marketing campaign. Hold winter, spring, summer and fall sales events and notify customers through direct marketing campaigns. Embracing the seasons will encourage customers to be just as celebratory as your brand is and entice them to visit your shop. After months of gray skies and frigid temperatures, your store can be that shining light for these customers.

Promotion

Most business owners understand: mobile marketing is the next big thing for retailers. If you have yet to incorporate social media and mobile advertising into your marketing plans then now is the time to do so. Tweet that you're offering a one-day sale to help welcome the weekend, announce on Facebook that your store is having an Oscar pool or share photos on Instagram of your store taking part in Valentine's Day festivities.

Here are three tips to consider before embarking upon this marketing strategy:

1. Develop a holiday, seasonal or novelty strategy (plans, goals, sales, etc.).

2. Prepare staff, organize the store and verify inventory.

3. Monitor and check the results to see what worked and what didn't.  

Not only can this give your sales a jolt, it will also create relationships with the community and establish bonds with customers. Think of the reputation your store can garner by highlighting your brand's personality.  Although it can be expensive at first to introduce décor, provide free stuff to the general public or institute social media campaigns, as time goes by you will have accumulated the necessary supplies, expertise and creativity to reduce these business costs.

Quikstone Capital Solutions has been providing small business owners with merchant cash advances to stabilize and improve their companies for more than 10 years.  If you are in need of a cash to cover unexpected costs, or if you’re looking to make long overdue improvements, fast funding with a merchant cash advance could be right for you.  With the ability to quickly qualify and get your money in a timely fashion, there is no more convenient business loan alternative.