Businesses interested in helping the nation’s 46 million pandemic parents of children under 14 years of age with increased back-to-school-related stress might consider hosting events that incorporate educational tools along with a bit of fun. Consider activities like:
- Morning Bell Breakfast: Think local celebrity chef Small Plate demos or a cross-promotion with a popular breakfast restaurant, expert speakers and education, gift certificates, etc. aimed at parent’s post bus pick-up or school drop-off. Ask your local school if they would welcome sponsorship of an on-site event for parents (along with business-produced flyers, announcements, etc.)
- Monday Mocktails: Think local celebrity chef Small Plate demos or a cross-promotion with a popular eatery, expert speakers and education, gift certificates, etc. Ask your local school if they would welcome sponsorship of an on-site event for parents too (along with business-produced flyers, announcements, etc.)
- Transition Tuesdays or Thursdays: Think light snacks, expert speakers (perhaps school nurse or teacher), and take-away tips regarding how to ease back-to-school transitions, as well as a complementary social media posting plan. Start 3 -4 weeks prior to school opening.
- Mojo Yoga Events: In-store events, as well as online family yoga pose challenges and related social media posting strategies.
- Ugly Sweatpants Contest: In-store event and educational series promoting positive parental mental health
- Coffee Sleeve Promos: Print and distribute free coffee sleeves (with coupon and one back-to-school tip) to local area coffee shops willing to partner on sleep education efforts.
- Bedtime Bingo: Print themed bingo cards and incorporate back-to-school tips, trivia and education
- Signature Gift-Item: Create a signature gift item for distribution to those who participate in your sponsored campaign(s), like Serta’s Sleep Sheep
- Operation Round-Up: Invite consumers to “round-up” purchases to the nearest dollar in support of local mental health charities.
- Social Media: Promote a themed hashtag for back-to-school-related social media posts. Utilize free area event calendars to promote your efforts, but be respectful of guidelines that prohibit commercial messaging.
Don’t be afraid to inject humor into your back-to-school campaign. Parents respond to activities that look fun, interesting, and don’t eat up a lot of their day. Photo courtesy of Bored Panda. Check out their back-to-school photo contest!
Don’t forget to complement your planned activities with in-store signage with powerful graphics and short educational messaging to promote your campaign.
Also, consider utilizing a press release containing compelling hooks (See Cision.-created guide)
Our Get Listed pro tips provide CBD and cannabis brands with proven methods to get listed on local event calendars. No time? No sweat! We can help. Ask us about our event marketing support.
Editor’s Note: Jackie Berg is the Co-Founder and CMO of CBD Marketing Hub l Cannabis Marketing-Hub. You can reach her or anyone on the team at cbdmarketinghub.com or by email at: hello@cbdmarketinghub.com
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