Make the Most of the Back-to-School Season (Even If You Don't Sell School Supplies)

As the new school year approaches, businesses across all industries can tap into the back-to-school buzz by leveraging creative marketing strategies. With U.S. consumers projected to spend over $38.8 billion this season, there’s still time to implement impactful campaigns that resonate with your audience. Here’s how you can create a robust Back-to-School (BTS) marketing strategy that stands out.

1. No school products? No problem.

Even if your business doesn't sell school supplies, think about how your products or services can solve a problem or enhance the back-to-school experience. Whether it's offering a unique service, partnering with complementary brands, or simply tying into the theme, there’s always a way to make your mark during this busy season.

If your inventory lacks traditional back-to-school items, think outside the box to connect your offerings with the season.

‍Example Text Campaign:

"Taco 'Bout Learning 🌮 📕 ✏️ Enjoy 15% OFF your order and make the first week back-to-school delicious! Click here: [Link] to order now."

Real-World Inspiration: Instacart's "You’ve Got This, Parents"

Instacart launched the "You’ve Got This, Parents" campaign to help busy families tackle the challenge of school lunches. Their AI-powered "Ask Instacart" feature allows parents to search for lunch ideas and automatically adds the necessary ingredients to their online cart. This multi-channel campaign effectively positions Instacart as a valuable resource for parents.

‍Why It Works:

Addressing a specific need, like school lunch preparation, builds trust and loyalty among busy families. Alternatively, adding a themed pun can easily grab your subscribers attention by adding a fun and timely twist to your marketing.

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2. Give Back Initiative

Launch a campaign where you give back to local schools or teachers. For every purchase made, donate a percentage to a local school or classroom project. Promote this initiative via SMS, highlighting the impact of each purchase. Take advantage of TapOnIt's Bonus Offer feature to incentivize sharing and help grow your database.

‍Example Text:

“📚 Shop with a purpose! This month, 15% of every purchase goes to support local classrooms. Together, we can make a difference in our community! BONUS: Share this special with someone new and we'll donate $1”

‍Why It Works:

Community-focused initiatives foster goodwill and strengthen ties with local audiences.

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3. Expand Your Subscriber List with Sweepstakes

Engage your audience with a giveaway that resonates with the back-to-school theme. TapOnIt’s platform makes it easy to set up and manage sweepstakes, encouraging social sharing and expanding your reach.

Example Text: 

"✏️ 🎁 Get Ready for Back-to-School! Enter for a chance to win a $500 shopping spree for all your school essentials. Click here: [link] to enter to win"

Real-World Inspiration: The “Poppi Back to School Sweepstakes"

Poppi launched the "Poppi Back to School Sweepstakes" campaign where the winner will receive $25,000 toward their education. That is quite the hefty prize, but the same idea can be applied at different budgets and for different education related topics.

Why It Works:

Sweepstakes incentivize people to sign up for your text messages, and even better, with TapOnIt's sharing feature, your subscribers can earn additional entries by sharing with friends. Earning them more entries, and you an organically growing database.

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4. Appeal to the Teachers & Students

Recognize both teachers & students in the back-to-school routine with thoughtful promotions and initiatives. Launch exclusive promotions tailored just for them.

‍Example Text:

"Back-to-School Bliss from [Business Name]!☁️ ✨ Treat yourself to a peaceful moment with $15 OFF our exclusive candles. Light up your relaxation and enjoy a serene break.”

Real-World Inspiration: Madewell's “Teachers & College Student Discount"

Madewell offers 15% off on all online and in store purchase to teachers & college students.

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Why it works:‍

There are approximately 4,007,908 teachers and approximately 18.1 million college students enrolled in degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States. Marketing to this demographic taps into a vast audience that likely appreciates a special break while they ramp up for a busy school year. By acknowledging their efforts, you foster goodwill and create a stronger connection with your customers.

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Key Takeaways:

By implementing these ideas and utilizing TapOnIt’s powerful SMS and MMS marketing tools, businesses can effectively capitalize on the back-to-school shopping season, driving sales and building lasting relationships with customers while making a positive impact in their communities.

The key is to be creative and understand your audience's needs to make the most of this lucrative time of year.