8 Step #Gratitude Promo How To

Thanksgiving provides a great opportunity to express our gratitude to clients, customers, and even donors. It's also a fun way to make a strong impression with new visitors and grow your online audience. By running a simple online promo you can freshen it up your online presence while creating a memorable experience that puts you top of mind with prospects. If that sounds good but you're not sure where to begin, read on for an 8 step guide to creating a simple #Gratitude promo campaign.

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Step 1 - Set A Goal
"Being more visible" is an aspiration, not a goal. Getting 100 likes between now and Thanksgiving Day is a good goal. Getting 100 new followers on one of your social media feeds is a better goal. Getting 100 new clients, sales, donors, etc. is a terrific goal! Without getting carried away, chose a goal that's realistic for you. 

Step 2 - Decide Where to Run Your Campaign
If you have a website with a blog you'll want to anchor your campaign with a blog post (if you don't have a website and/or a blog, I can help). Next, decide what additional channels to use. Do you have a business Facebook page?. Twitter? LinkedIn? Instagram? Chose at least 3 if you have them.

Step 3 - Pick Your Promo
Create a promo that leads viewers towards your goal. If you offer a service and your goal is 10 new clients, would a discounted first session induce people to give you a try? More ideas: Buy-one-get-one, free gift with purchase, free dessert night, raffle entry for social media shares, coupon for new followers. Get creative but keep it simple. 

Step 4 - Choose a Visual
Your promo needs an image to serve as it's focal point. You can take a photo, purchase an image at a royalty-free site or get help making a great promo graphic. Either way, keep it high quality, relevant and professional. You want to connect your business to the holiday in a visual way so that viewers can instantly understand your offer. 

Step 5 - Launch on Your Website
Begin on your blog with by adding your graphic and explaining your promo "#Gratitude Special! 20% off everything, expires 30th. Use the coupon code GRATITUDE at checkout. Shop now". Be sure to make your call to action (Shop now) clickable and keep it really simple. Then add a copy of your promo to your Home page. 

Step 6 - Syndicate to social media
Now it's time to add the secret sauce - engagement! Head over to your social media feeds and create a new post using your promo graphic and text. Turn on your social media notifications and keep an eye out for activity. You want to respond in a timely manner to likes, questions, comments, shares, etc. 

Step 7 - Rinse, Lather, Repeat
Depending on your offer, it's duration and the responses you may want to post reminders. For example, "Only two weeks left in our #Gratitude Special. Mention #Gratitude when booking your next haircut and save $8" or "22 people have enjoyed their free cookie, the next one could be yours!". This creates a sense of urgency and social acceptance. 

Step 8 - Wrap it up
On the day after your promo ends count up how many people used the coupon and how many likes, comments and shares it got on social media. How do those numbers stack up to your goal? Once you have that figured out, post a simple social media follow up letting your audience know that you are grateful for their participation.

Need Help?
I've been creating custom websites, social media profiles, promo campaigns and seasonal graphics since 1997. I have a large library of images, icons and other goodies to chose from and I offer a  Thanksgiving Promo Pack with everything you need to start your #Gratitude campaign today. Stand out by offering a simple campaign and making your website a warm, inviting place for visitors this season - your audience will enjoy it and they'll remember you when it's time to buy or when a friend asks for a reference.