Everyone enjoys reminiscing about the past, whether they’re sifting through old photo books or watching a movie from their favorite decade. Frequently, consumers enjoy purchasing items that remind them of their pasts, as these goods allow them to revel in the good times of yesteryear.
As you’re prepping your next set of promotions, consider those that will allow your consumers to interact with elements from some of the most notable decades long gone. This type of marketing campaign may be the best way to win over new consumers, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research.
Researchers found that people are more likely to spend money when they’re feeling nostalgic, as these emotions may remind them of past memories that filled them with happiness. As you’re looking for ways to inspire similar feelings in your consumers, consider the following promotional ideas that put the past at the forefront of people’s minds.
1. Retro movie night for your loyal customers
Hosting a fun and festive movie night is a great way to get consumers to not only visit your business but also interact with an aged – yet timeless – film. Your business has many options when hosting its own celebration – it can either invite a select group of customers to attend a screening at your physical location, or it can rent out a movie theater for a set period of time. Be sure to decorate the space with items from the decade at hand, as consumers will enjoy being completely immersed in the ambiance of that particular point in time.
“Social networks offer the ideal platform to connect to consumers.”
2. Trivia time: Contests and rewards for social media
Social networks offer the ideal platform on which your brand can connect to a wide range of consumers, both potential and current. One great way to both encourage engagement and attract new followers is by creating an online trivia contest concerning a particular decade. Your business should consider asking questions on a regular basis, such as asking one question per day, then entering all of the daily winners in a pool for the chance to win a relevant promotional product. Each question should pertain to the time period – for example, if your business is hosting an ’80s Month promotion, you could ask questions about what movies were popular during these years, or what television series were highly watched by viewers.
When determining the prize for these contests, be sure to select those that are relevant to the decade. Consider offering a grand prize that features a range of objects from the chosen time period, including a film that came out during the decade, candy that was popular during the time and a novelty item that represents the years. Compile all of the prizes in a personalized Heavy Cotton Canvas Boat Tote, which acts as a sturdy carrier that your consumers can reuse after the promotion.
3. Decade dance party for the ages
If you’re catering to the college crowd, consider sponsoring a decade dance party to bring in the new school year. Whether you’re lending the physical space or donating items to giveaway at the dance, this is a great way for your brand to reach younger consumers. If you’re hosting the party, be sure to only play music from the selected decade. Additionally, consider lining the walls with pictures of classic film icons from the time period, allowing younger people to get a glimpse into what life would have been like for young adults during that decade. Distribute an item that college students will be able to use on a daily basis, such as the 20 Oz. Promotional Sports Bottle.