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Foolish Flash Promotion

Posted by Dean Asher on 3/1/16 9:35 AM
Topics: customer loyalty, MBS Monthly Marketing Plans

Sometimes it’s frustrating for college stores to see their customers shop elsewhere, despite knowing the value you offer them as their on-campus store. You might say it’s downright foolish. Take advantage of April Fool’s Day to play a few harmless pranks on your students and show them why they shouldn’t shop anywhere else with the Foolish Flash Promotion!

This promotion will involve a lot of humorous shenanigans everyone can enjoy, but also gives big savings to a few lucky students and points out all the reasons your store is the best place to shop.

March 2016: Foolish Flash Promotion

Decide on a sale, giveaway or other promotion

In addition to reminding students of what your store has to offer (and sharing a laugh with a few pranks and hoaxes), the goal is to get customers in-store and looking at your merchandise. A flash sale is a terrific way to drum up some short-term foot traffic and sell some excess inventory to make space for new items.

You might consider a buy-one-get-one sale on clothes, a discount on coffee and concessions or possibly even a chance at discounts off books for the next term. Pick what makes sense for your store and your budget.

Promote the event on social media

Since it’s a one-day event for which students won’t have advanced warning, print advertising won’t be the best way to promote your sale. Don’t worry, we’ve written some festive social media posts for you!

You can use one of these prefabricated pranks, or write some of your own if you’re up to it. It’s best to post it as though it’s a real announcement, then wait a short while before following up with the admission that it’s an April Fool’s joke. (When we unveiled Manuel the MBS Manatee, we waited a few hours, but any time after 30 minutes or so should give people plenty of time to share and discuss your prank.)

Prank 1: Left-handed books

Download: Left-handed books marketing kit
Download: Left-handed books marketing kit
Download Kit

Prank 2: Rent-A-Spirit

Download: Rent-A-Spirit marketing kit
Download: Rent-A-Spirit marketing kit
Download Kit

Prank 3: Fine campus dining

Download: Fine campus dining marketing kit
Download: Fine campus dining marketing kit
Download Kit
Download: all Foolish Flash Promotion marketing materials
Download: all Foolish Flash Promotion marketing materials
Download All Materials

Just for fun: prank customers in-store

Why leave the pranks on social media? Bring the fun into your store with a harmless prank. If you need inspiration, check out this prank CU Boulder pulls around Halloween. All you need is a body suit to resemble display mannequins, some apparel you’d like to highlight and a few pieces of candy to reward your startled patrons.

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