Back-to-school is one of the biggest shopping seasons of the year so you don't want to miss out on it. Even if you're not selling school supplies or clothing, there are lots of ways you can attract back-to-school shoppers to your products and services.

Here are some back-to-school marketing ideas.

1)Tried and true.

Back-to-school sales are a tradition now and can work well for you if you sell products that are obviously school related .... or obviously non-school related.

If the kids going back to school is going to cause your sales to slump, now's the time for "last chance" sales. For example, a kayak rental business might offer "last chance" lessons and outings; a museum might offer discounted tours.

2) Reach for the tie-in.

If your products or services have no obvious back-to-school tie-in, you can still create one.

• Whether selling services or product, a nutrition-related business might offer information on preparing healthy school lunches.
• A business selling cleaning products might back-to-school market its products as great for cleaning dorm rooms and sell a special "studentpak" of products.
• A watch repair business might run a "be on time for school" special.

3) Don't forget the parents.

Back-to-school means different schedules for parents, too, and for some, more time to do things for themselves or things they've been putting off.

• Personal care businesses, such as hairdressers, manicurists, and massage therapists can offer discounts on "they've-gone-back-to-school" appointments.
• Restaurants could offer special menus and/or dishes to encourage patrons to come in for lunch.
• Fitness studios and gyms could offer special workshops or session series in school hours.

The really great thing about targeting students' parents in your back-to-school marketing is that your promotion can carry on right through September.

More Marketing Ideas:

• 10 Low-Cost Ways to Promote Your Business
• Attract More Customers through Cross-Promotion
• Back-to-School Ideas for Your Biz (VerticalResponse Marketing Blog)

Fast Stat

$935.1 million — The total value of sales of stationery, office supplies, cards, gift wrap and party supplies (Back to school… by the numbers 2008, Statistics Canada).

Image (c) Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

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