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Summertime is great for so many reasons, but not necessarily for business and sales. Post-Father’s Day, your ecommerce shops may experience a lull during the remaining weeks of summer.
To an extent, this is normal and to be expected. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to give your sales a summertime boost.
To get the biggest bang for your buck with your marketing campaigns, it’s important to pay attention to shopping trends and factor in seasonality and holidays.
Inside your Etsy Shop Manager, there’s a section that details key shopping dates throughout the year along with promotion and product suggestions to accompany each of these dates.
While there aren’t really any conventional gift-giving holidays over the summer, Etsy does specify a few seasonal events that occur. These include wedding season and back-to-school.
I would also add the Fourth of July to this list. Even though people don’t usually give gifts for this holiday, they do buy relevant celebratory supplies, including shot glasses and t-shirts.
Promoting products and sales that factor in these seasons and events is a great way to attract more shoppers and keep your summertime sales going strong.
Below, I talk more about the key summertime shopping dates and seasons so you know precisely when to run your promotions. Plus, I provide you with a series of mug mockups and promotional tools (coupon codes, hashtags, and copy-and-paste social media templates) to make your wedding season, Fourth of July, and back-to-school/Labor Day marketing campaigns a breeze.
(NOTE: For simplicity’s sake, all of the mug mockups are housed in one Dropbox folder, which you can access using the opt-in form located at the bottom of the post.)
Let’s take a look…
Key summertime shopping dates
To view Etsy’s calendar of key shopping periods, go inside your Etsy Shop Manager. Go to the Marketing section on the left. Then, choose Key shopping dates. This will reveal a list of the key shopping periods throughout the year to help you develop better marketing strategies for your ecommerce shops.
Peak wedding season
If you look at the peak wedding season, you’ll see that it lasts from June 1st to late September and involves wedding decor and people buying gifts for the couple tying the knot as well as the bridal party (including bridesmaids and groomsmen). Although not mentioned there, other popular gifts includes items for family members, such as mothers and fathers of the bride and groom, siblings, grandparents, etc.
Etsy notes that wedding season sales typically peak in July so that would be the ideal time to run a sale or special promotion.
Back-to-school
The back-to-school season runs from July to early September, with people shopping for school supplies, dorm decor and other necessities. Running sales and promotions in July and August is a good way to attract shoppers looking to stock up for the new school year.
Labor Day sales event
Etsy also talks about running a Labor Day sales event. I didn’t include mug mockups for this, however, as there isn’t necessarily a distinct way of celebrating.
Plus, according to Etsy, the main focus of a Labor Day sales event should be on clearing out summertime inventory and previewing your fall inventory, especially any products that relate to back-to-school, as these two shopping events overlap.
Now, without further ado, here are the mug mockups and promotional tools…
Wedding season mockups and promotional tools
Mug mockups
You can find all of the wedding season mug mockups after opting in at the bottom of the post.
Here’s a preview of the wedding season mockups available for download:
Wedding season coupon codes
WEDDING
BRIDE
GROOM
TIETHEKNOT
MARRYME
IDO
LOVE
TRUELOVE
THEONE
MARRIED
MARRIAGE
FIANCE
ENGAGED
FOREVER
Wedding season hashtags
#WeddingSeason
#WeddingSeason2019
#Wedding
#Wedding2019
#WeddingGift
#WeddingPresent
#Bride
#BrideToBe
#FutureWife
#Groom
#GroomToBe
#FutureHusband
#Fiance
#WeddingDay
#WeddingBells
#TieTheKnot
#SheSaidYes
#HeProposed
#TrueLove
#BridalShower
#Engagement
#Engaged
#EngagementRing
#WeddingRing
#Proposal
#MarryMe
#IDo
#WeddingPlanning
#GettingMarried
#HappilyEverAfter
#MrAndMrs
Wedding season social media templates
Template 1: It’s #WeddingSeason! So many beautiful couples are tying the knot. Find the perfect gift for the #happycouple or the bridal party at our store, which offers lots of customizable gifts: _____[link]. Use promo code _____ to save _____%.
Example 1: It’s #WeddingSeason! So many beautiful couples are tying the knot. Find the perfect gift for the #happycouple or the bridal party at our store, which offers lots of customizable gifts: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. Use promo code TRUELOVE to save 15%.
Template 2: Know anyone who’s #GettingMarried? We have just the thing. Check out our selection of unique and memorable gifts here: _____ [link]. Save _____% when you use promo code _____. #MarryMe
Example 2: Know anyone who’s #GettingMarried? We have just the thing. Check out our selection of unique and memorable gifts here: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. Save 20% when you use promo code FOREVER. #MarryMe
Template 3: Got a #wedding to go to this summer? Whether you’re shopping for the #bride, #groom, or bridal party, we’ve got you covered. Start shopping now: _____ [link]. Get $_____ off the perfect gift with promo code _____.
Example 3: Got a #wedding to go to this summer? Whether you’re shopping for the #bride, #groom, or bridal party, we’ve got you covered. Start shopping now: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. Get $10 off the perfect gift with promo code THEONE.
Fourth of July mug mockups and promotional tools
Mug mockups
You can find all of the Fourth of July mug mockups after opting in at the bottom of the post.
Here’s a preview of the Fourth of July mockups available for download:
Fourth of July coupon codes
4THOFJULY
FOURTH
JULYFOURTH
JULY4TH
INDEPENDENCE
FIREWORKS
PARADE
FLAG
AMERICA
USA
AMERICAN
FREEDOM
LIBERTY
1776
Fourth of July hashtags
#FourthOfJuly
#FourthOfJuly2019
#4thOfJuly
#4thOfJuly2019
#JulyFourth
#JulyFourth2019
#July4th
#July4th2019
#TheFourth
#TheFourth2019
#IndependenceDay
#IndependenceDay2019
#FourthOfJulyGift
#4thOfJulyGift
#America
#USA
#UnitedStates
#American
#ProudAmerican
#GodBlessAmerica
#AmericaTheBeautiful
#Independence
#Fireworks
#Parade
#Picnic
#Flag
#RedWhiteAndBlue
#PartyInTheUSA
#BeersAndBurgers
#FunInTheSun
#ThrowDownFourth
#HappyBirthdayAmerica
#America1776
#Patriotic
#Patriotism
#MadeInAmerica
#LandOfTheFree
#FiftyStars
#50Stars
#ThirteenStripes
#13Stripes
#StarsAndStripes
Fourth of July social media templates
Template 1: Happy #FourthOfJuly! Celebrate #IndependenceDay in style this year with a one-of-a-kind _____ [product]. Buy it here: _____ [link]. Promo code _____ saves you _____%. Act now. These are selling like hotcakes!
Example 1: Happy #FourthOfJuly! Celebrate #IndependenceDay in style this year with this one-of-a-kind #redwhiteandblue coffee mug. Buy it here: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. Promo code FLAG saves you 20%. Act now. These are selling like hotcakes!
Template 2: #IndependenceDay2019 is almost here! Don’t wait to get the party started. Check out our selection of festive _____ [product] and other fun products: _____ [link]. Get $_____ off when you use promo code _____. #fireworks
Example 2: #IndependenceDay2019 is almost here! Don’t wait to get the party started. Check out our selection of festive shot glasses and other fun products: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. Get $5 off when you use promo code AMERICA. #fireworks
Template 3: Make your #4thOfJuly celebrations the best ever with these unique _____ [product] and _____ [product]. Shop our full selection of #IndependenceDay gifts and goods here: _____ [link]. Save $_____ with promo code _____.
Example 3: Make your#4thOfJuly celebrations the best ever with thee unique coffee mugs and shot glasses. Shop our full selection of #IndependenceDay gifts and goods here: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. Save $10 with promo code FIREWORKS.
Back-to-school mug mockups and promotional tools
Mug mockups
You can find all of the back-to-school mug mockups after opting in just below this section.
Here’s a preview of the back-to-school mockups available for download:
Back-to-school coupon codes
BACKTOSCHOOL
SCHOOL
EDUCATION
ENDOFSUMMER
STUDENT
TEACHER
FIRSTDAY
LEARN
SCHOOLYEAR
SCHOOLTIME
BACKPACK
PENCIL
GETSMART
Back-to-school hashtags
#BackToSchool
#BackToSchool2019
#School
#SchoolDay
#SchoolTime
#SchoolLife
#NewSchoolYear
#NewSchoolYear2019
#FirstDayOfSchool
#FirstDayOfSchool2019
#BackToSchoolGift
#ElementarySchool
#MiddleSchool
#HighSchool
#College
#University
#Freshman
#Sophmore
#Junior
#Senior
#SchoolSpirit
#SchoolPride
#EndOfSummer
#SchoolShopping
#BackToSchoolShopping
#SchoolSupplies
Back-to-school social media templates
Template 1: The new #SchoolYear is about to start! Get back-to-school ready with an array of unique products from our shop: _____. [link] We’ve got gifts for #students and #teachers and fabulous dorm decor. Promo code _____ saves you _____%.
Example 1: The new #SchoolYear is about to start! Get back-to-school ready with an array of unique products from our shop: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. We’ve got gifts for #students and #teachers and fabulous dorm decor. Promo code LEARN saves you 20%.
Template 2: Get ready for the #FirstDayOfSchool2019 with our fantastic selection of gifts and dorm decor. Start your #ShoppingSpree here: _____. [link] You’ll find _____ [product], _____ [product], _____ [product], and more. Save _____% with promo code _____.
Example 2: Get ready for the #FirstDayOfSchool2019 with our fantastic selection of gifts and dorm decor. Start your #ShoppingSpree here: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. You’ll find coffee mugs, pillowcases, apparel, and more. Save 15% with promo code GETSMART.
Template 3: It’s that time of year again: #BackToSchool. Time to stock up on supplies, gifts, and dorm decor. Check out the great selection of unique products our store has to offer: _____ [link]. Use promo code _____ to save $_____. #EndOfSummer
Example 3: It’s that time of year again: #BackToSchool. Time to stock up on supplies, gifts, and dorm decor. Check out the great selection of unique products our store has to offer: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. Use promo code SCHOOLTIME to save $10. #EndOfSummer
Labor Day promotional tools
Labor Day coupon codes
LABORDAY
LABOR
WORK
WORKER
WEEKEND
Labor Day hashtags
#LaborDay
#LaborDay2019
#LaborDayWeekend
#LaborDayFun
#GoodbyeSummer
#SummerAintOver
#LaborDayParty
#HappyLaborDay
#ThreeDayWeekend
#LongWeekend
Labor Day social media templates
Template 1: We’re running a #LaborDay sales event! Use coupon code _____ to save _____%. Sale ends _____ [date]. Shop now: _____. [link] #Hashtag #Hashtag
Example 1: We’re running a #LaborDay sales event! Use coupon code WEEKEND to save 20%. Sale ends September 2nd at midnight EST. Shop now: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. #GoodbyeSummer #ThreeDayWeekend
Template 2: #HappyLaborDay! We’re running a sale for a limited time on all our summer inventory. Promo code _____ gets you $_____ off your next purchase. Save big here: _____. [link] #Hashtag #Hashtag
Example 2: #HappyLaborDay! We’re running a sale for a limited time on all our summer inventory. Promo code WORK gets you $10 off your next purchase. Save big here: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. #GoodbyeSummer #LaborDay2019
Template 3: Celebrate #LaborDay2019 with big savings on new _____ [product] and _____ [product]. Save _____% when you use promo code _____. Check out our new fall merchandise here: _____. [link] #Hashtag
Example 3: Celebrate #LaborDay2019 with big savings on new coffee mugs and t-shirts. Save 20% when you use promo code LABOR. Check out our new fall merchandise here: http://bit.ly/2lchnOu. #LaborDayWeekend
Click here to access your free journal mockups
If you want to receive these mockups, sign up here. You won’t need to put in your credit card details on the next page (unless you’d like to sign up for other offers on that page). This is just an easy way for us to get you your mockups in as smooth a way as possible. Enjoy! :)
I hope these mockups and promotional tools help increase your sales this summer! Let me know what you think about this post by leaving a comment below. And if you found it useful, please consider sharing it with your friends and followers.
0 thoughts on “How to sell more during the summer (wedding season, 4th of July, back-to-school)”
Love this! Thank you.
Rachel: thank you so much! This help makes me feel like you actually care that my business takes off! I’ve done other courses that don’t meet that standard.
Thanks a bunch.
Sam