Back-To-School Marketing For 2021 Prioritizes Data Collection & Customer Acquisition

Backpack, lunch box, pencil case, new sneakers, computer — and so much more. Back-to-school shopping is here, and brands and retailers are making the experience easier than ever. With customer acquisition strategies that include contests, wish lists and discounts, back-to-school marketing campaigns are driving consumers to enroll and sign up across channels, allowing for data collection and re-engagement, driving loyalty and sales. 

Back-To-School Brands Launch Marketing Strategies Attracting Parents And Encouraging Sign Ups Via Giveaways & Sweepstakes 

For many kids, a new school year means new clothes. Retailers including Lands’ End and Burlington are leveraging consumer excitement about back-to-school shopping with the launch of sweepstakes campaigns that encourage consumers to sign up for a chance to win cash or gift cards. 

“The Pack is Back” sweepstakes, part of the Lands’ End back-to-school marketing campaign, is offering a $5000 prize. Consumers who sign up for a chance to win with Lands’ End agree to be contacted about future Lands’ End offers, and the brand immediately dispatches an email, which includes reminders to enter the sweepstakes every day and links to other products. Burlington Coat Factory is promoting several initiatives at once for the back-to-school season, including a partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org and the #SavedByTheBurlSweepstakes, which can be entered via Instagram or Facebook by tagging friends and using the #savedbytheburlsweepstakes hashtag. 

Social media marketing, especially when amplified by digital performance advertising solution providers like Digital Media Solutions, can be very effective at building awareness about sweepstakes and other brand promotions, often driving consumers to websites where they can buy products directly or sign up for email and push notifications. Aimtell, a SaaS re-engagement technology owned by DMS, offers an easy way to encourage purchases by retargeting abandoned carts and product pages, boosting conversions. Click here for a demo of Aimtell.

Idea Boards & Wish Lists Get Students & Parents To Create Online Accounts As Part Of Back-To-School Marketing Strategies

Similar to baby and wedding registries, several companies allow students to create virtual bulletin boards or room designs for their college dorm rooms or first apartments. These creative tools are an effective way for brands to collect first-party data and encourage consumers to create online accounts. For future campaigns, the first-party data gathered can be used to personalize promotions. The Bed, Bath & Beyond (BBB) “My Idea Boards” allows shoppers on the BBB site to pin their favorite products, with the pins saved for 30 days. If they want to save their idea boards permanently, shoppers will need to create accounts. Dormify, “a small space decorating destination,” where consumers can design their small spaces and shop for the necessary products directly from the ecommerce platform, begins the shopping experience by offering 15% off for new shoppers. After providing their emails and phone numbers, consumers are immediately sent a welcome email and text with the discount code. 

Brands that want to capture consumer attention across channels, especially during a busy time like getting ready for college and back-to-school shopping, can do so with promotions and easy sign-up opportunities to reach consumers when they are ready to subscribe. Click here to learn how DMS can help you scale your customer acquisition.

Back-To-School Marketing Includes Promotions And Discounts Driving Customer Acquisition & Repeat Business 

Back-to-school shopping typically includes clothes, school supplies and technology. “We see a 37% year-over-year increase in spending on technology products this year for computers and electronic gadgets,” said Rod Sides, Vice Chairman and U.S. Leader in Retail and Distribution at Deloitte, which recently conducted a back-to-school survey. Promotions and discounts are common from brands and retailers during back-to-school shopping, when consumers are often buying a lot at once and are, therefore, looking for deals. Apple is offering free AirPods and 20% off AppleCare to students who purchase select Mac and iPad models with education pricing, hoping to capture the surge in technology purchasing spurred by the pending school year. 

Promotions and discounts can also be found when shopping for dorm room must-haves. In addition to My Idea Boards, Bed Bath & Beyond offers 20% off for shoppers who enroll in the retailer’s “My College Pass” program through the end of September. Once enrolled, consumers get free shipping for purchases over $39, and they can pick up their orders at the BBB closest to their campuses. Options in shipping and delivery can be effective customer acquisition strategies when promoted across channels, particularly since consumers increasingly want to shop online as seamlessly as possible. By offering one-touch shopping options and a variety of delivery and pick-up choices, especially for consumers with existing accounts, brands can often drive conversions. Bed Bath & Beyond’s My College Pass is being promoted across social with video and content marketing strategies that drive consumers back to the retailer’s website to enroll in the discount program and upcoming in-store contests.

A fun campaign can be easily scaled to broader audiences with a partner like Digital Media Solutions® (DMS). Leveraging our first-party data assets, proprietary technology and expansive media reach, we connect advertisers with the audiences they want to engage and convert. Click here to learn more about DMS performance advertising solutions.

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