Being born and raised in Texas, nothing gets me more excited than some friday night lights.  It’s finally football season and I’m PUMPED. And you should be, too!

Customers are out and about, getting ready for the fun football game day festivities, and with these five promotion ideas you can encourage customers to drop into your small business as well. Whether it’s to watch the big game, get a bite to eat after, pick up tailgating materials, or grab some school colored gear, there are tons of opportunities to use the football season momentum and spirit to get customers in the door.

5  fun promotion ideas for football season

1. Text message promotions for after the game food or drink specials

Whether it’s a big win or defeating loss, people will want to let loose after the game. Get them in the door by sending out a promotion immediately after the game.  Here are some examples:

• Celebrate the big win at Christie’s! Get 2 beers for the price of 1 with this text! Gig em Aggies! Uptown Dallas.
• Getting hungry? Head to Sam’s Tavern after the game for half off appetizers with this text. 1024 E Pike St.
• GO BRONCOS! Come to Los Agaves next to the stadium for $1 margaritas with this text! 1703 Federal Blvd.

2. Promotional materials to keep your customers cool

Whether it’s 90 degrees or 40 degrees outside on game day, you can get the word out about your business, and get customers to visit that day, with some promotional give-aways. For the heat, paper fans and drink koozies are always fan favorites. Plastic sunglasses, water bottles, or pennants can been given away regardless of the weather. This is great for getting your brand out to the masses, but don’t just throw your logo on these materials and hope people will just come in the door!

Use the materials as incentives to boost sales at your small business. For example, on the drink koozies, include a message on the side “Bring this koozie in on game days with a friend, and get two drinks for the price of one!” This message not only brings one person in the door, but gets you a referral customer as well. And once they come in the door for the two drinks, they will probably end up staying there, maybe buy some food as well, and they may convince their friends to meet up with them for the two for one drink. Look at all those extra sales AND new customers you made!

3. Display team branded or colored items front & center

Own a retail store? A couple days before a game weekend is a great time to put all your team colored or team items front and center. If you are an upscale boutique in Berkeley, display navy colored shirts, dresses, pants, etc. and pair them with golden scarves or other accessories in the display window or near the entrance to give customers unique ideas for game day outfits. If you are a grocery store, display chips, dip, coolers, cups, school themed lawn chairs, etc. and advertise it as a one stop shop for your game day tailgating essentials. Are you a pet store? This is a good time of the year to get team branded or colored collars or doggie t-shirts, those will sell like hotcakes.

4. Email customers for game watching event or tailgate reminder

Sending out an email to your customers is quick and cost effective way to advertise a game day event you are having.

Here is an example message:

“For those staying in town for the bowl game, we’ve got you covered! Watch the Cardinal game downtown with us at Old Pro. We will have the live game on all our large screens, pre-game beer pong tournaments, and more! Bring your friends and enjoy $3 Cardinal shots; just show your bartender this email to receive the specialty game day shots! See you this Saturday, game day festivities start at noon!”

5. Social media game week promotion with prizes

Use your small business Facebook or Twitter pages for a fun promotion to not only encourage interaction with your social pages and website, but to also gain likes or followers and boost customer visits in store. Many people like to guess the who will win the football games or guess the scores. Invite customers to put their winning team guesses on their Facebook page and give customers an in-store incentive to do so.

For instance, post on your Facebook page:

“How many points will the Cowboys beat the Redskins by this weekend? If your guess is within 3 points, get a small pizza on us! Post on your own Facebook wall this message and mention us directly to enter for the free pizza prize: ‘To win a free pizza at Rocco’s Uptown, I think the Cowboys will win by 7 points!’ We will message the winners after the game!”

So not only will customers interact and spread the word about your business on their Facebook page, but they will also come in for the free pizza and hopefully buy some drinks or other appetizers in the process, and share with friends (a.k.a. new customers)!