The air may be thick with the sounds of summer fun, but autumn is soon approaching, and bringing back-to-school shopping with it. However, students won’t be the only ones getting back to a routine; staying true to industry trends, online media will be influencing back-to-school shoppers significantly. Here are a few tips to help you take advantage of this lucrative season.
Point, aim, shoot
It’s crucial to keep in mind that a universal approach is not the way here. While students below 18 will be relying on their parents to handle essential buys like stationery, clothing, and food, the 18-24 yr. crowd is ready to brave the checkout queues alone. Women will be gravitating more towards personal care and beauty, and men will be invested in getting their hands on the latest electronics.
Virtual trust, real rewards
Gaining your audience’s trust is never easy, and it looks like back-to-school shoppers are no different. Online queries are 10% higher at this time of the year, and most shoppers are on the hunt for product reviews. Undecided back-to-school shoppers are clicking on platforms such as YouTube for inspiration and information. A well-placed YouTube review for your brand can go miles when it comes to boosting sales. Partnering up with the right influencer in these times of fleeting popularity can also make the difference between what students love or ignore.
Go mobile or bust
Backpacks, makeup brands, hairstyles, perfumes, calculators, and Kindles are just some of the most searched for items this season, but no matter what you’re advertising for, it’s essential that your ad be mobile-friendly. With searches on mobile growing 20 times faster than those on desktop, it is essential that your advertising campaigns be mobile-friendly if you’re aiming for success.
Advanced booking required
Seven in 10 shoppers do research before they shop, and brands must rank high and be present in as many searches as possible. To leverage newer opportunities, platforms such as Google offer the likes of Google Shopping to show product options. To deliver a good campaign during the back-to-school season, companies and advertisers need to own the space for all new related searches that will come up during the coming months.
As students gear up to flaunt the latest trends, brands must make sure they’re ready to market to them with open arms. So you better set your alarm clocks, because if you haven’t hopped on the back-to-school bus yet, you just might miss it.
