Promoting your business in a parade can be an exciting and creative way to gain visibility, engage with the community, and showcase your brand. Push have previously supplied staff to various parades such as the Blackpool Illuminations Parade, run in partnership with Nickelodeon.
We provide teams of staff including brand ambassadors, mascot staff, product sampling staff and leafleting staff for example. We can also provide team leaders to oversee large teams of staff on the ground as at parades staff can in various locations over a large area. Additionally, we have staff with performing arts experience on our books who are perfect for parade work!
Here are some strategies for promoting your business effectively during a parade:
1. Design a Standout Parade Float
- Branded Float: Create a visually appealing and creative float that prominently displays your business name, logo, and products. Make sure your branding is visible from all angles.
- Interactive Elements: Incorporate fun, interactive elements into the float. You could have live performances, dancers, or performers wearing branded attire, or even offer samples or freebies from the float.
- Theme Consistency: Align your float with the theme of the parade if there is one. This helps make your participation feel like a natural fit and could attract more attention.
2. Hand Out Promotional Items
- Freebies: Hand out branded items like t-shirts, water bottles, pens, or stickers to parade spectators. People love receiving freebies, and it’s a great way to get your brand noticed.
- Coupons or Discounts: Distribute coupons, discount cards, or special offers for your business. Encourage people to visit your store or website with a time-sensitive deal.
- Samples: If your business offers a consumable product (e.g., food, beverages, or health products), consider giving out samples along the parade route. This can increase the chance of people trying your product and remembering your brand.
3. Sponsor the Parade
- Event Sponsorship: Sponsor the parade itself or a specific part of the parade (e.g., a section of the parade route, the music or entertainment, etc.). This could include placing your logo on official parade materials, signage, and promotional content.
- Brand Visibility: As a sponsor, your business name will likely appear on the parade’s advertising, programs, and social media, giving you more exposure before, during, and after the event.
4. Engage with Parade Attendees
- Branded Costumes: Have your employees or volunteers wear branded apparel or costumes. This adds a fun element to the parade and helps promote your brand in a memorable way.
- Parade-Specific Mascot: If your business has a mascot or you’re open to creating one, consider having it walk along the parade route. A friendly mascot can attract attention and engage with the crowd.
- Interactive Contests: Encourage people to take photos with your float or mascot and post them on social media using a unique hashtag. You can create a contest where they have a chance to win a prize for the best post.
5. Leverage Social Media
- Live Updates: Share live updates, photos, and videos on your social media accounts while the parade is happening. Use hashtags relevant to the parade and your business to increase your reach.
- Encourage Engagement: Ask parade-goers to tag your business in photos or videos they share during the event. Run a social media contest with a prize for the best content shared about your business during the parade.
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Show the preparation for the parade and behind-the-scenes footage on your social media channels. This will help create anticipation and build excitement among your audience.
6. Engage with the Local Community
- Community Connections: Participate in the parade to show your commitment to the local community. You can tie your participation to charitable causes or community initiatives, which enhances your brand’s positive reputation.
- Collaborate with Other Local Businesses: Partner with other local businesses in the parade to cross-promote each other. Jointly promoting your participation in the parade can help expand your audience and create stronger community ties.
7. Create a Parade-Only Promotion
- Exclusive Offer: Create a special promotion that’s only available to parade attendees or those who mention they saw your business during the parade. This could be a discount or a limited-time offer.
- Post-Parade Event: Host a special event after the parade where parade attendees can come to your business for an exclusive deal or celebration. Promote the event during the parade and on social media to attract more people.
8. Utilise Parade Merchandise
- Customised Parade Items: Have custom-made items related to the parade (e.g., limited-edition shirts or hats) that feature your business’s logo and the parade’s theme. Sell or give away these items as part of your promotion- people love a momento!
- Parade Swag Bags: Include your business’s promotional materials in the parade’s swag bags if applicable. This helps ensure that attendees remember your business long after the parade is over.
By combining creativity with strategic promotional efforts, your participation in a parade can significantly enhance brand awareness, foster community relations, and create lasting impressions. So consider promoting at a parade this summer (although they do occur all year round so do some research)!
