Earn a gold medal for marketing during the Summer Olympics

MarketCategory
5 min read
Maxym Martineau

The Olympics are the pinnacle of athletic achievement. As a former competitive swimmer, I used to spend hours watching recordings of races and events. I was invested in the success of every athlete, and I followed them closely throughout the Olympics.

Even now, years later with a different life path in mind, I still count down the days to the opening ceremony.

And I’m not alone.

Athletes and spectators alike will tune into the Summer Olympics this year.

Whether you’re a sports fan or not, this is a prime opportunity for you to market your small business. With so many eyes glued to screens this summer, why not align your company with this massive following?

Use social media to attract Summer Olympics followers

Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook are sure to showcase the Summer Olympics frenzy. Be on the lookout for hashtags, pinnable images and specials you can use to bolster your business.

Competitive swimmers at work
Photo credit: JoshDobson via Visualhunt.com / CC BY

Twitter

Follow @Olympics and use hashtags, such as #Olympics on tweets associated with the Olympic games. Just be sure to get Twitter-verified and follow the correct guidelines set forward by the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Pro tip: Use platforms like Buffer to schedule tweets for high-traffic times. You can even cross-reference peak times with Olympic events to tailor your messaging!

Instagram and Pinterest

Be on the lookout for pinnable images that tie into this year's Summer Olympics. If there aren’t any out there, make your own! (If you’re not Photoshop-savvy, try using GoDaddy Studio to make your own gold-medal images).

Bring the spirit of the games to life with Olympics-style videos on your Instagram feed.

Use Instagram to your advantage (along with specific hashtags) to promote products/services and general Olympic awesomeness. Videos on Instagram are also a great way to connect with your audience while bringing the spirit of the Summer Olympics Games to life.

Facebook

You can bet that the masses will take to Facebook to comment on and like Olympic-specific posts. Take this opportunity to cheer on your favorite teams and athletes while offering special promotions and incentives. You can even consider giveaways or discounts for placings or events!

Emails and newsletters with Olympic spirit

When it comes to writing effective emails and newsletters , think about using content surrounding the Summer Olympics. From swimming to gymnastics, there’s sure to be an event that caters to everyone.

Never created a newsletter before? No sweat. You can easily draft up a compelling piece in less than 30 minutes (Hint: opening ceremonies and opening newsletter might go hand-in-hand).

Start send out great-looking emails on the fly with GoDaddy’s Digital Marketing Suite — it includes all you need to offer Olympic-themed promotions via email, Facebook and Instagram.

Incentives

A great way to get engagement from your subscribers is to include some form of incentive. Coupons, freebies, downloads — you name it. And with the Summer Olympics right around the corner, you can take this opportunity to craft some powerful stuff!

Here are some ideas you can try:

Exclusive discounts and freebies

Enjoy 10% off if you shop while wearing Canada’s colors!

Enter to win a free T-shirt by sharing your Olympic spirit on social media.

Downloads

Opt-in to our newsletter to receive a free calendar with all our upcoming sales.

Navigate our store like a champ with this Olympic product guide!

And of course, always remember to share these campaigns on all your social media platforms. Start a conversation and engage with your followers. You never know who might be interested in your Olympic swag.

Active content

Just like any email or newsletter, you’ll want to use attention-grabbing subject lines and compelling photos, videos and headlines to inspire action.

Use strong, active language to drive customers to your site or store.

Make sure you include a clear call-to-action in each email and/or newsletter. The Summer Olympics only last for two weeks — make the most of that time with email marketing that packs a punch.

Brick-and-mortar patriotism

For those of you with brick-and-mortar stores, you can use the Summer Olympics to ignite some patriotism. Take this opportunity to deck out your shop in Canada’s colors.

This creates a unique experience for your visitors, and gives you the opportunity to take some downright shareable photos.

If you’ve got the space, consider hosting a viewing party. You can offer specific incentives, discounts and freebies, all while providing killer service.

Depending on the type of store you run, you can even consider hosting a seminar or workshop. Do you make T-shirts for a living? Think about offering a one-time event where customers can come in and learn the basics of printing and screening. Just don’t forget to adhere to copyright laws for any images you might use!

Play by the rules

Close-up of runner’s feet in starting blocks
Photo credit: tableatny via VisualHunt / CC BY

The Summer Olympics aren’t only for participating athletes and hardcore sports fans. Your small business can also capture some of the global Olympics spirit. Just be mindful of the rules when it comes to marketing your business during the Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) owns the trademarks, logos and intellectual property surrounding the games. For more information about the proper use of Canada’s Olympic-related marketing, trademarks or policies, click here.

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