If you run a women-focused business, mother’s day is a holiday that could possibly be a big sales push for you. Almost any business can capture some Mother’s Day business or at least create some goodwill and positive rapport with the mothers in their pipeline.

Of course, you can always follow the retail method of having “sales” for every holiday and then some, but I’m not big on “sales” as marketing technique. While a sale can bring in customers, if you use price-lowering techniques too often, you can devalue your product or service to the point of being unprofitable. So, if you feel you need to have a sale, do so carefully. Meanwhile, read on for some other tips for increasing business by taking advantage of the extra spending that people do on this day to honor their moms.

It’s not terribly hard to do some sort of Mother’s Day promo for most businesses. A small mother-related give-away included “free with purchase” is a great way to help your customers find cool things for Mom. Try to relate the promo with your business, if possible. For example, if you sell car-related items, offer a free “World’s Greatest Mom” keychain. Hokey? Perhaps, but Moms love this stuff. And, your customers will love you for making them look good! Many businesses can relate promos to what they sell or whatever service they provide. Here are some examples of inexpensive promotional items you can get with “Mom”-related statements on them:

Salon or Spa: Nail file, cuticle pushers, sample lotions
Photographer: Magnetized “Mom” photo frames
Stationery store: ink pens or “notes from Mom” notepads
Electronics store: pocket calculator
Any service that saves “time” (errand service, housecleaners, etc.) small clock
Home services or products: Votive candles
Writers: Mom poem or essay suitable for framing

You can also generate added business for Mother’s Day by offering “specials” which are not discounted sales. Start early to promote these offerings. Here are some ways to promote your Mom’s Day specials:

Online:
Add a button to your website which says “Click here for Mother’s Day Specials”
For banner ads or other online advertising, do a Mothers’ day button or banner
Add Mothers Day to your keywords

Print Ads:
Mention your Mother’s Day special up to a month prior to the second Sunday in May.
Encourage early shopping.

In-store or with shipments:

If you have a retail store, either “real” or online, add a flyer or postcard to the shopping bag or shipping box.

Of course, a little something extra for Mom’s either on Mother’s Day or during the week before is a great loyalty and goodwill gesture. If you are open on that day, let everyone know and offer a little something for mothers—perhaps the promo item you are featuring or maybe you bring in carnations free to the first 100 mothers or something. Use your creativity and see what you can come up with. Feel free to drop me a line here to let me know your ideas!

Restaurant gift certificates are great ideas for rewarding your best customers, your employees, or even your own mom. Get them online, too: Restaurant.com Dining Certificates.

And, of course, have a Happy Mother’s Day! Need recommendations for gifts for your Mom or other special mothers in your life? Check out my Mother’s Day store for really cool gifts.