When Fall rolls around we expect everything to have a variation that is pumpkin spice flavored or scented. Businesses with foods and scented products have been taking advantage of the season to drive sales for years. Yet you don’t have to have a food or candle business to take advantage of what I like to call Fall Branding. You may not be crazy about Fall (I’m on team Summer), but you have to admit the coziness of Fall decor and flavors are very inviting.
What is Fall Branding?
When I say Fall Branding, here’s what I mean. It’s how brands tweak their look, messaging and marketing campaigns to reflect the Fall season. By doing this, they leverage the emotions, colors, and themes associated with Fall—think cozy, warm, and a bit nostalgic—to connect with customers. It also begins to get them ready for the upcoming holidays.
We see it a lot in bigger businesses but you don’t have to be Starbucks to use this branding strategy. Whether your business has a physical location or is completely virtual, use these tips to attract people and to invite them to linger.
How to Take Advantage of the Season to Attract Customers
For food BrandS (or BrandS with anything scented)
If you sell foods or anything scented, you should be rolling out your limited edition Fall flavors by now. Apart from pumpkin spice, you’ve got apple cider, hazelnut, pecan and much more. Be creative and give your customers something unique they won’t get year-round. And if your product has no business smelling like food, you can instead focus on Fall inspired names and give them scents that elude to the name.
But You Don’t Have to Be In Food Or Have Physical Products!
If you don’t have a flavored product nor a physical one, there are other ways to take advantage of Fall Branding. Whether brick and mortar or virtual, use welcoming cozy Fall themes to attract customers.
It’s All About Color
Start by picking a Fall color palette. You can do this by using an image you like that captures Fall or by just picking colors that make you think of the season. Next, use this color palette as a guide to decorate. You can transform your location, create stationary, update your website’s sale page and social media posts template, and do much more with a theme based on the palette you come up with.
Pumpkins Aren’t the Only Way to Give Off Fall Vibes
We love our pumpkins & other winter squash decor but if you don’t want to be too on the nose, there are other accents you can use. Flowers, plants and fruit that fit your color palette make great decor. And using art that captures the season will work great as well.
It is Also All About Lighting
Remember how I said it is all about color? Well it is also all about lighting, and since color reflects light makes sense right? You want to use warm lighting and place them strategically. Think fairy lights, lamps, and other lighting fixtures that will fit your space. If your lighting is already warm, instead focus on switching it up to set the mood. Use similar lighting (and decor) for your social media photos and videos, especially if you are virtual.
As a bonus, you can add the right fragrances & music to your location and social media posts (or take some notes from Myspace for your website :)). Use these tips and you will create the most welcoming Fall themed space that will attract people to your door and invite them to stay. So if you haven’t started taking advantage of Fall Branding yet, it is time to jump on it.
To learn about how Salted Branding can help you launch and build a magnetic brand, click here.
