The solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, which is visible in much of the U.S., is a special event. It doesn’t happen every day. This type of eclipse won’t occur again until 2024. I vividly recall watching the solar eclipse in 1970, and it brings to mind opportunities for small businesses.

Special sales opportunities

Merchandise relevant to a special event can be marketed to consumers. For example, solar eclipse glasses for viewing, t-shirts, posters, and more have been sold online and in stores across the country. The U.S. Postal Service even has a special forever stamp featuring the eclipse (if you hold your thumb down on it, the image becomes the moon).

Restaurants, bars, and lodging facilities offering viewing can also cash in. One farmer in Oregon is renting out his field to campers traveling there to view the eclipse. He’s charged $500 for 4 days of camping, including meals and activities. Motels along the path of the eclipse dramatically raised their prices for the days surrounding the eclipse.

Upcoming events

It’s not too early for small businesses to be thinking about marketing opportunities for special events scheduled to happen within the next year. Examples:

• Small Business Saturday. It falls on November 25 this year. It presents a great opportunity for local establishments to capture consumer dollars during the holiday season. Follow information about this event on Facebook.
• Super Bowl LII. It will be held on February 4, 2018, in Minneapolis, MN. Find ways to align your business with this event here.

Also, check with your local chamber of commerce to learn about upcoming events in your area. For example, the Blue Angels are scheduled to appear in my area on April  21-22, 2018.