Veterans Day is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to start running Veterans Day advertising techniques for your company. This year, many brands and businesses will celebrate those who have served by showing their appreciation for the US military. This can be through thoughtful marketing campaigns, targeted sales, or even volunteer opportunities.

If your company plans to do special marketing on Veterans Day, then there are a few things to keep in mind. In this article, we’ll share a few techniques to use for this honorable holiday.

7 Veterans Day Advertising Techniques

1. Provide Military Discounts

Veterans Day needs to be about honoring the people who have sacrificed for the country. After all, this holiday is to honor those who have served in our military. As such, you need tasteful ways to provide discounts or services to the military community.

For example, you can discount your products for those with military membership (or increase the percentage if you already offer one). Or you can host a giveaway for those who make a purchase through your site. These are just a few examples of Veterans Day marketing ideas to increase sales while also honoring veterans.

However, remember that the impact veterans experience from their sacrifices last longer than just a day. Many of them have PTSD and other medical and mental ailments because of their service to the country. So, to thank them properly, consider adding a lifetime discount for people who are or have been in the military.

2. Tell Someone’s Story

Vets aren’t just people who have been part of a large organization. Rather, they have individual stories, filled with bravery and profoundly human moments, they have carried throughout their lives. Plus, many have been part of significant parts of history.

So, ask a veteran in your community if you can share their story with your followers. At the end, share how your company supports veterans, which will motivate your audience to choose you next time they need your products or services!

3. Decorate Your Store

Generally speaking, you probably won’t find Veterans Day decorations at your local party store. But with a little creativity, you can make your own decorations to hang up in your store. One of the most patriotic decor items to use is the American flag. Stick with the classic flag or add a red, white, and blue flag bunting to your counter or shelf space.

You can also shop around for 4th of July decorations to reuse. Think welcome signs, wreaths, or lawn decor. While they aren’t Veterans Day specific, they can still be used to show your company’s patriotism.

4. Get the Community Involved

Veterans Day is all about appreciation – not just on behalf of your company but for the entire local community. Therefore, why not get everyone in your local area involved by creating a project to show your support?

Get school students to draw or paint posters thanking military members for their service. Ask your customers to write letters of appreciation. Or place out a blank sign and let passersby write a custom message to veterans. These acts of kindness may not be directly related to your business. However, they will increase brand awareness and pay homage to those who served.

5. Run a Beneficial Campaign

To increase the amount you donate and implement Veterans Day advertising techniques, run a sale that donates a portion of the profits to a veteran organization. You can either donate to veterans in general or focus on a specific population that your audience cares about. For example, if your audience is mostly young women, you might want to run a promotion that donates to women who have been sexually assaulted during their time in service.

If your business serves mostly local clients, donate some of your profits to a local veteran charity.

And don’t forget, you don’t have to wait until Veterans Day to help out. While Veterans Day is a great opportunity to donate, vets around the country can use your help anytime. Plus, it could be a smart business move to appeal to vets and their families all year round.

Here are a few veterans’ organizations and charities to look into:

• AMVETS National Service Foundation
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust
• Homes for Our Troops
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
• Wounded Warriors Project

6. Host a Fundraising Event

Effective advertising techniques draw positive attention to your company. When you host a fundraising event, you have the opportunity to showcase what your company does while you raise money for veterans.

Fundraising events can either take place online or in-person. In the weeks leading up to the event, take the time to send out announcements and invitations to your mailing list. You’ll also want to contact the press and ask them to cover the event. To attract more people, invite prominent people to give speeches. You can even raffle off a new or hot-selling product and donate the profits!

7. Send a Simple Thank You

You doubtless have veterans in your audience. So, honor them on Veteran’s Day by sending out a simple thank you note to those of them in the military.

Most companies do this via email, but you can do it via mail as well. When writing these messages, keep them short and well-written, and place them over a template that contains your logo.

If you’re also donating a portion of your profits or running a sale for veterans, you can also include a call-to-action.

Some businesses also send out touching gift packages to honor those who have defended freedom.

More Ways to Stand Out

As a company, you have plenty of ways to show your appreciation for military members this Veterans Day. The above Veterans Day advertising ideas are great for businesses and great for giving back to the military community. And while celebrating Veterans Day is less common compared to other holidays, it’s just as important for many American businesses.

Looking for more ways to grow your small business, beyond Veterans Day advertising ideas? We have tips on when you should be hiring as a small business (and which job sites you should use).