It’s already August! Summer days and heat are still here, but it’s time to begin planning for fall events and holiday season madness. So, with a cold drink in hand and your flip flops nearby, focus on how your year will end with these August writing and promotion ideas.
 
State and Local Fairs
Many state and local fairs are held in August, stretching into the early fall. These are a great way to market your business and services by setting up a booth. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to state fairs for the rides, games, food, shows, and exhibits. If your state or area fair is coming up soon, find out how you can take advantage of opportunities they offer.
Often you can set up a booth in the business section and offer a drawing for nice prizes, or give away books or promotional materials. This is great for harvesting leads and having conversations with interested passersby. Also, you may have options to sponsor an event or game at the fair that will draw additional crowds. They can also be given an opportunity to register for a prize in addition to enjoying your event or activity.
 
Labor Day Promotions (September 2)
Labor Day is a big end-of-summer holiday and now is the time to begin preparing for it. It’s important to participate in the sales frenzy during this time. Start marketing for your specific promotions in the end of August to generate excitement and exposure. Need some suggestions? Try running a Facebook giveaway or contest.
 
Kids are Back in School
Most schools begin in early August, and there are lots of ways to participate, even if your business isn’t directly related to school or kids. Include parents in your promotional efforts. After all, they are the ones spending the money. Consider partnering with another business that is more directly related to back-to-school themes and offer a combined special.
Schools are always looking for sponsors for events, sporting teams, or programs. School systems rarely provide enough funding. Offer to sponsor an event, program, or team in exchange for some publicity. Most schools proudly share their local partners and sponsors.
 
Advance Holiday Planning
August 2019 contains no federal or major holidays, but that just means there is more time for your holiday season business planning. Labor Day (September 2) signals the beginning of fall and the holiday season. Plan ahead for the following promotions:
 

• Labor Day
• Columbus Day (October 14)
• Halloween (October 31)
• Veteran’s Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (November 28)
• Black Friday (November 29)
• Small Business Saturday (November 30)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• New Year’s Eve – Day (December 31 – January 1)

 
Birthdays
August 1, 1779- Francis Scott Key, author of the national anthem
August 1, 1819- Herman Melville, novelist
August 2, 1924- James Baldwin, author, playwright
August 3, 1926- Tony Bennett, singer
August 3, 1941- Martha Stewart
August 4, 1901- Louis Armstrong, jazz trumpeter
August 4, 1961- Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President
August 4, 1971- Jeff Gordon, auto racer
August 5, 1930- Neil Armstrong, 1st to walk on the moon.
August 6, 1809- Alfred, Lord Tennyson, poet
August 6, 1911- Lucille Ball, actress, comedian
August 6, 1917- Robert Mitchum, actor
August 8, 1937- Dustin Hoffman, actor
August 8, 1949- Keith Carradine, actor, singer
August 8, 1953- Donny Most, “Ralph Malph” on TV series “Happy Days”
August 9, 1944- Sam Elliott, actor
August 10, 1874- Herbert Hoover, 31st U.S. President (1929-1933)
August 11, 1953- Hulk Hogan, WWF wrestler
August 12, 1881- Cecil B. DeMille, producer,
August 13, 1899- Alfred Hitchcock, director
August 14, 1947- Danielle Steel, romance novelist
August 14, 1950- Gary Larson, cartoonist, created “The Far Side”
August 15, 1769- Napoleon Bonaparte, French military emperor
August 15, 1972- Ben Affleck, actor
August 16, 1954- James Cameron, director
August 16, 1960- Timothy Hutton, actor
August 17, 1786- Davy Crockett, frontiersman, adventurer, soldier
August 17, 1882- Samuel Goldwyn, film pioneer, producer
August 17, 1920- Maureen O’Hara, actress
August 18, 1954- Patrick Swayze, actor, dancer, “Dirty Dancing”
August 19, 1946- Bill Clinton, 42nd U.S. President (1993-2000)
August 20, 1833- Benjamin Harrison, 23rd U.S. President (1889-1893)
August 21, 1936- Wilt Chamberlain, NBA basketball player
August 21, 1938- Kenny Rogers, singer, actor
August 22, 1920 -Ray Bradbury, science fiction writer
August 23, 1912- Gene Kelly, actor, dancer
August 23, 1929- Vera Miles, actress
August 24, 1960- Cal Ripken Jr., Ironman baseball player, played in 2,643 consecutive games
August 25, 1930- Sean Connery, actor, “James Bond”
August 25, 1933- Tom Skerritt, actor
August 27, 1908- Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th U.S. President (1963-1969)
August 27, 1910- Mother Teresa, nun, founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity
August 28, 1749- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, author, poet, philosopher
August 28, 1828- Leo Tolstoy, author, “War and Peace”
August 29, 1915- Ingrid Bergman, actress
August 29, 1958- Michael Jackson, singer, songwriter
August 30, 1930- Warren Buffett, investor
August 31, 1897- Frederic March, actor
August 31, 1928- James Coburn, actor
August 31, 1935- Frank Robinson, baseball player, manager
August 31, 1945 Van Morrison, singer,
August 31, 1949- Richard Gere, actor, “Pretty Woman”
 
How do you plan to spend your remaining August days? How can you leverage local or national holiday events or happenings to attract customers and grow your business? Share them in the comments and of course, share them with your readers! Until next month, eat a funnel cake at the fair, start planning for holiday promotions, and as always, keep writing!