Catching the Olympics Fever

Every four years the sports enthusiasts and even the not-so-enthusiasts around the world are spurred into a patriotic frenzy over the summer Olympics. Regardless of whether or not they’ve ever swung on parallel bars, or participated in synchronized swimming, people around the world are mysteriously attracted towards this ancient tradition of sports and games; and because of its flitting duration, the desirableness of anything and everything related to the Olympics quadruples. As a small company, there are many ways to take part in the games, and make it profitable for your business at the same time!

Here are some tips on how to capitalize on the Olympic spirit and channel it towards your business:

1)      Introduce promotions related to the Olympics, such as 10% on all purchases next week if so-and-so grabs the gold.

2)      Offer limited-time only products related to the Olympics, such as Red, White and Blue ice cream.

3)      Decorate your store with flags, posters of athletes, medals, etc.

4)      Have your television tuned in to Olympic broadcasts to generate in-store spirit and increase foot-traffic

5)      Host Olympics-related events such as mini “games” for kids where they compete in various activities, such as coloring, hula-hooping, etc.

6)      Tweet encouraging words to the Olympics team or rejoice over accomplishments via social media

7)      Have employees wear sports-related clothing or red, white and blue color schemes

Do be careful with your advertising; however, official Olympics promotions are copyrighted! Small businesses that do not have a PR firm cannot use the following in their promotions:

• Olympic and Paralympic symbols
• The London 2012 mascots
• The words ‘London 2012’
• The Olympic motto ‘Faster Higher Stronger’
• The words ‘games’ and ‘two thousand and twelve/2012/twenty twelve’ may not be used in combination with each other or with ‘gold’, ‘silver’, bronze’, ‘London’, ‘medals’, ‘sponsor’, or ‘summer’

There are countless ways to get into the summer Olympics spirit, just be sure you are not violating any copyrights in your promotions!

Will you be promoting your business during the Olympics? If so, how?

Written by: Anna Han