Summer is the perfect time for brands to shine and showcase creativity. Consumers are looking for fresh and exciting new trends, and the right marketing strategies can put your brand in the spotlight. Here are some creative ways to make your e-commerce brand stand out this summer.

User-Generated Content (UGC)

Summer is the season of vacations, festivals, and outdoor activities. Encourage your customers to share photos of themselves with your products or clothing on social media. This can be done through social media contests where customers can win a prize by sharing their summer outfits with a specific hashtag. UGC provides authentic content that enhances trust in your brand and showcases your products in action. Content creators can then promote your products from various sunny destinations across different channels. In addition, advertising with UGC content is a strong way to create greater reach with authentic content. We see strong results of this at The Dot Society.

An example of GoPro: During the summer, GoPro launched the #GoProSummer campaign, encouraging users to share their adventure videos and photos captured with GoPro cameras. Participants used the hashtag #GoProSummer to showcase their summer experiences, ranging from surfing and hiking to festivals and road trips. This campaign generated a vast amount of authentic content from their customers and highlighted the versatility and durability of GoPro cameras in various summer activities.

Seasonal Collections & Limited Editions

Create special summer collections or limited editions that align with the current season’s trends. Think of lightweight fabrics, vibrant colours, and summer prints. Utilize exclusivity by offering a limited quantity, increasing the urgency for customers to make a quick purchase.It is important to focus on “high summer items” during summer, but when the weather is not so good, it is also important to adjust your communication accordingly. E.g., betting on raincoats during festival season when it’s going to rain. 

Example: H&M Coachella Collection: H&M launched a special collection inspired by the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, featuring bohemian styles and festival essentials. This collection capitalized on the summer festival season and appealed to a young, fashion-forward demographic.

Pop-Up Shops & Events

Despite being an e-commerce business, physical pop-up shops and events can be a great way to engage directly with customers. Organize a summer pop-up shop in a popular location. This allows customers to see and try on your products in person, potentially boosting online sales and brand awareness.

Example: Lululemon’s Yoga in the Park Events: Lululemon organized “Yoga in the Park” events during the summer season, offering free yoga classes in outdoor settings. These community-focused events not only promoted Lululemon’s activewear but also reinforced its brand ethos of promoting health and wellness during the summer months.

Website Optimization

Curate a collection on your website featuring carefully selected outfits or accessories perfect for various summer activities. Include different outfits suitable for going to the beach, attending festivals, etc. Align with the festival theme from WeCanDance in Belgium. Bundles can help customers put together a complete look and often offer better value, providing an extra incentive to make a purchase.

By implementing these creative strategies, your e-commerce brand can truly stand out this summer. It’s all about offering a unique, engaging, and authentic experience that resonates with your target audience. Good luck!