Don't Mess up Valentine's Day!

By: Brad McMullan

Question: Is it a good idea to forget to get something for your special someone on Valentine's Day?  No brainer right?  The answer for anyone (with any clue) is NO!  You better get them something for Valentine's Day or you could be alone on the 15th (not joking).  While it is a no brainer to buy something for your Valentine on Valentine's Day, it should also be a no brainer for a business to capture customer information while they shop.

This is a not a usual love story or advice column for the most romantic day of the year, instead this is an article about the unspoken love story between retailers and their customers.  Like it or not, Valentine's Day is a crucial time for some retailers.  The retailers fall in love with all the traffic at their store, because guys and girls are shopping to get a special Valentine's Day gift for their special someone.  Even my brother, Brent, who hates shopping with a passion, will be out and about in the next 24 hours picking up something for his wife Robin.  But just like every year, once the day is gone, the chance to talk with the occasional shopper or customer is gone. 

Think about it... How busy is a flower shop on February 15th?  What about a jewelry store?  Limo company?  Fine dining restaurant?  Most go back to gearing up for Mother's Day. But not if you have bfac.com business texting.  What would a retailer pay to be able to talk with all of the people who come through their door on Valentine's Day- two weeks later?  You can with bfac.com business texting. 

In 2013, people of all ages send text messages. I'm sure Cupid himself has a cell phone (heart shaped).  In fact, there are 34 million more active cell phones than people in the United States (not sure about fairies like Cupid).  And because people have their cell phone within 3 feet at all times, they are texting.  Every day, Valentine's Day included, people in the US alone send out more than 4.5 BILLION text messages (that's 3X the number of phone calls made) and according to Nielsen, 98% of those text messages are OPENED!  Yes, texting is the most powerful communication tool EVER!  

So how can a retailer take advantage of the popularity of texting with their customers?  It's simple, ask them to opt-in (text a keyword like LOVE to their bfac.com texting number).  Once they opt-in, the flower shop, gift shop, limo company, jewelry store and fine dining restaurant can now talk to them at anytime to invite them back or send them a special promotion.  If you want to use this technology within the next 24 hours, call 601-487-8824 or email text@bfac.com and someone will get you set up.  Make the Loveliest day of the year, last all year round.  Now that's what I call everlasting love!