It’s May, a time of year when moms are looking forward to the end of school, the start of summer and a more relaxed schedule. Back to school is typically not a topic of conversation with moms at this time of year. However, May is a very different story for the moms of more than 3.2 million high school students who have graduated or will graduate over the next couple of weeks. Brands that target moms of college students and their GenZ co-eds have a valuable opportunity to tap into this enthusiastic consumer segment through BSM Media programs like Social Spotters, video product reviews and much more. Brands with college-worthy products available on Amazon can amplify exposure through BSM Media’s exclusive video review program on Amazon.

Around the halls of BSM Media, we call the opportunity Back to College and it begins on May 1^st, the day that most colleges and universities require a commitment for accepted students. According to BSM Media research, an average of $800 worth of dorm- and college-bound products are purchased in the time between the days that acceptance letters go out to the day of high school commencement exercises. Moms and college bound students are both mutually excited about the next phase of life and ready to become part of the college community.

May is a great time for technology, dorm organization and dorm décor companies to launch their Back to Campus marketing and engagement. In 2016, BSM Media created and executed a successful campaign for At Home stores with a signature event called National College Move-In Week. Influencer marketing campaigns, in-store events and guerilla marketing tactics on college campuses were just a few of the online and offline efforts that drove traffic to At Home stores and built brand awareness on social media, to the tune of millions of impressions and engagements for the brand. Here are just a few ideas to take advantage of the money moms are spending getting their students ready for dorm and apartment life.

• Graduation gifting: It’s a great time to use social media to suggest graduation gifts, not only to moms but also grandparents, aunts and siblings. Food providers like Chipotle, Five Guys and Starbucks have the opportunity to push gift card sales.
• Technology: Every mom wants to send her student off to college with the newest technology and those large purchases make sense for gifting around graduation.   If you offer a college student discount, now is the time to communicate and perhaps extend it to students with acceptance letters. Retail sharing tactics are proven tools to reach collegiate consumers and their parents.
• Pinterest Shopping: Time to beef up Pinterest boards. Students are eager to plan the look of their dorm room or apartment. They are searching now for ideas. Create boards that incorporate your product into the dorm or apartment environment.

Moms and their college-bound students are shopping now through move-in week in the fall. There is still time to implement BSM Media tactics. It’s an exciting time for students and parents, and a valuable opportunity for brands.

When marketing to moms, most marketers think about a sales calendar and plan for the obvious peaks. However, there are many more opportunities to tap into moms’ spending budgets other than Christmas, Back to School and Easter. BSM Media knows what’s on moms’ minds and what’s on their to-do lists now to help you leverage opportunities to grow your brand’s bottom line.

BSM Media offers several tactics that don’t require a huge spend on ad campaigns or a long lead, including Social Spotters, video reviews, social media tours and Twitter Parties that leverage the speed and flexibility inherent in social media. Social media campaigns also convey a valuable message that resonates with today’s busy moms: brands that understand the “Mom Calendar” are brands that understand moms.

From now through July, start speaking to the circles on moms’ calendars with these opportunities:

1. School Parties and Teacher Gifts: The end of the school year is right around the corner, which means end-of-year celebrations. For brands that offer catering and party supply items, this is a great opportunity to offer easy solutions for moms to organize class parties. Teacher gifts are also a popular topic in the carpool line. Brand alignments in this category are abundant. Think pampering gifts, pool or beach items, gift cards for restaurants and clothing brands, etc. BSM Media’s Social Spotters program drives traffic to retail locations where mom influencers will highlight party and gift ideas for almost any product imaginable.
2. Kindergarten graduation: Millennial Moms celebrate everything and this is certainly a big milestone. This youngest generation of moms is spending on gifts, photo items, clothing and food for celebrations around this special day.
3. Back to Campus: May and June are busy months as many high school seniors commit to their colleges of choice. It’s an exciting time for both college-bound millennials and their parents. The excitement leads to college dorm and apartment shopping, to the tune of $800 average per student based on a survey by BSM Media. Research also shows that 48% of all college décor items are purchased in May and June by parents and students eager to prepare for their new home away from home. If you are a brand with an interest in Back to Campus sales, BSM Media can help you reach college-bound millennials.
4. Summer Stockpiling: Every mom is looking forward to warmer weather and many are now preparing for summer activities. Moms in Florida typically fill Easter baskets with bathing suits and beach towels along with chocolate bunnies. Having known this last week would have opened the door to unique marketing opportunities. It’s not too late as northern moms are just ramping up their summer spending now looking for spring attire, bathing suits and flip flops for their families. They are also looking for organizational items to store winter coats and warm clothing.
5. Outdoor Dining: Moms change their cooking habits when the weather warms up and school ends for summer break. Families turn to the grill and outdoor dining. If you are a food brand that lends itself to grilling, share recipes on your Facebook page and engage moms to share with other followers.
6. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day: These are not exactly non-peak holidays, considering that US spending on Mother’s Day reached $24.6 billion and Father’s Day topped $14.3 billion (National Retail Federation) in 2016. Brand opportunities are too lengthy to list; you know who you are if your brand appeals to moms and dads.

It’s all about knowing what moms are doing in their day-to-day lives. While peak holidays are critical, taking a good look at moms’ calendars is an excellent way to capitalize on non-peak but equally important holidays that can boost brand awareness and the bottom line.

For information on nimble and effective programs with BSM Media, please email LauraMotsett@bsmmedia.com.