Modern Mars Hill

That time of year is coming up, so it's time to put out this post. I get a little annoyed when I see b usiness ads, events, or sales that are based around the time of year or an upcoming holiday, but have no connection to the actual product or service. I understand a car lot doing a Christmas sale. But a car lot doing a Halloween sale? What does Halloween have to do with cars? I just saw an hair salon ad saying "Savings you can FALL into". Literally any business can use that and it would have just as much connection as it would for a hair salon. I'm happy to have seasonal promotions. But can you please find a way to make the season relate to your product/service?

Since events are being planned with names that try to make a play on words off the word "October", I think a friendly reminder is in order. Friendly reminder: Not every one-syllable word sounds good as the first syllable of "October". Examples (not ones I've actually seen): Tropetober, Friendtober, and Greentober. Recommendation: Ask yourself "Since I'll be removing "Oc" to be putting in my word, does my word rhyme with "Oc", end with the c sound, or at least have the same "ah" sound as "Oct"?" If the answer to all of these is "no", consider renaming your event to a more natural portmanteau so that it stands out more to your audience. Instead of naming your women's-only Halloween party "Girltober", you might consider naming it "Galoween". Instead of naming your Mickey Mouse marathon "Mousetober", you might consider naming it "Haunted Mouse".