Ahh, the month of resolutions. This is the time when habits are made or broken, goals are set and tried, and the feeling of accomplishment that comes from progress can set the course for the entire year. So if one of your goals is to pump some creativity into your marketing ideas, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ll lay out some of our customers’ most popular ideas, so feel free to either copy or improve on each!

Health comes first

If a healthy lifestyle is a part of your business, this is your month to shine. Losing weight is the number one New Year’s resolution. Encourage healthy living by promoting your healthy solutions.

For the strong

If healthy living is not part of your business, that’s OK. Only 8% of people achieve their new year’s resolution anyway. Why not give an 8% discount in honor of the 8% of people that follow through?

For the rest of us

January 17th is known to some as Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day. Send out an invitation or offer a promotion to those who have thrown in the towel. Make sure customers are trashing their goals with you.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

The third Monday of January is a day many have off work (US Holiday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day). This would be a great day for family specials or even a shout out for service, vision and equality. In 2020, this is January 20; in 2021, January 18; and in 2022, January 17.

Cold days, warm invitations

Watch out for cold January days and take advantage by making sure you invite customers to come into your location and stay warm.

The big game

Down, set, hike! Most Super Bowls land the first week of February, but it makes sense to warm up, even tying in the playoffs for some fun football action.

Amazing astrology

The zodiac signs for January are Capricorn and Aquarius. Let’s treat them extra special this month with birthday offers that will bring them in.

Puzzle Day

Yes, you read that right. January 29 is Puzzle Day, so offer up some trivia, riddle or challenge to customers, asking them to come in and share the answer for a special discount or item.

Birthday bash

One idea you might try is to celebrate particular celebrities’ birthdays. Search “January celebrity birthdays” and see what pops up. For example:

• January 29: Tom Selleck — Any customer with a mustache gets 20% off.
• January 26: Ellen DeGeneres — Wear white sneakers and get a free ______.
• January 17: Jim Carrey — Dress as your favorite Jim Carrey character and get your picture on the wall.
• January 31: Jackie Robinson — Come in for baseball trivia and a celebration of civil rights.

You get the idea. Look at the list and see what ideas pop up.

Hopefully our list of creative marketing ideas in January has sparked some ideas. You’d be surprised what you can come up with when you get those creative juices flowing.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2015 and has been regularly updated to keep it fresh, helpful and accurate.